Selectmen Tackle Taxes, Budgets, Parking Concerns And More

By Stephen Edwards

Here’s an overview of the Nov. 19, 2014 Westford Selectmen’s Meeting.

We’ll provide details soon, and a video of the meeting will be available this week at westfordcat.org

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4

Circle Health gave the town a $50,000 check to benefit various programs in the Health Department.

The Selectmen also closed the public hearing relating to additional liquor license suspensions to be levied for two businesses on top of suspensions from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission after the ABCC caught the two businesses serving to minors earlier this year.

Town officials have wanted to add additional liquor license suspensions, but the business owners have challenged that approach, insisting it would duplicate punishments from the ABCC.

Everything looks good between the Westford Farmers’ Market and the town. Sustainable Westford’s Zac Cataldo provided an update on the state of the Market to the board.

Jean-Paul Plouffe, principal assessor for Westford, talked about local taxes and development in town.

According to Plouffe, the value of taxable property in town has grown over $1.8 million over the past year.

The Selectmen approved a single tax rate with a small commercial exemption 4-0-0.

Assistant Town Manager John Mangiaratti provided an update on 12 North Main St., the site of a collapsing factory in Graniteville that is expected to receive funding from the state for rehabilitation.

Mangiaratti said that sentiment from residents is leaning toward preserving the building, but significant remediation is required before redevelopment can begin

Town Manager Jodi Ross presented an initial budget proposal for FY’ 16. She indicated that the town will add two new employees for the first time in several years. These two expected employees will be allocated to the Recreation Department and Highway Department specifically.

More information on capital projects, such as a new fire station, is coming soon.

Several residents expressed concerns about parking at the Cameron Senior Center.

Mangiaratti concluded the meeting with an update on a new contract for the town’s energy supply that will save the town $288,000.