The Board of Selectmen voted to consolidate the Town election originally planned for Tuesday, May 4 with the special election that has been called to fill the vacancy in the state Senate seat formerly held by Scott Brown set for Tuesday, May 11. The special election has necessitated a delay in the previously announced start of Annual Town Meeting from Monday, May 10 to Thursday, May 13. It is expected that adjourned sessions of Town Meeting will be held the following week beginning on Monday, May 17 and continuing as necessary on Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20. The Board agreed to make extensive efforts to publicize the process voters can expect to complete the separate ballots for the state Senate election and the Town election ballot.
Selectmen also receive a recommendation from the Finance Committee concerning borrowing for the recommended capital budget. The Finance Committee has proposed a debt exclusion question for $2,350,000 for school technology, a street sweeper and playing field renovations for DPW, paving roads within North Cemetery, capital maintenance repairs to various town buildings, and funds to complete the renovation of the bath house at Town Beach. In keeping with the Board's policy for considering Prop. 2 1/2 ballot questions, the Board will hear a presentation of the projects, the Town's fiscal condition, and impact of the project financing requirements from the Finance Committee on March 22 as part of the regular meeting agenda. The Board is expected to decide on March 31 whether to include the ballot question on the Town election ballot. Available online is the Finance Committee recommended FY2011 budget presentation (operating and capital budgets).
The Board held a joint meeting with members of the Wastewater Management District Commission to review plans for the construction of the new treatment facility. The two boards agreed to work cooperatively and set a timetable to resolve siting issues for the new wastewater treatment facility to be constructed within the Town Center parcel, including easements for the outflow pipe, stormwater drainage, temporary construction, and utilities. Discussion continued on the timing of borrowing funds authorized at the 2008 and 2009 Annual Town Meetings and the actual construction of the facility. The committees agreed to meet again on March 31.
Fred Turkington
Town Administrator
