Westborough Today
Hurricane Preparedness note from Congressman McGovern
(The following received via email at 3:51 PM EDT from Congressman Jim McGovern's mailing list; see http://mcgovern.house.gov/ to subscribe -- webmaster)
Dear Friend,
This weekend, as we prepare in Massachusetts and all along the East Coast for Hurricane Irene to hit land, there are some excellent resources to ensure you are ready for whatever comes our way.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth; more information is available at Mass.gov.
Be sure to print this article and information from the following resources, in the event you cannot access it after the storm.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE STORM:
Track the Storm: Track Hurricane Irene on NOAA's website, or follow them on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov) or Twitter (@usnoaagov) to get updates.
Hurricane Checklist: Review the American Red Cross' Hurricane Safety Checklist to prepare for the next several days.Create an Emergency Kit: Use this Ready.gov checklist to ensure you have all of the needed supplies at hand.
Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with local authorities by listening to your local broadcast media, or by visiting Mass.gov and Ready.gov.
Mobile FEMA: FEMA's Mobile site (http://m.fema.gov/) is an excellent way to stay up-to-date if you are away from home or unable to connect to the internet through your computer.
Be prepared for power outages during and after the storm:
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has the following tips for dealing with a possible power outage:
- Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries on hand. A radio is an important source of critical weather and emergency information during a storm.
- If your water supply could be affected by a power outage (a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water. Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water. Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet.
- Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door unnecessarily. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).
- If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when using a generator. Always use outdoors, away from windows and doors. Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly accumulate indoors. Never try to power your house by plugging the generator directly into household wiring, a practice known as “backfeeding.” This is extremely dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
- In order to protect against possible voltage irregularities that can occur when power is restored, you should unplug all sensitive electronic equipment, including TVs, computers, stereo, DVR, VCR, microwave oven, cordless telephone, answering machine and garage door opener. (Review the process for manually operating your electric garage door.)
- Be extra cautious when you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm. Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by trees or debris, and could be live. Never attempt to touch or move downed lines, and keep children and pets away from them. Do not touch anything power lines are touching, such as tree branches or fences. Always assume a downed line is a live line. Call your utility company to report any outage-related problem.
Be safe this weekend, and if you have neighbors who may need help getting prepared, please take a few minutes to check on them or help them with their efforts as well.
Sincerely,
Congressman Jim McGovern
Happy Memorial Day 2011!
Tornado watch issued for our area (Wed June 1 2011)
From the National Weather Service for Westborough, MA link:
Tornado Watch
Special Weather Statement
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Special Weather Statement
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
1051 AM EDT WED JUN 1 2011
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>021-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>007-012100-
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-
EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-
NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-
EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...UNION...
VERNON...PUTNAM...WILLIMANTIC...CHARLEMONT...GREENFIELD...
ORANGE...BARRE...FITCHBURG...FRAMINGHAM...LOWELL...LAWRENCE...
GLOUCESTER...CHESTERFIELD...BLANDFORD...AMHERST...NORTHAMPTON...
SPRINGFIELD...MILFORD...WORCESTER...FOXBORO...NORWOOD...
CAMBRIDGE...BOSTON...QUINCY...TAUNTON...BROCKTON...PLYMOUTH...
FALL RIVER...NEW BEDFORD...MATTAPOISETT...AYER...JAFFREY...
KEENE...MANCHESTER...NASHUA...PETERBOROUGH...WEARE...FOSTER...
SMITHFIELD...PROVIDENCE...WEST GREENWICH...WARWICK...BRISTOL...
NARRAGANSETT...WESTERLY...NEWPORT
1051 AM EDT WED JUN 1 2011
...THREAT OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS MOST OF THE REGION THIS
AFTERNOON AND EVENING
A COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH FROM NEW YORK STATE THIS AFTERNOON. THERE
WILL BE A LOW PROBABILITY OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING
ACROSS THE REGION EXCEPT FOR CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS.
THUNDERSTORMS WILL APPROACH SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE AND WESTERN
MASSACHUSETTS BY 1 TO 2 PM...THEN WILL PUSH EASTWARD THROUGH THE
REST OF THE AFTERNOON...REACHING THE BOSTON TO PROVIDENCE CORRIDOR
BY 4 TO 5 PM.
THE MAIN THREATS FROM ANY POSSIBLE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE
DAMAGING WINDS AND LARGE HAIL. TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE
REQUESTED TO WATCH OUT FOR CONDITIONS THAT REACH REPORTABLE
CRITERIA AND CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
$$
EVT
Tornado Watch
TORNADO WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WT 411
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
100 PM EDT WED JUN 1 2011
TORNADO WATCH 411 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 PM EDT FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
MAC009-011-013-015-017-021-025-027-020000-
/O.NEW.KWNS.TO.A.0411.110601T1700Z-110602T0000Z/
MA
. MASSACHUSETTS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
ESSEX FRANKLIN HAMPDEN
HAMPSHIRE MIDDLESEX NORFOLK
SUFFOLK WORCESTER
$$
Hazardous Weather Outlook
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOKAdd a comment
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA
410 AM EDT WED JUN 1 2011
CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-020815-
HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-
EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-
WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-
WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-
SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-
SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-
WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-
SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-NANTUCKET MA-
NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-
WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-
SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-
WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-BLOCK ISLAND RI-
410 AM EDT WED JUN 1 2011
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN
CONNECTICUT...CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS...EASTERN
MASSACHUSETTS...NORTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHEASTERN
MASSACHUSETTS...WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS...SOUTHERN NEW
HAMPSHIRE...NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND AND SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND.
.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.
THERE IS A LOW PROBABILITY OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND
EARLY EVENING. THE MAIN THREATS ARE STRONG TO DAMAGING WINDS AND
LARGE HAIL. THE BEST CHANCE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE ACROSS
INTERIOR SECTIONS.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.
NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
$$
2011 Spring Town Meeting Warrant
[This summary from "Report and Recommendations of the Advisory Finance Committee to the ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MAY 14, 2011 (FY2012)", fetched 5/13/2011 from this document on the town site. Additional highlights are mine, to identify differences from "so vote" recommendations. -- webmaster ]
Recommendations of the Advisory Finance Committee
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
May 14, 2011
To bring in their votes for:
One (1) Moderator (3 years)
One (1) Selectman (3 years)
One (1) Planning Board member (5 years)
Two (2) School Committee members (3 years)
Three (3) Trustees of Public Library (3 years)
Two (2) Westborough Housing Authority Members (5 years)
Polls will be open from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. in the following places:
Precinct l - Gibbons Middle School Gym, 20 Fisher Street
Precinct 2 - Hastings Elementary School Gym, 111 East Main Street
Precinct 3 - Gibbons Middle School Gym, 20 Fisher Street
Precinct 4 - Mill Pond Intermediate School Gym, 6 Olde Hickory Path
Precinct 5 - Mill Pond Intermediate School Gym, 6 Olde Hickory Path
And to act on the following articles at the adjourned session of said meeting on May 14, 2011, at
1:00 P.M. in the Westborough High School Auditorium and Gymnasium on West Main Street.
Article 1: As voted by the electorate.
ARTICLE 2: Rule of the Meeting (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to adopt a Rule of the Meeting, applicable to this Town Meeting
only, such that after all other votes and reconsideration from the floor are complete, and if the
size of the appropriations voted appear to make necessary a ballot override vote (either levy,
capital outlay or debt exclusion) under MGL Ch 59 s. 21C (“Proposition 2½”), then the
conditions for reconsideration shall be deemed to have been met, and the moderator shall accept
motions for reconsideration on any appropriation but from the Advisory Finance Committee
only, for the purpose of reducing certain appropriations or all appropriations to meet the limits of
Proposition 2½, or for the purpose of making certain appropriations contingent upon an override
vote, or to take any other action thereon.
Article 2: We recommend the Town so vote. (6-0-0)6
6 In this Report and Recommendations, votes are shown in the format (x-y-z) where x is the number of votes in
support of the stated recommendation, y is the number of votes opposed to the recommendation, and z is the number
of members abstaining from the vote.
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The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
ARTICLE 3: Town Reports (Advisory Finance Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to hear the reports of the several town officers and committees, and
to dissolve any committees established by Town Meeting that have fulfilled their mission, or to
take any other action thereon.
Article 3: We recommend the Town vote to receive the reports of the various officers and
committees and that the report of the Advisory Finance Committee be acted upon item by
item under the various articles of the warrant. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
ARTICLE 4: Fiscal Year 2011 Budget Transfers (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of
money to fund contract settlements with certain town employee groups and any other FY2011
operating budget transfers, or take any other action thereon.
Article 4: We recommend the Town vote to transfer from Free Cash $49,113 and transfer
$5,643 from Water Retained Earnings and transfer $9,100 from Sewer Retained Earnings
for the purpose of this article. (7-0-1)
The funds transferred in this article are noted in the ‘Art. #4 2011 ATM Transfer’ column (H)
shown in the budget table that accompanies Article 6 to identify where the funds are being
applied to the Fiscal Year 2011 budget.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would fund the contracts with the Public Works
($30,954) and Clerical Unions ($20,862) whose contracts expired on June 30, 2010 as well as
any other transfers ($3,090 DPW Manager and $10,000 for street lights).
ARTICLE 5: Amend Wage and Salary Schedule (Personnel Board)
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Salary Administration Plan by replacing the current
plan, Section 1-A; 1-B (Wage and Salary Schedule, Non-Union and Section V (Special Rate
Section) with the following new schedules effective July 1, 2011:
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Grade 1-A SALARY RATE FY2012 NON-UNION
S-30 1788 1879 1972 2068 2173 2281 2396
S-26 1471 1544 1621 1703 1788 1879 1972
S-25 1400 1471 1544 1621 1703 1788 1879
S-24 1333 1400 1471 1544 1621 1703 1788
S-23 1272 1333 1400 1471 1544 1621 1703
S-22 1210 1272 1333 1400 1471 1544 1621
S-21 1150 1210 1272 1333 1400 1471 1544
S-20 1099 1150 1210 1272 1333 1400 1471
S-19 1044 1099 1150 1210 1272 1333 1400
S-18 995 1044 1099 1150 1210 1272 1333
S-17 949 995 1044 1099 1150 1210 1272
S-16 903 949 995 1044 1099 1150 1210
S-15 860 903 949 995 1044 1099 1150
S-14 819 860 903 949 995 1044 1099
S-13 781 819 860 903 949 995 1044
S-12 743 781 819 860 903 949 995
S-11 708 743 781 819 860 903 949
Grade 1-B HOURLY RATE FY2012 NON-UNION
H-10 17.62 18.48 19.42 20.42 21.39 22.50 23.57
H-9 16.77 17.62 18.48 19.42 20.42 21.39 22.50
H-8 15.96 16.77 17.62 18.48 19.42 20.42 21.39
H-7 15.19 15.96 16.77 17.62 18.48 19.42 20.42
H-6 14.49 15.19 15.96 16.77 17.62 18.48 19.42
H-5 13.77 14.49 15.19 15.96 16.77 17.62 18.48
H-4 13.14 13.77 14.49 15.19 15.96 16.77 17.62
H-3 12.51 13.14 13.77 14.49 15.19 15.96 16.77
H-2 11.93 12.51 13.14 13.77 14.49 15.19 15.96
H-1 11.38 11.93 12.51 13.14 13.77 14.49 15.19
Veterans Agent / Director of Veterans Services $ 15,837
Asst Veterans Agent / Director of Veterans Services $ 1,000
SPECIAL RATE SCHEDULE - FY2012
Or take any other action thereon.
Article 5: We recommend the Town so vote. (5-1-0)
This article adds 1% to each item in the current non-union salary/wage table and results in the
new table shown above. This 1% increase to the amounts in the table is in line with recently
negotiated union contracts.
The Personnel Board has provided us with the following information:
- • This non-union salary/wage table covers 54 employees.
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- • Of those 54 employees, 29 are full-time employees and 25 are part-time employees.
- • 33 of the 54 employees are at the ‘Max’ step: 24 full-time and 9 part-time.
- • The cost of this change for FY2012 is $25,700 and is already reflected in Article 6
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would fund a 1.0% Cost of Living Adjustment for nonunion
town staff. In the current fiscal year, non-union town staff received no Cost of Living
Adjustment.
ARTICLE 6: Fiscal Year 2012 Operating Budgets (Advisory Finance Committee)
To see what sums the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds for
the support of the several offices, departments, boards and commissions of the Town of
Westborough for Fiscal Year 2012 beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2012, or to take
any other action thereon.
Article 6: We recommend the Town vote the following budget items according to the
motion made at Town Meeting:
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[See our saved copy of the original pdf for the budget tables printed with this article -- webmaster ]
26FY2012 Budget End Notes
The operating budget reflects an increase for FY2012 of 4.8%. Remarks are footnoted by Department below.
1. Elected Salaries for Selectmen, Town Clerk, & Elections & Registration: Massachusetts General Laws require a separate vote to appropriate
funds for the salaries of elected officials.
2. The following contracted salaries are included in this budget: Town Manager ($131,300, plus performance bonus $5,000), Fire Chief ($128,217),
Police Chief ($127,742) and the DPW Manager ($107,182). The DPW Manager’s salary is paid from three budgets: 34% from DPW; 33% from
Water Enterprise; 33% from Sewer Enterprise. These contracts are approved by the Board of Selectmen.
3. Selectmen’s Wage & Salary Budget reflects a replacement hire for the Assistant Town Manager position at a lower step and salary (S-21
$62,058).
4. Selectmen’s Expense Budget reflects a reduction in advertising costs by electronic posting of advertisements and a reduction in association
memberships from 7 to 5.
5. Salary & Wage budgets for ALL departments include a step increase for employees who are not at maximum, plus a 1% increase for non-union
personnel if Article 5 is approved by Town Meeting, or the increases agreed to by existing contracts with union employees.
6. Reduction of $16,500 in the Treasurer/ Collector’s expense budget reflects a savings in the change from weekly to bi-weekly payroll.
7. Legal Budget: The department has been reducing the use of outside legal services. (At the end of FY10, there was just over $10,000 unused in
that account; as of April 28, 2011, only $9,008 has been used in FY11.) The Town Manager requested an increase of $385 for account 5243,
which the Committee has supported. The Selectmen voted to recommend an additional $1,200 for the legal expense budget, which the
Committee instead believes can be accommodated in our recommendation. In making its recommendation, the Committee contemplates that
funds can be appropriated as follows:
5219A Legal Services (outside counsel) $ 43,185
5243 Miscellaneous (books, travel, conference) 5,515
$ 48,700
8. Personnel Board: An annual cash grant to a disabled former employee has been discontinued due to his death.
9. MIS/GIS: Increase reflects the cost of an AmbuPro EMS software license for the Fire/Ambulance Department ($12,500).
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10. Communications: Reflects an increase of $5,600 in equipment lease and maintenance and a reduction of $10,000 for Verizon telephone, wireless
via state bid.
11. Central Purchasing: Town Manager moved account Sanitary Supplies ($4,000) to Buildings & Grounds; raised Postage & Courier by $7,000;
reduced Repair/Maintenance of Vehicles by over $11,000; and will be looking to upgrade vehicles through Capital Planning.
12. Elections & Registration: FY2010 increase was for additional election (U.S. Senate seat). Fewer elections are expected in FY2012.
13. Conservation Commission: Clerical Wages for Administrative Assistant reduced to 19 hours. (Notice of Intent and advertising fee revenue
estimated at $4,850.)
14. Planning Department: Includes Assistant Planner/Conservation Officer (N18).
15. Insurance. The insurance budget for FY10 was $10,597,631 with expenditures of $9,413,592. After renegotiating the Group Health Care plans
in 2010, savings of approximately $900,000 was anticipated, and the FY11 budget amount was reduced to $9,634,386. As of April 28th,
$7,859,861 has been expended, and a balance of $1,774,524 remained. The Town Manager's FY12 budget reflects a net increase of $680,714: an
increase of $928,932 in the Group Medical Insurance account; a decrease of $70,000 in Unemployment Insurance; and a reduction of $181,218
in Liability/Workers Compensation. The Committee will continue to monitor this budget, and may recommend a reduction at the Special Town
Meeting.
16. Police Department Salaries/Wages are (generally) budgeted according to existing union contract, which includes requirements for overtime
coverage ($52,575), shift differential ($33,000); fitness ($20,250); training ($20,500) and comp time coverage ($13,300). Budget reflects
nominal increases for court time and comp time.
17. Fire/Ambulance Dept. Salaries/Wages are (generally) budgeted according to existing union contract, which includes 10 hrs pay for holidays,
coverage for training ($42,557) and stipends ($125,500), which includes fitness and education degree. In addition, Westborough’s EMT’s are
state certified and they obtain recertification per state OEMS.
18. Fire/Ambulance Expenses: Nominal increase for building & ground maintenance ($5,250). Budget includes expenses for training, recertification,
medical screening & testing, billings, and inspections. (Revenues from Ambulance services go to the General Fund, and are estimated by the
dept to be $858,670 in FY12.)
19. Animal Control: Roadway cleanup is now performed by the DPW.
20. Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School: Reduction in Westborough's student enrollment (49 to 44 students) reduced Westborough's
share of the assessment. The school is updating its curriculum for computer technology, biotechnology and health care related fields.
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21. Department of Public Works Salaries/Wages: Includes the DPW (34%) portion of the DPW Manager salary; 1/3 of salary/wages for some
employees (split between DPW, Water & Sewer budgets); Administrative Assistant hired to replace former at a reduced wage; and union
contractual increases. Operations Wages increase 4.0% from $1,007,772 in FY11 to $1,048,286 in FY12.
22. Department of Public Works Expenses: Fuel oil & heating cost reduced by $3,500 per changes made after energy audit.
23. Snow & Ice Budget: Salary/wages is for overtime pay at $142,396. Per state law, towns are not forced to raise and appropriate (tax) the
maximum amount for the worst winter. Instead, the annual appropriation is based on averages and can be deficit spent with approval of a town’s
selectmen or manager and its finance committee. Year end transfer of funds can be made from the General Reserve Fund or surplus from other
accounts to cover the deficit. FY11 deficit spending for Snow & Ice (as of April 16, 2011) was $221,836.
24. Street Lights: The FY12 budget is based on the final FY10 cost carried forward under the same KwH contract with Constellation New Energy.
25. Sanitary Landfill budget includes $630,112 for trash removal and $113,700 for recycling for a 1.2% reduced total of $743,812. It also includes
$14,000 for Hazardous Waste Day, which was previously presented as a Warrant Article. (Approximately $120,000 in local receipt revenue is
estimated from the sale of dump stickers.)
26. Health Dept.: FY12 Budget includes $5,500 for mosquito control that was previously presented as a Warrant Article.
27. Council on Aging Salaries/Wages: Two 19 hour Outreach positions were previously approved by Town Meeting; only one has been funded at 19
hours. The Council initially requested an increase from 19 hours to 35 hours for the one Outreach employee, which was not recommended in the
Town Manager’s initial budget. The Council met with the Advisory Finance Committee, explained its reasons, and proposed a smaller increase
from 19 hours to 25 hours. The Committee is sympathetic to the department’s need, and to its position that one employee at 35 hours is
preferable to two part-time employees. However, Town Meeting has not approved a 25 hour or a 35 hour position and there is no Article on the
Warrant to authorize this change. Such change would require the addition of benefits. It is unclear how many additional net hours the town
would receive in additional service after accounting for holidays and vacations. The Selectmen voted (4-0) to support a higher amount in the
Wages - Clerical account.
28. Council on Aging Expense: budget reflects an increase of $300 for repair and maintenance. The Council also requested an increase for
Homemaker contract services, from 14 hours, at $9,464 to 18 hours at $12,168. The Town Manager recommended $9,464. The Committee voted
(6-0-0) to recommend the expense budget without the increase. The Selectmen voted 4-0 to recommend the increase.
29. Youth and Family Services: Hot Summer Nights Program is now fully supported by fees and donations from community groups.
30. Library: Salary & wages include union contract increases, and step and 1% increase (if Article 5 is approved) for non-union employees. Library
Trustees requested an increase in expenses to $251,785. The Committee recommends the Town Manager’s budget amount of $247,461.
29
31. Recreation Dept Expenses are fully paid from fees for recreation programs.
32. Debt: Includes the cost of borrowing for the Treatment Plant upgrade project. The Town is working with the Water Pollution Abatement Trust on
final borrowing amounts so this budget includes estimated numbers that may be lowered at the Special Town Meeting in the fall. The costs will
be partially offset by reimbursement from other communities that share in the cost of the treatment plant. (See note 34 below.)
33. Sewer Operations: This is an Enterprise Fund account. Sewer Enterprise salary & wage account includes 1/3 of the DPW Manager's salary and
some other employees. The increase in debt reflects the borrowing for sewer projects approved at the 2010 Town Meetings.
34. Wastewater Treatment Plant: Increases reflect an estimate of the operating costs of the treatment plant once the upgrades are completed, and an
increase in contractual services based on projected CPI and PPI in September. The Committee has asked the WWTP Board to review its estimate
in the fall when the numbers are more certain, and to revise its budget if appropriate for the Special Town Meeting. Based on the current budget
estimate, reimbursement receipts from Shrewsbury (60.2%) and Hopkinton (5.2%) are estimated at $2,797,111.
35. Water Operations: This is an Enterprise Fund account. Water Enterprise salary & wage account includes 1/3 of the DPW Manager's salary and
1/3 of the wage and salary of some other employees. Water Enterprise expenses budget includes a 2.9% increase in the Contractual Services
account from $1,279,527 to $1,317, 034. The increase in debt reflects the borrowing for water projects approved at the 2010 Town Meetings.
36. The school budget increase reflects the reduction in state and federal grants partially offset through maintaining a 0% increase in the expense line
items for the 3rd year in a row, the elimination of a bus from the transportation budget, energy conservation initiatives and ongoing Special
Education restructuring. Of the $700,518 increase (approximately 1.8%) from last year’s school budget, $536,095 is for salaries and wages and
$194,409 is for contractual services. (See Chart B in the AFC Report earlier in this booklet for more information.)
A note about the ‘Earnings’ listed at the back of the Town Report: For some classifications of employees, this money includes earnings derived from
duty and detail work paid for by third parties (e.g., Verizon, National Grid). These additional earnings are over and above the employee’s salary and/or
wages and are not considered part of the salary or wages for the purpose of pension calculation.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article as per the Selectmen’s recommended budget. (4-0-0)
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ARTICLE 7: Regularly Recurring Articles (Town Manager)
To see what action the Town may take on the following items, A through G, which may be voted
as a block, or singly, or in any combination, but however voted, will be treated for accounting
purposes as if each item were voted as a separate article:
A. (Fire Department) To see if the Town will vote to reauthorize a revolving fund, pursuant to
MGL, Chapter 44, Section 53E ½, for the purpose of receiving and expending funds for public
CPR and First Aid Training by the Fire Department. Receipts from materials, fees and tuition
shall be deposited into this revolving fund, and expenditures not to exceed the sum of One
Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for fiscal year 2012 may be made by the Fire Department,
Article 7A: We recommend the Town so vote. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article provides an off-budget source to provide CPR training
programs through charging fees and depositing the fees directly into a revolving fund to pay
ongoing expenses for the program.
B. (Youth and Family Services) To see if the Town will vote to reauthorize a revolving fund
pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 53E ½ of the Massachusetts General Laws for the purpose of
receiving and expending funds for youth activities by the Youth and Family Services
Department. Receipts from deposits for youth activities will be deposited into this account, and
expenditures not to exceed the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the fiscal year
2012 may be made by the Youth and Family Services Department,
Article 7B: We recommend the Town so vote. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article provides funding for youth programs such as Hot
Summer Nights and Red Cross Baby Sitter Training and allows for revenues from each
participant to offset costs of the program.
C. (Board of Assessors) To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 4 of
Chapter 73 of the Acts of 1986 as amended by Chapter 126 of the Acts of 1988 granting
increased real estate tax exemptions to certain qualified persons,
Article 7C: We recommend the Town so vote. (6-0-0)
The real estate tax exemptions in these provisions are available to residents who are over 70
years old, who are blind, and/or who are veterans.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement - This article incorporates all of the real estate property exemptions
to provide a uniform method of exemptions and requires annual adoption.
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D. (Advisory Finance Committee) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or
transfer from available funds the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000), or such
other amount as the Town Meeting may approve, for the Finance Committee General Reserve
Fund, transfer Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting
may approve, from Water retained earnings for the Water Enterprise Reserve Fund, transfer Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($50,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting may approve, from
Sewer retained earnings for the Sewer Enterprise Reserve Fund, and transfer Twenty Thousand
Dollars ($20,000) from Country Club retained earnings for the Country Club Enterprise Reserve
Fund, or such other amounts as the Town Meeting may approve, in accordance with Section 6 of
Chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Laws,
Article 7D: We recommend the Town vote to transfer $300,000 from Free Cash to the
Finance Committee General Reserve Fund, transfer $50,000 from Water Retained
Earnings to the Water Enterprise Reserve Fund, transfer $50,000 from Sewer Retained
Earnings to the Sewer Enterprise Reserve Fund, and transfer $20,000 from Country Club
Retained Earnings to the Country Club Enterprise Reserve Fund for the purpose of this
article. (7-0-0)
The Advisory Finance Committee recognizes the importance of funding the Finance Committee
General Reserve Fund so funds can be available for emergency and unexpected needs facing the
Town during the year. Although it is important for money to be available for these
circumstances, it is always hoped that this money will not be needed.
Any funds in the Finance Committee General Reserve Fund that are not used by the end of the
current fiscal year are returned to the Town’s available funds and become Free Cash for the next
year.
In past years, the funding for this Reserve Fund has been raised and appropriated (i.e., taken
from real estate taxes paid to the Town). This year, the Advisory Finance Committee is
recommending that the source of the $300,000 for the Finance Committee General Reserve Fund
be transferred from Free Cash. This results in $300,000 that does not need to be raised from the
real estate tax levy.
The majority of the Committee feels that this transfer from Free Cash is appropriate and prudent
for the following reasons: (a) any unspent monies in the Fund revert to Free Cash if not used
during the Fiscal Year, (b) the current financial approach to funding capital and other expenses
that typically qualify for the unforeseen, emergency uses would use Free Cash as the funding
source if the purpose came before Town Meeting, and (c) the Town’s taxpayers are better served
by reducing the tax levy since the balance of Free Cash available at the end of this Town
Meeting will be greater than it was at the end of last year’s Town Meeting even if these funds are
transferred from Free Cash.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support the Article as recommended by the Town Manager. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – These accounts provide funding for unforeseen expenses during
the year through various reserve funds.
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E. (Recreation Department) To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer
from available funds the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500), or such other
amount as the Town Meeting may approve, for the annual July 4th celebration to be expended by
the Westborough July 4th Committee under the direction of the Board of Selectmen,
Article 7E: We recommend the Town vote to raise and appropriate $2,500 for the purpose
of this article. (6-0-2)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article pays part of the cost for the annual July 4th
celebration.
F. (Local Emergency Planning Committee) To see if the Town will vote to reauthorize
a revolving fund, pursuant to MGL Chapter 44, Section 53 E ½, for the purpose of receiving and
expending funds as a result of reimbursable incidents allowed under MGL Chapter 21E
involving hazardous materials releases. Receipts generated shall be deposited into this revolving
fund and expenditures, not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) for the fiscal
year 2012 may be made by the Local Emergency Planning Committee to the respective
responding departments,
Article 7F: We recommend the Town so vote. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article provides a revolving fund for the purpose of
reimbursing the Town for personnel costs, vehicle usage, and replacing consumable goods used
in the stabilization of hazardous materials releases. This allows for the Town to maintain
resources when there are emergencies. Due to their complex nature, Town resources such as
fire, police, emergency medical services, public works, and health may be needed for an
extended time. Also, many hazardous materials handlers are insured whereby funds are
available to reimburse these departments for their expenses.
G. Reconstruction and Improvement of Town Roads (Chapter 90) (DPW)
To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds the sum of Six Hundred Thirty Two
Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Four ($632,884) or such other amount as the Town Meeting
may approve, to construct, reconstruct, or improve the town roads, and further, to authorize the
Board of Selectmen to apply for and accept a grant in this full amount, more or less, which is to
be the State’s contribution and/or reimbursement under Section 34 (2A) of chapter 90 of the
Massachusetts Laws for work done under this article, or to take any other action thereon.
Article 7G: We recommend the Town vote to transfer from available funds the sum of
$812,143 for the purposes of this article. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
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Town Manager’s Statement – This article provides the local authorization to expend Chapter 90
funds from Mass DOT for the purpose of repairing town roads.
ARTICLE 8: Capital Improvement Plan (Town Manager/Capital Expenditure Planning
Committee)
To see what action the Town may take on the following items, A through G, which may be voted
as a block, or singly, or in any combination, but however voted, will be treated for accounting
purposes as if each item were voted as a separate article:
A. Defibrillator/Monitor Purchase (Fire Department) To see if the Town will vote to raise
and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or transfer from available funds, the
sum of Thirty-Thousand Dollars ($30,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting may
approve, to purchase one 12 lead defibrillator/monitor and related equipment for the fire
department, or to take any other action relative thereto
Article 8A: We recommend the Town vote to transfer the sum of $30,000 from Free Cash
for the purpose of this article. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would replace one of the two defibrillators in the Fire
Department.
B. Thermal Imaging Camera Purchase (Fire Department) To see if the Town will vote to
raise and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or transfer from available funds,
the sum of Forty-Thousand Dollars ($40,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting may
approve, to purchase two thermal imaging cameras and related equipment for the fire
department, or to take any other action relative thereto.
Article 8B: We recommend the Town vote to transfer the sum of $40,000 from Free Cash
for the purpose of this article. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would replace the two 11-year old thermal imaging
cameras ($20,000 apiece). These cameras are used to locate victims and firefighters trapped in
smoke.
C. Four Wheel Drive Vehicle Purchase (Fire Department) To see if the Town will vote to
raise and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or transfer from available funds,
the sum of Forty-Thousand Dollars ($40,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting may
approve, to purchase a four wheel drive vehicle and related equipment for the fire department, or
to take any other action relative thereto.
Article 8C: We recommend the Town vote to transfer the sum of $40,000 from Free Cash
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for the purpose of this article and that the size of the Town’s vehicle fleet will not increase
because of this purchase. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would replace the 1999 Chevy Tahoe used by the
department used for multiple purposes in the department.
D. Police Cruisers (2) (Police Department) To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or transfer from available funds the sum
of Seventy-Nine Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty Dollars ($79,730), or such other amount as the
Town Meeting may approve, to purchase two police vehicles and related equipment; the Town’s
vehicle fleet will not increase because of this purchase, or to take any other action relative
thereto.
Article 8D: We recommend the Town vote to transfer the sum of $79,730 from Free Cash
for the purpose of this article and that the size of the Town’s vehicle fleet will not increase
because of this purchase. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – The Town is on a regular schedule of replacing police cruisers to
maintain the fleet in good condition and for FY12, the recommended replacement is two
cruisers.
E. Permit Tracking Software Purchase (Building Department) To see if the Town will vote
to raise and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or transfer from available
funds, the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting
may approve, to purchase a permit tracking software for the Building, Planning, Conservation,
Board of Health, Fire, Selectmen, Treasurer, Public Works and other departments to improve
communications and permitting, or to take any other action relative thereto.
Article 8E: We will make a recommendation at Town Meeting.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – The building department currently issues hard copy building
permits with no tracking mechanism for other related departments. This software would
integrate the departments listed above.
F. Forbes Municipal Building (Buildings and Grounds) – To see if the Town will vote to
raise and appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or transfer from available funds,
the sum of Three Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($330,000), or such other amount as the
Town Meeting may approve, for repairing and replacing the roof at the Forbes Municipal
Building, including all costs incidental or related thereto; to determine whether this appropriation
shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or to take any other action relative thereto.
35
Article 8F: We recommend the Town vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to borrow
and appropriate the sum of $330,000 for the purpose of this article. (6-0-0)
During its review of this article, the Committee was informed that the roof work on the Forbes
Building proposed in this article is necessary regardless of the outcome of the current
consolidation study and/or study of a Public Safety Complex.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would replace the roof at the Forbes Municipal
Building which is beyond its useful life and is failing. Due to cost, it is recommended that this
article be approved as a borrowing article.
G. Library Building (Library Board of Trustees) – To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate, borrow pursuant to any applicable statute or transfer from available funds, the sum
of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting may approve,
for studying and developing a plan for replacing the HVAC system at the Town Library, or to
take any other action relative thereto.
Article 8G: We recommend the Town vote to transfer the sum of $15,000 from Free Cash
for the purpose of this article. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would fund hiring an HVAC consultant to review
replacing the 30 year old Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning System in the Library.
ARTICLE 9: Improvements to the Country Club Golf Course (Country Club Operating
Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Country Club retained earnings the sum of
Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) or such other amount as Town Meeting may approve, for
drainage work and improvements at the Westborough Country Club, and that any unexpended
balance be returned to said account, or take any other action thereon.
Article 9: We recommend the Town so vote. (6-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement: This article would provide funding for the Country Club
Committee to make cart path and drainage improvements on the 3rd hole along and near the 2nd
3rd and 5th holes.
ARTICLE 10: Senior Center Parking Lot Expansion (Buildings and Grounds)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow
pursuant to any applicable statute the sum of Forty One Thousand Six Hundred Forty Six Dollars
($41,646), or such other amount that the Town Meeting may approve for all costs associated
36
with the completion of the parking lot expansion at the Senior Center and walkway replacement,
including but not limited to the purchasing of materials such as asphalt, stone, piping and any
other costs associated with the project, or to take any other action thereon.
Article 10: We recommend the Town vote to transfer the sum of $41,646 from Free Cash
for the purpose of this article. (8-0-0)
We concur with the Town Manager’s statement.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – For many of the events held at the Senior Center, the current
parking lot is too small and seniors have to park remotely and walk down the road to use the
facility during these events. The Town, through its DPW has done most of the base work inhouse
to expand the parking lot. This article seeks to fund the costs for materials.
ARTICLE 11: Water & Sewer – Capital Equipment & Projects (DPW Manager)
To see what action the Town may take on the following items A and B, which may be voted as a
block or singly or in any combination, but however voted, will be treated for accounting purposes as
if each item were voted as a separate article:
A. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Twenty
Thousand Dollars ($420,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting may
approve, for the purpose of reconditioning its water tanks including but not
limited to the Ruggles Street Water Tank and access driveway, drainage,
engineering, and incidental and related costs associated therewith; to determine
whether this appropriation shall be raised by borrowing or otherwise; or to take
any other action relative thereto,
Article 11A: We recommend the Town vote to transfer and appropriate the sum of
$420,000 from Water Retained Earnings for the purposes of this article. (7-1-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would provide funding through the use of retained
earnings. The current balance is $1,006,000. Using $420,000 leaves a balance of
approximately $640,000 or 14.5% of the Water Fund Operating Budget.
B. To see if the Town will vote to amend the vote of the Town passed under Article
10F of the warrant for the May 15, 2010 annual town meeting to read as follows:
That the sum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) is hereby appropriated of
which (i) Seven Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand ($776,000) may be used to pay
the costs of engineering, installing, upgrading and/or replacing water mains and
(ii) Two Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand ($224,000) may be used to pay the
costs of engineering, installing, upgrading and/or replacing the municipal sewer
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system, including all costs incidental and related thereto, in the areas of Town
which includes, but is not limited to Whitney Street, Weld Street, Irving Street,
Folly Lane, Belknap Street, Hopkinton Road, Maynard Street, Mohawk Circle,
Mohawk Drive, and Adams Street, and that to meet this appropriation, the
Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen is authorized to borrow said
amounts under and pursuant to Chapter 44, Section 7 and 8 of the General Laws,
or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the
Town therefore, or to take any other action thereon.
Article 11B: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article is to modify the original vote for this completed
project that the Town was able to obtain better funding through the Water Pollution Abatement
Trust and the wording of the article needs to be re-phrased for it to qualify.
ARTICLE 12: Energy Audit (Board of Selectmen/Green Technology Advisory Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow
pursuant to any applicable statute the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000), or such other
amount that the Town Meeting may approve for all costs associated with conducting an energy
audit of town and school buildings for the purpose of developing a plan to cost effectively reduce
the Town’s energy consumption by 20% over five years, or to take any other action thereon.
Article 12: We recommend this article be defeated. (4-3-1)
The funding level requested by this article supports energy audits of 2 or 3 town buildings.
The Committee understands and supports the concept and theory of energy audits intended to
propose further actions that will reduce energy costs. However, at this time, the majority of the
Committee is not convinced that the funded approach (initial audits of 2 or 3 buildings) will
provide an adequate return on investment on those buildings. Furthermore, the majority of the
Committee believes that energy audits of more than 2 or 3 buildings will be necessary before the
Town can develop a plan to reduce its energy consumption by 20% over 5 years.
Some members of the Committee feel that starting with an audit of a single building and
measuring the results of that investment would be a better starting point. Those members who
voted against the recommendation to defeat this article are in favor of the funding level and
approach described in the article.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement: One part of the application process for Westborough to be
approved as a Green Community is for the Town to conduct an energy audit and to develop a
plan to address energy efficiency issues. These studies can be funded by the state, but there is
currently a long waiting period (3-5 years) to have an energy audit funded by the state.
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Article 13: Hastings School Project (School Committee)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow
pursuant to any application statute the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000), or such other amount as the Town Meeting may approve, for the purpose of
replacing pipes and removal of asbestos from the Hastings School, or take any other action
thereon.
Article 13: We recommend the Town vote to transfer the sum of $250,000 from Free Cash
for the purpose of this article. (7-0-0)
The Committee fully supports that this work be performed at the Hastings School. However, the
Advisory Finance Committee is recommending that this work be funded by a transfer from Free
Cash rather than a borrowing.
The Committee views this work as a capital expense that can be paid for out of Free Cash just as
other capital expenses are being funded from Free Cash at this Town Meeting. Although the size
of the request is at a level that has, in the past, led to a recommendation of a borrowing rather
than a one-time transfer, the Committee believe that: (a) the use of Free Cash is appropriate for
this work, (b) that the Town’s Free Cash surplus is not harmed by a transfer since such a transfer
would still leave the Free Cash balance at the end of this Town Meeting higher than the Free
Cash balance was at the end of last year’s Town Meeting, and (c) the taxpayers are better served
by paying for this work with a one-time transfer from Free Cash than by increasing the Town’s
debt which would likely increase taxes in the future.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support the Article as recommended by the Town Manager. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement: The design of the heating/HVAC system at the Hastings School has
led to corrosion in some pipes that carry water to the point where there are now leaks that need
to be repaired and corrected. In order to access this area, there is asbestos ceiling tiles and
asbestos on the pipes that will need to be removed. The School Department has received an
estimate to have the work completed and it would be preferred to have the work completed over
the Summer months when school is not is session.
ARTICLE 14: Tax Increment Financing Plan (TIF) (Board of Selectmen)
To see if the Town will vote to (a) approve a TIF Plan and Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Agreement between 2 Tech Works and the Town of Westborough, both on file with the Board of
Selectmen and Town Clerk and incorporated herein by reference for a period of five years which
term shall begin on July 1, 2011, or such later time pending approval from the relevant agencies
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for property located at 2 Technology Drive (Block 28,
Lot 63), including designation of a TIF Zone as described in the TIF Plan, with exemption
percentages as follows: Year 1, 50%; Year 2, 40%; Year 3, 30%; Year 4, 20%; Year 5, 10%; (b)
authorize the Board of Selectmen to execute the TIF Agreement, and any documents relating
thereto, and to take such other actions as are necessary or appropriate to implement those
documents pursuant to the provisions of MGL Ch. 40, § 59; (c) authorize the Board of Selectmen
39
to submit all such necessary or required documents to the Economic Assistance Coordinating
Council of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for approval and designation of the 2
Technology Drive Economic Opportunity Area, TIF Zone, TIF Plan and Certified Project; (d)
take such other and further action as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of
this vote; or take any other action thereon.
Article 14: We recommend the Town so vote. (7-1-0)
The Committee notes that eClinicalWorks committed to and began work on their expansion plan
without final Town Meeting approval, which demonstrated a show of good faith in their plan to
keep jobs in Westborough. The Committee also learned from the Board of Selectmen and Town
Manager that the company is required to meet the requirements of this plan and that there are
consequences if the company does not meet its obligations.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager Statement – This article authorizes the Board of Selectmen to create an
Economic Opportunity Area at 2 Technology Drive and to offer and execute a Tax Increment
Financing Plan/Agreement to 2 Tech Works (d.b.a. eClinicalWorks) at 2 Technology Drive. The
company employs approximately 650 people in Westborough and was considering moving out of
Town when the Town became involved and negotiated an agreement to keep them in Town where
they moved to a larger building and undertook substantial renovations. The Tax Increment
Financing arrangement only applies to the incremental increase in value of the property, so
there is no tax loss, only a temporary reduction in how much of a tax increase would be applied
to the increase in value of the property. The Town’s involvement also allows for opportunity for
state tax benefits to 2 Tech Works (d.b.a. eClinicalWorks).
2 Technology Drive FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16
Real Estate TIF % n/a 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
Personal Property TIF % n/a 25% 20% 15% 10% 5%
Property Taxes without the Project 144,023 144,023 144,023 144,023 144,023 144,023
Property Taxes with the Project 144,023 259,246 297,080 320,744 346,032 373,033
Increase in Property Taxes n/a 115,223 153,057 176,721 202,009 229,010
Property Tax Savings to ECW n/a 57,748 52,769 41,437 28,916 15,131
ARTICLE 15: Charter Corrections (Town Counsel)
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature for
special legislation to amend the Charter as follows:
in Section 3-2(d) – delete the third clause reading, “members of the town boards, commissions or
committees for which the boards has explicitly designated as the appointing authority in said
section 5-2,” and replace it with the words, “town boards, commissions, or committees for which
40
section 5-2 of this charter has designated the selectmen as appointing authority.” And
in Section 3-2(f) – delete the second sentence reading, “An employee holding the office of
Selectman in the Town of Westborough on the effective date of this act may serve the remaining
period of his term, but shall be ineligible for re-election while so employed.” And
delete Section 3-3(c) and replace it with the following: “Section 3-3(c) Powers and Duties – The
Moderator shall have the powers and duties provided for that office by statute, by the Charter, by
Bylaw and by other vote of the Town Meeting.” And
delete Section 3-3(d) and replace it with the following: “Section 3-3(d) Appointments – The
Moderator shall appoint for fixed overlapping terms: all members of the advisory finance
committee, two members of the capital expenditure planning committee and members of such
other committees special or standing as may from time to time be established by Town Meeting
designating the Moderator as the appointing authority. These appointments shall be made such
that the terms of office of as nearly an equal number of members shall expire each year.” And
delete Section 4-2(a)(ii) and replace it with the following: “(ii) Members of other Town boards,
commissions, or committees and other personnel for which the Board of Selectmen, Town By-
Law, or Town Meeting action has directed the Town Manager to act as appointing authority as
long as that appointing authority does not contradict an appointing authority designated in this
charter, and”. And
in Section 5-2(a) delete the words, “Walkup Robinson Fund” and replace it with the following,
“Representative to the Walkup Robinson Fund”. And
in Section 5-3(e) – delete the words, “Filling Vacancies on Boards, Commissions or Committees.
Notwithstanding any contrary special or general or special law to the contrary, a vacancy, on a
board, commission or committee for a permanent temporary position shall be filled in the same
manner as prescribed for the initial appointment,” and replace them with the words, “All
vacancies on any board, commission or committee shall be filled in the same manner as the
initial appointment.”
Or take any other action thereon.
Article 15: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would correct changes made to the Town Charter by
the Legislature that were different from the changes Town Meeting previously approved. This is
an attempt to have the Charter read as the Town intended.
ARTICLE 16: Charter Addition (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature for
special legislation to amend the Charter as follows:
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Add a new Article 8 to read:
ARTICLE 8
Department of Public Works
There shall be a Department of Public Works which shall have all the powers and duties now or
from time to time vested by law in the following boards, departments or offices: Highway
Superintendent, Water Commissioners, Sewer Commissioners and Tree Warden. The
Department of Public Works shall in all respects be the lawful successor of the aforementioned
boards, departments, and offices.
The Department shall furnish engineering services, provide for the maintenance and repair of the
Town buildings and property, and performance of such duties of any other boards, departments,
and offices of the Town as may be reasonably related to the duties and responsibilities of this
Department, and as the Town may, from time to time under this Charter require, any other
provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding.
The Department shall be headed by a manager who shall be appointed according to the
provisions of Section 3-2(d). He shall be responsible for the efficient exercise and performance
of all powers, rights, and duties of the Department. He shall be especially fitted by education,
training, and experience to perform the duties of said office, and may or may not be a resident of
the Town at the time of his appointment. During his tenure, the manager of the Department of
Public Works shall not hold elective office, nor engage in any other business or occupation
unless the other business or occupation is approved in advance by the Board of Selectmen. He
shall keep full and complete records of his office and render to the Town as often as it may
require a full report of all operations under his control during the period reported upon; and from
time to time as required by the Selectmen he shall make a synopsis of such reports for
publication. He shall keep the Selectmen fully advised as to the needs of the Town within the
scope of his duties. He shall be bonded by a surety company and the cost of said bond shall be
borne by the Town.
The Board of Selectmen shall be responsible for the overall supervision of the Department of
Public Works and for the establishment of policies to guide the Manager of Public Works.
Or take any other action thereon.
Article 16: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – The Charter originally included a section entitled, “Transitional
Provisions” which was removed in 2008. This section included the above transition combining
all of the various offices into a Department of Public Works. Most notably, this included the
assumption of the duties and responsibilities of the Water and Sewer Commission by the DPW
Manager. When this section was removed from the Charter (since the transition had occurred)
it removed this very important provision of oversight of the Water and Sewer Departments.
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ARTICLE 17: Open Space Article 38 2002 Amendment (Board of Selectmen)
To see if the Town will vote to amend its action under Article 38 of the 2002 Annual Town
meeting regarding the Open Space Preservation Committee, to reduce the number of at-large
appointments from five to four, to eliminate the Board of Selectmen representative on the
Committee, and to assign a purpose to the Committee, so that the language authorizing the
Committee shall read:
There shall be a committee known as the Open Space Preservation Committee consisting
of seven members of whom four shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and one
each by the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Recreation Commission.
The appointing bodies may appoint individuals from among their membership or from
the community at large. Current members of the Open Space Preservation Committee
shall serve out their remaining terms, and thereafter appointees shall serve one year terms
so that the number of members shall be reduced from nine to seven through attrition. The
Open Space Preservation Committee shall be charged with encouraging and promoting
the preservation and acquisition of open space in the town. From time to time, the
Committee shall update and revise the text of the Open Space Plan for approval in
accordance with the Massachusetts General Laws. The Committee shall identify land
that may be acquired for conservation, open space, recreation and related purposes, and
shall periodically work to create an inventory of open space parcels in the community.
The Committee shall advise the Board of Selectmen regarding the exercise of any right of
first refusal under Chapter 61A of the General Laws.
or take any other action thereon
Article 17: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article updates the Open Space Preservation Committee from
the vote at the 2002 Annual Town Meeting by reducing its members and stating the purpose of
the Committee.
ARTICLE 18: Zoning Article Amendment (Building Commissioner)
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Westborough Zoning Bylaws, Article 3,
Dimensional Regulations, Section 3300, Sign Regulations by deleting Subsection 3332, Item b
and replacing it with a new Subsection 3332, Item b as follows:
By deleting:
b. Each commercial or industrial enterprise may only have one (1) Ground Sign and one
(1) Roof or Wall Sign.
And by inserting in its place the following:
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b. Each commercial or industrial enterprise may only have one (1) Ground Sign and one (1)
Roof or two (2) Wall Signs.
Or take any other action thereon.
Article 18: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Planning Board held a public hearing regarding this article on April 19, 2011 and
unanimously voted to support this article.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would allow two building signs to be placed on the
walls of buildings.
ARTICLE 19: Change in Building Inspector Title to Building Commissioner (Town
Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Westborough Zoning Bylaws, Article 1,
Administration and Procedures, Section 1200, Administration, Subsections 1210, Building
Inspector; Subsection 1220, Permits Required; Subsection 1243, Submission of Plans;
Subsection 1245, Design Review for Downtown Westborough, Item C, Applicability and
Authority; Subsection 1260, Enforcement; Article 2, District Regulations, Subsection 2410, Preexisting
Non-conforming Uses or Structures; Article 4, Special Regulations, Subsection 4760,
Violations as follows:
By deleting all references to “Building Inspector”
And by replacing and inserting in place thereof the words “Building Commissioner”
Or take any other action thereon.
Article 19: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Planning Board held a public hearing regarding this article on April 19, 2011 and
unanimously voted to support this article.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This article would correct the references to correspond to the
position title in the Town Charter.
ARTICLE 20: Site Plan Correction (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Westborough, Article 1,
Administration and Procedure, Section 1200, Administration, Subsection 1240, Site Plan
Review, Findings – Procedures, and Subsection 1241, Design Requirements as follows:
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By deleting the following language from Section 1200, Administration, Subsection 1240:
“The Board of Selectmen shall review site plans for development prior to approval of application
for Building Permits for all uses specified in Section 2200, Use Regulations, and which involve
six (6) or more parking spaces; to make findings and determinations in regard to such cases in
conformity with Section 1241 of this Bylaw”
And by inserting in its place the following:
“The Board of Selectmen shall review site plans for development prior to approval of application
for Building Permits for all uses specified in Section 2300, Use Regulations Schedule, and
which involve six (6) or more parking spaces; to make findings and determinations in regard to
such cases in conformity with Section 1241 of this Bylaw”
And by deleting the following language from Section 1200, Administration, Subsection 1241,
Design Requirements:
“The Board of Selectmen shall approve a site plan only upon their determination of the
following”:
And by inserting in its place therefore the following:
“The Board of Selectmen shall only approve a site plan upon a determination that the
following have been satisfied”:
Or take any other action thereon.
Article 20: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Planning Board held a public hearing regarding this article on April 19, 2011 and
unanimously voted to support this article.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – This Article would correct the reference to the Use Schedule in
Section 2300 (the current bylaw states 2200) and would further clarify that a list of items that
follow this sentence in the bylaw must be satisfied for the Selectmen to approve a site plan.
ARTICLE 21: Site Plan Change (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Westborough, Article 1,
Administration and Procedure, Section 1200, Administration, Subsection 1244, Procedures of
the Board of Selectmen, the following wording in the second paragraph:
By deleting the following language from Section 1200, Administration, Subsection 1244:
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“The Board of Selectmen shall hold a public hearing within sixty-five (65) days of receiving the
application and shall take final action within thirty (30) days of the hearing, it nonetheless being
the intention of this Bylaw that the Board of Selectmen shall act as expeditiously as is practical
on such application.”
And by inserting in its place the following:
“The Board of Selectmen shall hold a public hearing within sixty-five (65) days of the
Building Commissioner accepting a completed application which meets all of the criteria
required by the Zoning Bylaws, including the payment of any fees, established by the
Board of Selectmen, and shall take action within thirty (30) days of the hearing, it
nonetheless being the intention of this Bylaw that the Board of Selectmen shall act as
expeditiously as is practical on such application.”
Or taken any other action thereon.
Article 21: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Planning Board held a public hearing regarding this article on April 19, 2011 and
unanimously voted to support this article.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Summary – The current bylaw requires the Selectmen to hold a public hearing
within 65 days of receiving a site plan application, whether it’s complete or not. This has led to
multiple extensions of the deadline to allow applicants the time to complete their applications. If
the 65 days expires without action by the Board of Selectmen, site plans may be considered
constructively approved without going through the process and receiving actual approval or the
Selectmen are placed in a position of denying applications. This change would change the day
the clock starts ticking to the day a completed application is accepted by the Building
Commissioner.
ARTICLE 22: Corporate Cafeteria Sewer Privilege Fee (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature for
special legislation to amend Article 17 of the General Bylaws, Section 3 (a)(5) to add “open to
the public” after the word “cafeteria” and further to add a new section under Article 17, Section
3 (b)(3) that would read:
3. For corporate cafeterias, open only to the employees of a private company, the
calculation for any additional sewer connection fee for said cafeteria would be to apply
the formula in Section 3(b)(2) for the overall building connection fee and add the
difference between this fee and the fee for a cafeteria open to the public found in Section
3(a)(5) of this Article. If the calculation for Section 3(a)(5) is less than Section 3(b)(2)
no additional amount shall be due above that calculated using Section 3(b)(2).
Or take any other action thereon.
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Article 22: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – During the past two years, this issue has arisen where companies
are looking at including a private corporate cafeteria for their employees only generally serving
lunch. Under the current bylaw, there is a calculation for the overall building size for office or
industrial buildings and then an additional calculation for cafeterias, restaurants, etc, which in
some cases is larger than the fee for the entire building. This proposal would take the
calculation for the building size and add to it only the difference between this calculation and
the calculation for a large cafeteria. Additionally, in the case of smaller cafeterias where the
calculation was less than for the entire building, no additional fee would be due.
ARTICLE 23: Water Use Restriction Bylaw (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to amend the General Bylaws, Article 40, Section 4 “Declaration of
a State of Water Supply Conservation” to change the first sentence of this section from:
“The Town, through its Board of Selectmen, may declare a State of Water Supply Conservation
upon a determination by a majority vote of the Board that a shortage of water exists and
conservation measures are appropriate to ensure an adequate supply of water to all water
consumers.”
To:
“The Town, through its Town Manager or by a majority vote of its Board of Selectmen may
declare a State of Water Supply Conservation upon a determination by the DPW Manager that a
shortage of water exists and conservation measures are appropriate to ensure an adequate supply
of water to all water consumers;” or take any other action thereon.”
Article 23: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – During the drought this past summer, the Town has had to institute
two levels of water restrictions and in both instances it would have required the Selectmen to
hold an emergency meeting. Water restrictions are triggered by water levels as determined in
the Town’s Water Management Act Permit and is an administrative matter. During the summer
months while the Selectmen are on a once per month meeting schedule is the most likely time
that a water restriction will need to be placed and as demonstrated this summer, these did not
occur on the date of a Selectmen’s meeting. This article would allow the Town Manager to
declare the water supply restriction.
ARTICLE 24: Use of Insurance Proceeds in Excess of $20,000 (WWTP Board)
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money as the Town Meeting may approve,
47
for the use of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Board for the replacement of a clarifier cover that
collapsed under the weight of snow, the money so appropriated to be transferred from the
account “Receipts Reserved for Appropriation, Insurance Reimbursement in Excess of $20,000.”
or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 24: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The insurance payment for the repair of the winter storm damage at the Wastewater Treatment
Plant is expected to be $1,000,000. The Town Meeting needs to authorize the appropriation of
this settlement money which is expected to fully cover the cost of the repair.
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement – During early February, a cover on one of the clarifiers at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant collapsed under the weight of snow. A claim has been filed with
the Town’s Insurer and the cost exceeds $20,000. MGL Ch. 44, §53(2) requires a Town Meeting
vote to use insurance proceeds that exceed $20,000.
ARTICLE 25: Release of a Deed Restriction from Article 24 of 1954 Annual Town
Meeting (Foreign Wars Post No. 9013) - Citizen’s Petition
To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to release a restriction adopted under
Article 24 of the 1954 Annual Town Meeting which restriction was incorporated into the 1955
deed from the Town to VFW Post 9013. The restriction states “In the event said post shall ever
liquidate or disband or move to another location so that said post does not require said premises,
the same will automatically revert back to the Town of Westborough”,
Or take any other action thereon.
Article 25: The Committee will make a recommendation at Town Meeting.
The Committee supports the VFW Post and their efforts to improve their facilities and expand
their membership. However, there are a number of open questions that need to be answered
before the Committee can make a specific recommendation. The Committee would like to
understand if there are ways the Town can preserve some right to the property and building
should the Post move or disband while still allowing the Post to secure the funding they need for
their plans.
The Board of Selectmen recommendation to be provided at Town Meeting.
Town Manager’s Statement – The article seeks to delete the deed restriction that would revert
ownership of the VFW to the Town should the VFW abandon the property. The VFW is seeking
to make improvements and needs to have a clear title without this restriction to obtain financing.
ARTICLE 26: Correction of Prior Town Meeting Vote (Town Manager)
To see if the Town will vote to amend its action under Article 29 of the 2010 Annual Town
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Meeting to re-number the approved General Bylaw “Article 47” or take any other action thereon.
Article 26: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement: At last year’s Annual Town Meeting, the Town approved a statutory
acceptance and related bylaw related to providing incentives to cleaning up contaminated
property. The bylaw that was approved was inserted as Article 45. There already is an Article
45 so the next article in progression is Article 47.
ARTICLE 27: Libbey Property Transfer to Conservation Commission (Town Counsel)
To see if the Town will vote to transfer the care and custody of parcel 3-7, as it appears on the
Assessor’s Map, from the Board of Selectmen to the Conservation Commission, to be held in
perpetuity as conservation land, or take any other action thereon.
Article 27: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement: This parcel was obtained by the Town for the purposes of
conservation, but has not been transferred to the Conservation Commission as per the original
intent. This article transfers the control of the property to the Conservation Commission. This
is a 110 acre parcel off Adams Street that the Town obtained in 1995.
ARTICLE 28: Westborough Community Land Trust Gift Acceptance (Town Counsel)
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Conservation Commission to accept, as a gift from
the Westborough Community Land Trust, parcel 8-170A as it appears on the Assessor’s Map, to
be held in perpetuity as Conservation Land, or take any other action thereon.
Article 28: We recommend the Town so vote. (8-0-0)
The Board of Selectmen voted to support this Article. (4-0-0)
Town Manager’s Statement: This parcel is a 2.5 acre parcel off Adams Street that borders the
above parcel and is being donated to the Conservation Commission by the Westborough
Community Land Trust.
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ENTERPRISE FUNDS
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2011 Spring Election Results
PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING ARE "UNOFFICIAL" RESULTS. Write-ins and ballots requiring hand-counting have not yet been tallied. Preliminary numbers show 1,549 out of 11,180 elegible voters participated, a turnout of 14%
Congrats to our incumbents and newly elected in town elections today!
Contested Races
Board of Selectmen, three year term- Ian P. Johnson, 1070 votes
defeating challenger Gary P. Wells, 342 votes
School Committee, three year term
- Ilyse Levine-Kanji (incumbent), 1079 votes
- Josephine S. Hensley, 1097 votes
Housing Authority, five year term
- Jeanne F. Kamyck (incumbent), 644 votes
Uncontested races
Moderator, three year term:- Joseph Harrington (incumbent), 1320 votes
- Trevor S. Beauregard (incumbent), 1194 votes
- Nancy J. Yendriga (incumbent), 1327 votes
- Patricia J. Fontes (incumbent), 1204 votes
- Lisa M. Freeman (incumbent), 1196 votes
- Dorothy S. Mello (incumbent), 1220 votes
Non-Binding Referendum Questions
Question 1: Shall the representatives from all Westborough districts be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that requires proof of legal residence in Massachusetts from the applicant before providing taxpayer-funded state benefits?
- YES, 1099
- No, 410
- Blanks, 40
Question 2: Shall the representatives from all Westborough districts be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that requires proof of U.S. citizenship and legal residence in Massachusetts before a person is allowed to register to vote in all elections?
- YES, 1123
- No, 393
- Blanks, 33
Question 3: Shall the representatives from all Westborough districts be instructed to vote in favor of legislation that requires Massachusetts election officials to require a picture ID before a person is allowed to vote in any elections?
- YES, 958
- No, 554
- Blanks, 37
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