The following is a recap from the Westford Board of Selectmen meeting for Sept. 16, 2014. For other parts of the meeting, click here.
For video of the meeting, head to westfordcat.org
8:26 p.m. – The board next went to its consent agenda, which included the following
- A permit for the use of the bandstand on Veterans’ Day
- Two licenses for Witches’ Woods
- A banner request for the Board of Health (which Peraner-Sweet said was timely, apologizing for the comment)
- And a street closure on Broadway on Sept. 21 for the United Church of Westford from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
8:27 p.m. – The order of the warrant articles for the October Special Town Meeting was addressed, with Peraner-Sweet joking to Harde if this was the shortest list ever for a Town Meeting.
Jodi Ross went over the seven articles
- Budget adjustments for Fiscal Year 2015
- Budget transfers for Fiscal Year 2015
- Capital appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015
- Amending the wage and classification plan
- Reducing the amount raised by taxes in Fiscal Year 2015
- Appropriating Community Preservation Funds to acquire land on Tenney Road and Wing Road
- And what to do regarding the former Drew Gardens’ property.
Bob Price of 18 Stratton Hill Rd. asked why there wasn’t a warrant article on the warrant about prior year billing.
Peraner-Sweet said the town didn’t have any, but Price said that it was good to have the boiler plate warrant articles so people don’t forget in future years.
Peraner-Sweet said people wouldn’t forget, Price asked Harde if she could remind the voters. She said she would.
Kelly Ross joked how many nights it would take, Peraner-Sweet then noted the real challenge will be obtaining a quorum of 200 voters.
Jodi Ross requested a small amendment regarding Article 7.
The Selectmen approved the numbering of the warrant unanimously. It now goes to voters on Oct. 20.
8:33 p.m. – The board approved Paul MacMillan to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the remainder of a five year term ending June 30, 2016 and Bernie Meyler was appointed to the Affordable Housing Committee to fill the remainder of a two year term ending on June 30, 2015.
The performance review of Jodi Ross was postponed until Sept. 30 to allow more time for feedback forms.
8:34 p.m. – Kelly Ross gave an update on the Hunting Policy Committee, saying the HPC was not yet ready despite its mandate to make a recommendation to the Selectmen by Sept. 1. They have another meeting coming up and that should be enough to finalize their proposal.
Kelly Ross then said that the HPC is aiming for Oct. 14 for their presentation.
Peraner-Sweet said that Drew Gardens’ Task Force is again meeting on Thursday, and the appraisal will be key on what path will be recommended by the town.
It’s expected that a recommendation will be given by the Selectmen’s Sept. 30 meeting
8:35 p.m. – Minutes were approved.
8:36 p.m. – Jodi Ross mentioned amendments from the Finance Committee regarding the Fiscal Year 2016 budget policy directive.
The initial directive was approved at the July 22 Board of Selectmen meeting.
The amendments were approved.
Jodi Ross then talked about the Selectmen’s budget, recommending adding $5,000 for the Crosstown Connect and $2,000 to join the Middlesex 3 Coalition.
She also talked about some other items in the Selectmen’s budget.
The changes were approved.
8:40 p.m. – Scott Hazelton volunteered to be the Board of Selectmen representative for the Permanent Town Building Committee for the Center Fire Station Project and Kelly Ross volunteered to the be the Selectmen representative to the 12 North Main Street Committee.
Jodi Ross was unsure if Hazelton could be appointed since he was not present.
Siriani also expressed interested on the 12 North Main Street Committee. Peraner-Sweet asked if Siriani was appointed as the liaison if Kelly Ross would like to be the alternate. Kelly Ross was happy to give the appointment to Siriani.
8:42 p.m. – Jodi Ross announced that Lowell Regional Transit Authority has presented the Council of Aging with two new vans, given earlier this month.
The following contracts were approved.
- Design grant for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Planning not to exceed $50,000
- PageFreezer for the Website and Social Media Archiving
- Leases and maintenance agreements for the new COA vans
- Tighe and Bond for design and construction administration services on the Graniteville and Pleasant Street water main replacement not to exceed $48,000.
- Adams and Smith for final design services for the Westford Museum not to exceed $18,950.
The board adjourned to Executive Session at 8:46 p.m.
