Webster Selectmen open warrant for Special Town Meeting

Discuss snowy sidewalks, regional dispatching

by Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - The Webster Board of Selectmen officially opened the warrant for the Special Town Meeting to be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 25, at Bartlett High School. All departments, boards and commission petitions must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, and the citizens petitions deadline is 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 29.

The board also addressed the issue of sidewalks that are still obstructed by snow. According to the town charter, sidewalks in front of private properties must be cleared within twenty-four hours of a storm. Many residents, along with several businesses, have failed to comply. Vice Chair Deborah Keefe stated there is a police-enforced fifty-dollar citation for failure to comply with the regulation. “It’s a shame because it’s not that I really want to penalize people that haven’t shoveled, but it’s not fair to the people, and we have a lot of them who have shoveled.”

Vice Chair Keefe also cited that some of these sidewalks are sidewalks used by students walking to school

Selectman Robert Miller was in agreement with the situation. “I can understand where you have…some disabled folks or some elderly folks, or there’s something. I think we talked about this a couple of years ago, if there was some way to get somebody out there to help them. I know that it's quite a problem.” Mr. Miller stated.

Mike Fafard, a forty-year resident of Webster with twenty-five years in the construction business was appointed by the board to an alternate position for the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Chef Huang Inc. was granted a transfer of license for their new location at 129 East Main Street in Webster.

Paul Masciello of New England Parts came before the board in regard to a Class III License. Mr. Masciello, sole proprietor of the business, stated that the business was mostly mail order until recently when customers began to wish to do business in person. An issue of complaints filed with the Town Administrators office in regard to a few orders has been resolved and there are no local complaints pending. The major complaint came from a customer in Alabama who was not satisfied with an engine sent by Mr. Masciello. To resolve the issue, another engine was shipped but not before complaints were filed. The business's permit was renewed in July of 2012. There are presently four full-time employees at the business. The board made a recommendation for a building inspection, proof that any complaints have been resolved and to finish the proper paperwork before voting on the license during the next meeting.

Town Administrator, John McAuliffe reported that the move towards having a regional dispatch center based in the new police station was becoming a reality. Mr. McAuliffe stated that the sister communities will benefit from the center. “It’s a simple decision for us. We’re building the facility, we’re going to be the host.”

According to Mr. McAuliffe, the trend is towards a collective community dispatch center. He also mentioned that the bar has been raised for technology and training so there will be a demand for such services.

When posed with the question of funding due to the program's regional aspect, Mr. McAuliffe replied, “Right now the funding is aggressive. It benefits the community…those who have joined in this process are doing very well financially.”

8 East Main St. was an issue in regard to vehicles on the property in conflict with their license. There were fourteen vehicles on the property. Twelve have been removed, leaving two motor vehicles and a boat.

The Webster Compost Facility will be accepting Christmas trees until Friday January 11. By Saturday, all trees should have been received.

The Annual Town Report cover picture was chosen and the winner is the Perryville Bridge. Much humor was shared on how the bridge will be photographed. Town Administrator, John McAuliffe joked to Board of Selectmen Executive Secretary Courtney Tyrrell, “Courtney, do you have a kayak?”