Webster Board of Selectmen appoint new members to Planning Board

Bay Path debt exclusion also addressed.

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - The Webster Board of Selectmen appointed two new members to the Planning Board during their meeting on Monday, February 19. Thomas Klebart and Denise N. Moberg came forward to give their time and experience for the benefit of the town. Klebart previously served two years as a selectman, 12 years on the Board of Finance, 20 years on the Land Trust, where he also served as President and Treasurer for that committee, while living in New Hartford, Connecticut. He has maintained a home in Webster and has recently moved back to town.

Moberg, a lifelong resident of Webster, is a Civil Engineer with an OSHA Construction Certification.

Superintendent John LaFleche addressed the board in regard to the upcoming debt exclusion vote for the Bay Path Regional Vocational School. About 133 of the approximate 1,100 students enrolled in the school are from Webster and Mr. LaFleche expects that number to rise next year. The estimated tax rate that the average homeowner would pay a year for the bond would be about $33.00. This estimate was the higher number, as it is likely to be less since the original percentage rate has dropped to 2.9%.

Selectman Mark Dowgiewicz’s son is a graduate of Bay Path. Selectman Dowgiewicz had nothing but praises for the school, which encompasses ten towns in its enrollment. Former graduate Dennis Guay spoke on behalf of the school; he went on to become the Assistant Vocational Director at Bay Path.

The Town Administrator’s report focused on the recent funding for the A.J. Sitkowski School project. “ I was going to create a new category called ‘Hallelujah’,” Joked Town Administrator John McAuliffe. The project, now fully funded, is slated to become a 66- unit fifty-five-plus community. More information can be viewed on www.webster-ma.gov/

A Cable Advisory Public Hearing Meeting is scheduled for March 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Irene Martel Conference Room at the Town Hall. The public is encouraged to attend. More information can be obtained by going to the website address above.

St. Joseph School was granted a one-day liquor license in regard to their event at the Sportsmen’s Club on April 27, 2013. The Webster Sailing Association was also granted a 2013 event permit contingent on the approval of the Harbormaster and the Highway Department Superintendent.

The board is sending out a letter to the Town of Dudley in regard to its recent request to have a two-and-one-half percent cap on school department increases. The Town of Dudley wants surrounding communities to support and establish the cap.

Town Administrator John McAuliffe said that he has maintained a good working relationship with the school department. During hard fiscal times, the school department and town have worked together to keep the budget under control. Therefore, such a measure would not be in the best interest of Webster at present.