Update from the Selectboard - October 2019
Dear Residents,
The Selectboard would like to give you an update on some of the things that have been going on in Town. We have two stabilization projects that are underway. The public safety stabilization project is furthest along. The Selectboard just authorized the Town Administrator to sign a contract with P & P General Contractors to begin the repairs. P&P’s bid came in higher than expected and the amount authorized by voters at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting is insufficient. The Selectboard voted to hold a Special Town Meeting on November 21 at 7 pm and to ask voters to authorize the transfer of funds to pay for this project.
The architects who are designing the stabilization work needed for Bagg Hall recently met with representatives from the Environmental Action Committee and the Historical Commission to bring them up to speed on where they are and answer questions. The team involved with this project expects to bring it to bid by late January.
The work on the gazebo that was authorized at Town Meeting has not yet begun. There was some discussion about whether to use the same roofing materials as there currently or switch to something less expensive and easier to install. Because of the location of the gazebo on the historically significant Town Common, the Selectboard encouraged the team to stick with the original type of roofing materials.
The group of staff and residents working on bringing initial designs for a new public safety building to the Town received five responses to its Request for Qualifications. After interviewing three of the five responding firms, the group chose to make a recommendation to the Selectboard to award the contract to Caolo & Bieniek. The group will schedule several meetings over the winter for presenting three options to the Town and answering questions. The goal is to bring these options to a Town Meeting and seek funds for design and construction documents for the Town’s preferred design.
As part of the Selectboard’s continuing outreach efforts, Adam King, a senior at Wachusett, was selected as this year’s student representative on the Selectboard. Adam is passionate about government and eager to learn. The Board held a breakfast with board and committee chairs earlier this month. It was a great opportunity for everyone to hear a bit about what is going on in the other committees. Though not all boards and committees were represented, there was a good turnout and participants encouraged the Selectboard to make this a regular event. The Board also held a breakfast for seniors in conjunction with the Council on Aging. This was well received by the twenty people who attended and gave the Selectboard a chance to talk with many of our seniors.
The rebuilding of Calamint Hill Rd North was completed this month. The new drainage and pavement should make for an easier winter for residents and the DPW. The Route 140 project is close to being put on hold for the winter. It is slated for completion next year. Many residents have expressed concern about the roundabout. The Road Advisory Committee, engineers, contractors, police, and Town Administrator are working together to improve signage and compliance. Though the roundabout won’t be complete until next year, all involved understand the importance of making it work now. The group will be making incremental changes throughout the winter as more is learned about how the roundabout is being used.
At the breakfast with the board and committee chairs, the Interim Town Administrator updated attendees on a situation with Old Mill Rd. A resident has come before the Planning Board seeking approval for four lots near the Rutland line. For the planning board to give approval, the road must be an accepted way and the road must provide adequate access to the lots. The resident, his attorney, Town Counsel, and the Planning Board Chair met to review historical records and it appears the road is an accepted Town way. The resident has expressed his intention to sell the land to Worcester for watershed protection at a reasonable profit. If the resident changes his mind, the Town may be obligated to bring the road up to a certain standard.
Our new Town Administrator, Sherry Patch, has arrived and is coming up to speed. Sherry attended the Selectboard’s breakfast with the seniors and looks forward to more opportunities to meet residents. She takes over from Interim TA Rick White who was a good steward of the position and worked well with staff, the Selectboard, and others. Rick has made himself available to Sherry on an as-needed basis.