BOARD OF SELECTMEN ANNOUNCEMENT

The Board of Selectmen would like to announce that they have opened the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The Annual Town Meeting will be held on October 15, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Bartlett High School Auditorium, 52 Lake Parkway.  Anyone wishing to place articles on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant should present them to the Selectmen’s Office during regular business hours. Citizen’s petitions must contain the signatures of ten (10) registered (certified) voters.  The deadline to submit articles is Thursday, September 09, 2012, at 3:00 p.m.

The Board of Selectmen would like to thank Chief Hickey and the Webster Fire Department for their response to the fire at the Upper Mill located at 6 City Depot Road in Charlton. With the combined assistance of the surrounding towns they were able to contain the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings. The Town Administrator of Charlton sent a wonderful letter expressing her gratitude for the Department’s assistance. We are very proud of the men and women on our Fire Department.

With very positive feedback from last year’s event the Town of Webster would like to welcome back the 2^nd Annual “Thunder on Webster Lake”. The two day event will take place September 1^st and 2^nd at Webster’s Memorial Beach. More than 70 hydroplane powerboats are expected to compete in this year’s event.

The French River Connection is presenting a free “Concert in the Park” on Saturday, August 25, 2012 (Rain Date August 26^th) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the French River Park, Davis Street, Webster. For more information please go to www.frenchriverconnection.org

Lanni Orchards will be holding a Farmers’ Market every Friday now until the end of October from 11:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the Town Hall’s side lawn. They will be offering a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Please remember the Town’s website www.webster-ma.gov provides access forms, agendas, departmental information and up to date Town information.

The Board of Selectmen hopes everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of summer. If you have any questions and/or concerns feel free to contact the Board of Selectmen’s Office at (508) 949-3800 x1041.

Webster Board of Selectmen

Chairman Bourque

Deborah Keefe

Jeffery Duggan

Mark Dowgiewicz

Robert Miller

yard sale permit violations to be closely monitored

By Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

Oxford – Selectmen began their June 19th meeting with a moment of silence in honor of three Oxford residents who recently passed away: Winifred R. Rogers, who had been a social worker and Oxford police officer; Paul Graves, who had served as an Oxford volunteer fireman and been on many town committees; and Lawrence Johnson, Sr., who was a former member of the Oxford Fire Department, retiring as a lieutenant.

A public hearing was held regarding a special permit to keep 10 hens that would be used for eggs for private use and to board up to 18 rabbits by Monica and Marion Royston of Huguenot Road. After hearing from the Town’s Animal Control Officer, who had inspected the kennels and found no deficiencies, as well as two abutters who had questions about noise (none), odor regulation (under control), and whether roosters would be part of the mix (none), the selectmen were satisfied that proper guidelines would be met and allowed the Special Permit for Animals.

Next, Mr. Kenneth Ng, new owner/manager of Happy Garden Restaurant  came before the board seeking transfer of an all-alcohol pouring liquor license as well as a common victualer’s license. Selectman Henry LaMountain addressed Mr. Ng, stating that the town had not had any pouring violations from the establishment and hoped that Mr. Ng would continue the practice as he did not foresee any reason not to grant the transfer. The Board members voted in favor of the all-alcohol transfer and also voted to transfer the victualer’s license contingent upon approval of the Board of Health.

The item taking up much of the remaining meeting centered on the town’s cable access channels for public, educational, and government (PEG) broadcasts. (Selectman LaMountain recused himself from all discussion on this subject). The public channel is controlled by the non-profit Access Oxford group, the educational channel by the school superintendent’s office, and the government channel by the town manager’s office. Issues at the forefront were the antiquated recording equipment used for selectmen meetings (video-cassette format), meeting monitoring/broadcasting cameras, and inferior quality of broadcasts.  Additionally, selectmen frequently receive negative public comments about the poor video/sound quality and the town manager’s job performance review is also based on his ability to remedy all broadcast/equipment issues in a timely manner.

Town Manager Joseph Zeneski noted that 3-1/2% of each Charter Cable customer’s monthly bill goes to pay for public access programming for a 2011 total dollar amount of $140,000. Dan Scotti, president of the board of directors of Access Oxford, addressed the board to present Access Oxford’s views on solutions. Mr. Scotti displayed the new broadcast/video cameras that will be used for future selectmen meetings. Selectmen Michael Voas and Dennis Lamarche, as well as chairman John Saad, then discussed the necessity of the board, town manager, and Access Oxford communicating more effectively to "get it done.” Access Oxford’s broadcast team was praised liberally for its dedication, countless hours of public video, and willingness to improve broadcasts. Selectmen ended the discussion with a commitment to bringing all concerns to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties.

Town manager Mr. Zeneski gave his customary report, which included re-appointment requests for Terrence Cummings as Second Delegate and Thomas Sullivan as Alternate for the Central MA Regional Planning Commission until 6/30/13. Selectmen approved both.

The board also received a resignation letter from Police Officer Michael Vigeant effective 6/7/12 and allowed Chairman Saad to sign the termination notice, to be forwarded to Civil Service.

Additionally, the board allowed a state license for Keno-to-go for Chucky’s of 484 Main Street; allowed Grace Flynn to use the Town Seal for Tercentennial Projects; voted to declare surplus materials of old office equipment; approved a General Entertainment Permit for booths on the Town Common for the Town’s Tercentennial Celebration; allowed a banner suspension at Joslin Park for the Town Celebration; and gave permission to the Oxford High Class of 2013 to open the latest time capsule. (Selectmen Voas abstained from voting on any matters concerning the Tercentennial.)

Selectman Lamarche concluded the meeting by advising the board of citizen concerns regarding weekly Yard Sale Permits and how it appeared that some permittees may not be adhering to the town guidelines for the allowed time frames of such events. Traffic congestion and zoning violations appeared to be potential problems and it was suggested that the situation would be brought to the attention of the Oxford Police Dept to review permit verifications.

Selectmen in attendance were: Chairman John Saad, Dennis Lamarche, Michael Voas, and Henry LaMountain. Jennie Caissie was absent. Also in attendance were Karen Crandell, Selectmen’s Clerk; and Joseph Zeneski, Town Manager.

Selectman Voas praises Senior Center Director Stacy Barr

Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

One day after Oxford’s Town Elections, Oxford’s Board of Selectmen reorganized, appointing John Saad, Chairman; Dennis Lamarche, Vice-Chairman; and Michael Voas, Secretary. After his unanimous appointment, Mr. Saad expressed his gratitude and appreciation to former Chairwoman Jen Caissie and also praised her professionalism and accomplishments of the past year. Mr. Lamarche then thanked the Oxford voters for returning him to office and also acknowledged his fellow Board members.

Up first on the agenda was a public hearing on the new sewer rates, presented by Sean Divoll, DPW Director. Mr. Divoll stated that he “hadn’t come before the Board for over two years regarding sewer rate increases and since then costs to run and maintain the system have risen.”

He mentioned that the Town of Auburn’s Intermunicipal Agreement with Oxford concerning the waste collected and pumped through Auburn to be treated at the Upper Blackstone Plant had increased fees by 12% and Millbury had increased fees by 6%. The North Oxford Thayer Pond pumping station was recently rebuilt and has been operating since 1986. The cost to finance that debt will soon be hitting the sewer enterprise account.

Mr. Divoll further mentioned that “the customer fees only go into the enterprise fund and that no tax dollars were used to finance the rebuilding, therefore, user rates do have to be increased.” Additionally, it was noted that the sewer rates from the Town of Webster were considerably higher for the Old Webster Road area due to lesser flow to the Webster plant and higher costs associated with treating a smaller waste flow.

The legality of the two different rate structures was reviewed by Town Counsel, Kopelman and Paige, and it was determined that “cost differentiations can be easily demonstrated between the North Oxford and the Old Webster Road systems in that there are two distinct and different service areas with clear cost differences.”

Consequently, the Board voted new sewer rates as follows: $10.40/per thousand gallon usage to all North Oxford System users and $16.70/per thousand gallon usage to all Old Webster Road users. Old rates for North Oxford were $8.70/thousand gallons and the new average cost to a single-family home would be $99 annually. Rate changes will be effective July 1, 2012.

DPW Director Divoll also updated the Board on the new Federal Reflectivity Sign Policy. He stated that there were well over 2,000 various street signs in the Town of Oxford, 1,045 of them had been inventoried and GPS’d, and work was still ongoing with the inventory process.

Mr. Divoll further stated that he was pleased to report that the Town’s 10 missing catch-basin grates had been recovered with the help of the Worcester Police Dept. Each grate weighs about 150 lbs. and had been stolen by local thieves with the intent of selling the grates to a metal scrap dealer for cash.

Annual appointments were then reviewed and voted in as follows: Representative to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority – Town Mgr., Joseph Zeneski; Administrative Asst. to Board of Selectman – Karen Crandell; Zoning Board of Appeals – Regular members: Arthur Boulay, Michael LeDuc, Peter LaFlash, Mark Mercadante, John Sneade; Associate members: Stephen Balcunas, Michael Camosse, and Alfred St. Germain; Board of Registrars – Theresa Laramee, Carol Graves, and John Flattery; Civil Defense Police Officers – Albert Adams, Richard Kneeland, and John O’Keefe; Civil Defense Police Officers (restricted to recreation duties) – Gary Belvery, Sr., Leon Cahill, and Ronald Fisher, Sr.; Constable Appointments – Albert Adams, Robert Charbonneau, Richard Kneeland, Ralph Miller, Michael Plante, Franklin Saad, Brian Boulette, Alan Jeskey, and Stephen Lapomardo; Downtown Beautification Committee – Alfred & Carolyn Banfill, Kathleen Bowles, Kimberly Denn, Joel Masley, Olive Prunier, John Reckner, and George & Dorothy Starkus; Open Space Committee member – Jane Stafford (secretary); and Police Matrons – Johnna Cox, Karen Mahota, Rebecca Prefontaine, Joann Somers, Debra Light, and Amanda Stone.

The Hannah Harwood Scholarship Fund candidates were then voted on with no names given out to the press or public. The successful high school graduate will be notified on scholarship night before graduation on Friday.

During the course of Town Manager Zeneski’s regular report, it was noted that Jane Bania, Chairwoman, and Martin Bania, Treasurer, of the Oxford Republican Town Committee, had submitted their resignations.

The Board also voted unanimously to sign the Intermunicipal Sewer Agreement between Oxford and Webster, set the next 6-month schedule for their meetings, signed a proclamation declaring May 20-26 National Public Works Week, and announced the Board’s invitation to the OHS 2012 Commencement Exercises to be held on Friday, May 25.

Selectman Michael Voas reviewed his attendance at the Annual Volunteers’ Brunch held at the Oxford Senior Center on Saturday, April 28.  Mr. Voas praised the Senior Center Director, Stacy Barr, for her efforts and tireless work assisting the Town’s senior population. He also saluted the extraordinary efforts of all the Senior Center’s volunteers who have saved the Town over $150,000 through their countless hours of selfless generosity as well as their outstanding efforts while at the Senior Center from helping with Meals-on-Wheels to all group activities.

5/2/12   Oxford Selectmen’s Mtg

Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

Prior to Oxford’s May Town Meeting, the Selectmen met in the Oxford High Library with two other boards in close proximity. Those Selectmen present were: Henry LaMountain; Michael Voas; Dennis Lamarche; Jennie Caissie, Chair; and John Saad. The first item reviewed was that the sanitary facilities at Carbuncle Pond had passed the Board of Health’s inspection allowing further renovation review to go forward.

Next up on the agenda was a state representative from the Massachusetts’ Mosquito Control Project who explained in great detail the programs offered by the State regarding non-restricted pesticides, mosquito traps, etc. pertaining to the West Nile and Triple E virus borne by mosquitoes. The annual cost was presented as $60,000 annual and a 3-year contract was standard. This item, however, was also listed on the Town Meeting Warrant and was defeated due to funding availability.

Policy 501 became an intense discussion among board members as it pertained to inclusion of part-time Town-elected employees on the Town’s health insurance program. In 2011, Selectman Voas had proposed that this policy be phased out to save the Town money on health insurance costs ranging up to $7,600 for individuals and as high as $19,800 for family plans. Mr. Saad spoke about the costs for insuring part-time Town employees as a “budget buster.” Ms. Caissie and Mr. Lamarche are the only two members of the Board who currently use the Town’s health insurance benefits. The final vote to eliminate medical insurance benefits for Town-elected employees was passed with Mr. Lamarche being in sole opposition. Ms. Caissie then made a motion to amend Selectman Voas’ motion to phase out the health benefit if Selectman Voas agreed to reimburse the Town for $16,000 in legal fees incurred shortly after his election to the Board regarding an appointment process for police officers. Mr. Voas defended himself by stating that he was not aware of the procedures relating to the hiring process at the time and that he also gives back his Selectman’s pay to the Town. Ms. Caissie’s motion did not pass with those opposed being Selectmen Voas, Saad, and LaMountain. Ms. Caissie and Mr. Lamarche voted in favor.  The end result is that those Town-elected part-time employees with health insurance would be able to keep the coverage until their terms expire.  The Board then adjourned and attended the May Town Meeting held in the high school auditorium.

Board of Selectmen Meeting, 4/24/12;

Annual Town Meeting, May 2
Town Election, May 15 

Janet Stoica 
Patriot Correspondent

Tuesday night’s regular Board meeting commenced with Henry LaMountain in the chair position due to Jen Caissie’s illness. Otherwise, all Board members were present including Dennis Lamarche, Michael Voas, and John Saad. Also present were Karen Crandell, Selectmen’s Clerk, and Joseph Zeneski, Town Manager. A public hearing was held regarding a flammable storage license for the Citgo gas station located at 484 Main Street. The storage had been added to the station’s original license approved by the Town in Sept. 2009. The license was to keep 127 gallons of propane in 36 above-ground tanks. Selectman Lamarche noted that Fire Chief Bemis was in favor of the storage guidelines, and the 4-member Board then voted approval with 2 abstentions. Selectmen then reviewed a Class II auto license change request from Your Auto Expert LLC to Bonnette’s Automotive. The owner of Your Auto, Robert Appleton, sought to reduce his 19-car license to 4 and merge same with Robert McFadden’s business, Bonnette Automotive. Mr. Appleton advised the Board that because he was now a sole proprietor, he wanted to reduce his overhead as he had become a “personal car shopper service” and did not require a car lot. The Board approved the request with 2 abstentions from Messrs. Voas and Lamountain.

Honey Farms, Inc. new manager, Michael Siddall, was approved as the new handler of the location’s wine and malt liquor store license on Sutton Avenue with all four selectmen voting for approval but with an advisement to Mr. Siddall from Mr. Lamountain about the Oxford Police Department sting operations. Policy 501 was briefly reviewed which is the Rules & Regulations regarding Eligibility for Benefits and the Board opted to table further discussion until Ms. Caissie was present at their next meeting on Wednesday, May 2, at 6 pm.

Mr. Zeneski then presented his customary report wherein the following items were unanimously approved: 1/10/12 meeting minutes, May 2 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, May 15 Town Election polling hours, May 15 Election Warrant, VFW’s outdoor business permit for a flea market on 5/12/12 as well as its one-day all-alcohol pouring license for that same day, American Legion’s Horseshoe League’s special pouring license for Saturdays beginning on May 5 and ending on Oct. 27, 2012, allowing the American Legion Post #58 to host this year’s Memorial Day Parade on May 28, annual and single-day fee adjustments for Yard Sales and Outdoor Business Permits (with discounts still available for Town citizens over the age of 65, and waiving the $50 application fee for out-of-town Constables if they are employees of the Town of Oxford). Selectman Saad noted that it had come to his attention that 25 percent of each constable’s service fees were to be paid to the Town and requested that Town Manager Zeneski provide an internal audit report from the Town Treasurer’s office listing which appointed constables had been submitting the percentage to the Town. Mr. Zeneski indicated that he would obtain the necessary audit before the next meeting.

The Board received the resignation of Police Officer Jason Burdett and voted to send a letter of appreciation to Officer Burdett for his service to the Town. Following this vote, it was documented that the second-half of the 2012 real estate tax bills had been mailed on April 18, were due on Friday, May 18, and that anyone wishing to file an abatement must do so by May 18; the Oxford Republican town committee had sent an invitation to the Board to participate in their annual get-together to be held at the Senior Center on May 3 at 6:30 p.m.; and an additional invitation had been received to attend the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Nicholas Tavares of Boy Scout Troop 161 on Saturday, May 26, at 1 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the United Methodist Church 465 Main Street, Oxford. A reminder was also given about the annual town meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 2, at 7 p.m. at the high school.

Selectmen requests included a discussion about the general disrepair of the Carbuncle Pond bath house/concession stand and need for a new structure as well as upcoming installation of signage involving Oxford’s historical district. Selectman Saad then reviewed the need for additional part-time assistance for Selectmen’s Clerk, Karen Crandell. He questioned Mr. Zeneski as to why the appropriation request for part-time help had been omitted from the town warrant, and Mr. Zeneski was to look into the matter. Selectman Saad highly praised Ms. Crandell’s strong job performance and restated the need for assistance in the selectmen’s office. Lastly, Selectman Lamountain spoke about the communityc center’s sanitary facilities and the first-floor’s substandard building conditions as compared to the other floors of the community center. Executive session was then called, and the public meeting was concluded.

By Thomas D’Agostino 
Patriot Correspondent

WEBSTER - Oxford Town Manager Joseph M. Zeneski and Board of Selectmen Chair Jennie L. Caissie addressed the Webster Board of Selectmen on Monday April 23 to discuss the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the two towns in regard to sewer hookup. The contract is for Oxford residents to have the ability to tie into Webster’s wastewater management system. As customers they would pay for the service but cannot sell it to another municipality.

Dudley asked Oxford for a possibility to tie into the system. The Webster Board of Selectmen clearly stated that Oxford does not have the authority to sell the service to another municipality. “We clearly stated that you cannot do that (make an agreement with Dudley). So I don’t know how you went into an agreement by doing that.” Chairman Walter Ricci stated.

The Webster Board of Selectmen and Oxford officials amended some of the language in the original IMA agreement to state that Oxford can only use the facility for wastewater generated in Oxford. This amendment makes sure that if Dudley wants to use Webster’s facility, it must go through Webster. According to Mr. Zeneski, only a few Dudley residents wanted to connect to the system.

In other business, Dore and Whittier Architects, Inc. presented the board with an update on the new Park Avenue Elementary School. The present school is fifty years old and not only 23 per cent undersized, but the whole infrastructure has outlived its useful life. The heating and ventilation are outdated, the roof leaks, the building has no fire sprinkler system, and the operational costs are high due to inefficient and faulty systems.

The present grade structure is also a factor. Webster presently has a K-2 elementary school, 3-6 middle school and 7-12 senior high school.  Superintendent Dr. Gregory M. Ciardi addressed the board, “These grade level configurations are very unusual.”  Mr. Ciardi also stated, “We are fixing the school system at the same time we are fixing the school.”

Ninety eight percent of people surveyed on the subject stated they wanted a K-4, 5-8 and 9-12 grade structure configuration. Dr. Ciardi stated, “What this project does, it not only fixes a building problem, it creates an opportunity for a grade structure. It makes educational sense, it makes child development sense, and in fact represents what ninety eight percent of us wanted, those surveyed, wanted.”

At present, state reimbursement would cover a projected 77.9% of the cost leaving the town with about $15.9- 17.4 million dollars in out-of- pocket costs. If the voters choose not to have the new school built, the repairs to the present school would not be funded at all by the state and would total about 19.8 million dollars. This would only address necessary repairs, and the school would still need replacing. If Webster does not move forward with the project the current agreement with the state will expire and the community will lose funding.

Finance Committee Chairman Michael Finamore addressed the board in regard to informing the public that this is one of four building projects the citizens of Webster will be paying for. The police and fire stations were already approved, Bay Path School is  the third and the Park Avenue School is the fourth. The Bay Path Article is on the warrant for the May 14 Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Finamore stated that he is all for the new school but just wants to make sure the voters are aware of what these projects will cost them. Mr. Finamore said, “We are not anti-school. What I’m bringing forward is the figures that it’s going to cost an average citizen in the Town of Webster that owns a house.”

The new sustainable “green” building would address these issues as well as provide 21^st century learning facilities, special education classrooms, full handicap accessibility and would amount to a forty one percent projected electrical and heating cost reduction. The three level building is designed to be in keeping with the residential neighborhood by resembling condominium homes.

Town Administrator’s review for Fiscal Year 2012 was very favorable. Ratings are based on 1-5, 5 being the highest rating. The review was broken up into eight categories. 1. Planning and Organization, Mr. McAuliffe scored a 4.61;

2. Administration, 4.69.

3. Budget, Financial Planning and Town Meeting, 4.72.

4. Supervising Departments, Agencies and Offices, 4.42.

5. Communication with the Board of Selectmen, 4.5.

6. Communication with the Community 4.43.

7. Relationships with staff, 4.41.

8.  Property management, 4.56.

The overall rating was 4.54 out of a possible 5. Chairman Ricci stated “I was very pleased to be the chairman with you as the Town Administrator.”

Mr. McAuliffe thanked and praised everyone who has been part of the town’s development and growth. Mr. McAuliffe also said, “It’s great to have a supportive board that recognizes we are all here for the same reason.”

Discussion on peddlers in town setting up and selling their wares was an issue. Local businesses have complained that peddlers are setting up and selling the same wares, taking business away from the town. Selectman Deborah Keefe suggested looking into the town issuing peddler’s licenses to the street vendors or having the authorities check to see if they have state licenses. The street peddlers would have to have a state license or a Webster license to sell in town. Selectman Keefe addressed the concern that the street vendors often set up on private property, or during holidays, doing business without anyone checking to see if they have licensed permission to be conducting sales. “We need to verify that these people have peddler’s licenses. Otherwise we can just send them off on their merry way.”

Ted Avlas addressed the board with the possibility of remote participation in regard to meetings where officials are unable to attend but can communicate from other locations. This will be a future issue for the board to vote on.

Board of Health Agent, Cathleen Liberty presented the board with an emergency preparedness handbook. The handbook will be available at the town hall for anyone interested in obtaining one.

Transfer of license for Webster Wine and Liquors was approved.

Waterfront Mary’s was granted an outdoor entertainment license for single solo acoustic acts from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until the end of July. The license is under the stipulation that the music will be soft, unobtrusive and on weekends falling between the aforementioned hours.

Kitchen equipment from the A.J. Sitkowski School and the Webster Senior Center was declared as surplus by the board. The town has advertised to take sealed bids for the equipment.

St. Joseph parish was granted a one-day liquor license for their three-day festival.

Earth Day is Saturday April 28. Anyone wishing to volunteer may contact Debbie Rousseau at 508-949-0067; text to 774-272-1949; or email Deb Horan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register.

Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

DUDLEY - Selectmen on Monday approved an amended Open Government Policy, requiring all meetings to be recorded and made available via cable access and the Internet. The new policy will support the general public’s right to view and be informed of all town committee meetings for proper accountability. Town Administrator Jankowski advised the Board that all Town boards and committees have access to two video recorder meeting rooms. It was noted that several Town committees do not currently video their meetings for the general public’s access, including the  Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Cultural Council, Historical Commission, Library Trustees, Personnel Board, Sewer Commission, Water Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Ed Bazinet sat before the Board to further elaborate on the Town motto discussed at its April 2^nd meeting. Members voted to accept the new Town Motto and to replace the previous phrase. The new Town Motto will be “All was others; All will be others.”

Selectmen also reviewed a front deck building proposal brought by Drafters Sports Café located at 35 Chase Avenue. Crystal Kistner, manager of the café, responded to selectmen’s questions regarding access to the outdoor deck. The deck is to be an extension of the restaurant/bar area with the outdoor aspect mainly a smoker’s area. There would be no outside entry/exit except in emergencies. Selectman Paul Joseph requested elevation drawings and a fire plan, necessitating the approval to be tabled until the next meeting on May 14.

Wayne & Marie Rozenas came before the Board to present a Right of First Refusal notice regarding their intent to sell two acres of their land on Baker Pond Road which was classified under the Agricultural Protection Act. Selectmen voted to personally view the property take up the matter at their next meeting.

The Board appointed Donald Wilson, Jr., to the Capital Improvement Committee with a term to expire on 6/30/15.

Discussion was then held on designations for underground tank storage systems. Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski was asked to address the Board on the process of tank storage approvals. Chief Kochanowski advised the selectmen that the underground tanks for gasoline and service station liquid storage was highly regulated by the DEP and inspections should be completed by August 8, 2012.

It was determined that the Chief, Town Administrator Peter Jankowski, and a selectman to be named in the near future,  would be the designated committee in charge of underground tank approvals.

Selectman Peter Fox gave an update on the Oxford Sewer Project advising the Board that the bid work came in more than $500,000 less than the grant monies to be awarded by the State. The Board will work in alliance with Oxford to determine whether Dudley would be able to participate in the savings aspect.

Following a third reading of the One-Day Liquor License Policy pertaining to commercial licenses, only minor amendments were made.  These changes referred to a 15-member assembly; customers leaving a premise by the designated closing hour; and requirements for police officers’ presence. Daily fees would be $35 for a wine & malt license and $50 for an all alcohol license.

Mr. Jankowski presented his customary Administrator’s Report which included Charter TV’s 2010 Annual Financial Report as well as Providence & Worcester Railroad’s upcoming 2012 Vegetation Control Program/Herbicide Application along it’s rail-bed areas. These reports are available for all Town residents’ review in the Town Administrator’s office.

Lastly, the Board undertook a review of the Annual Town Warrant for the Town Meeting scheduled on Monday, May 21, at 7 p.m. to be held at Shepherd Hill High School. All articles were approved with two changes that included: Article 3 - deleting the language referring to the Spay & Neuter Program as the program is no longer offered and Article 22, Section 2 - a minor editing error concerning underlining in the last sentence.

Chairman Steven Sullivan also announced that tonight’s meeting was to be Selectwoman Nancy Runkle’s last. He spoke glowingly about her accomplishments as did Vice Chair Paul Joseph and after applause from the audience and all Board members, Ms. Runkle was presented with an impressive bouquet of beautiful flowers. After Selectwoman Runkle’s remarks, the Board  adjourned for Executive Session. Members in attendance this evening included Nancy Runkle, Paul Joseph, Steven Sullivan, Jonathan Ruda, and Peter Fox. Absent was Student rep, Katie Racicot. Also present were Michelle Jervis, Administrative Secretary, and Peter Jankowski, Town Administrator.

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

Spring is here along with the usual sights and sounds. Flowers are blooming, trees are budding, roads need repair and Webster’s Annual Town Meeting is in the air. At the Webster Board of Selectmen Meeting on April 9, J.T. Gaucher and Kenneth Pizzetti presented a host of issues and warrants for the board to address.

One issue was the roadwork needed around the town. Of the eighty miles of road, nineteen miles need to be crack sealed and four miles are in bad condition. Town Administrator John McAuliffe told the board that crack sealing was paramount in order to keep them from breaking up as well.  “You don’t do your worst roads first, because, essentially they’re that far gone…the crack filling program is of paramount importance.” citing accepted engineering tactics for road repair. Mr. McAuliffe also stated that Webster fared better than a lot of communities in regard to road conditions.

Selectman Deborah Keefe asked for a list of the roads that will receive attention. Mr. Gaucher and Mr. Pizzetti will travel the roads one more time to make final determinations and costs for repair.

In regard to the Bay Path School update, the state reimbursement has gone up 1 percent to 64 percent.

In regard to the dog hearings from previous meetings, Selectman Keefe suggested that someone visit the owner’s home to verify that all the proper recommendations have been met and the dog is safely confined to the property. The owner had from the last meeting date until April 9 to comply.

Webster entered into an Inter-Municipal Agreement with Oxford for usage of the water sewer treatment plant. It came to light that Oxford is working with Dudley to make that town a customer of Oxford.. Selectman Keefe said, “Mr. (Joseph) Zeneski (Oxford Town Manager) was explicit, ‘I want to be a customer.’ As a customer you don’t have the right to sell your wares to someone else when you bought it from us. He’s no longer a customer.”

“He is a broker.” Selectman Mark G. Dowgiewicz said while receiving a few chuckles from the attendees.

Selectman Keefe went on to say “I am more than happy to try to work…where we can work something out at that end of the town (Dudley) to accommodate those people. I mean, I think that it's a great thing but it has to go through Webster, not bypass Webster and go through Oxford, making (Dudley) customers Oxford customers…”

Keefe recommended getting together with Oxford and Dudley officials to clarify the issue.

Another issue on the agenda was an update on the sewer tie-ins. The town bylaw 546-1 Sewer Connections states “The Sewer Commission requires the owner or occupant of any building that requires sewerage discharge (hereinafter referred-to as "facility") and is situated upon land abutting a public or private way, in which there is common sewer service available, to connect the same by proper and sufficient drain. In the case of facilities abutting common sewers constructed prior to the effective date of this bylaw, the facility shall be connected to the common sewer within two years of the date that the common sewer first became available. In the case of common sewers installed after the effective date of this bylaw, the facility shall be connected to the common sewer within 18 months from the date that the common sewer first became available.”

There are presently thirty-five homes on the list that are not connected for various reasons. The board asked that the list be broken down and several homes at a time receive explicit attention as to whether they need to be connected or may be exempt from connection. Some have roads in Connecticut or are adjacent to the sewer lines but not along them. Some homes are 200 to 800 feet from the road with bedrock between making it impractical to connect.

In New Business, the issue of raising recreational fees was brought up. The issue is whether the fees should be raised for the new fiscal year or at the start of the next calendar year. Permits for several leagues have already been submitted with the present fees in place. The board was concerned with some leagues paying one fee and others having to pay a new fee during this season.

Chairman Dan Ricci made a request to wait until fall when the fields close as some seasons have already started. If the fees are changed for the fiscal year, then sports starting in July will have to pay a new fee. If the fees are to start with the calendar year, then sports will see a new fee next season. Permits are based on the calendar year. At present, the fees do not offset the cost of maintenance or line items needed in the upkeep of the fields. It was also made clear that the new fees would not have much more of an impact on the issue.

A Warrant has been opened for the Special Town Meeting on June 11. All petitions must be in by May 2, 3:00 p.m.

Town Administrator’s goals and accomplishments were also addressed. Mr. McAuliffe gave a list of accomplishments the town saw in the past fiscal year. One major accomplishment Mr. McAuliffe cited was that the town was removed from the Department of Revenue watch list for Fiscal Year 2011-2012. Town Free Cash for 2011 was $39,745. It now stands at $585,390. Sewer, water and the Stabilization Account have also seen a rise in their funds. “This is a big feather in everyone’s cap.” Mr. McAuliffe added.

Other accomplishments include a police substation on Main Street, continued improvement on restaurant inspection protocol, coordinated liquor license inspections with the Board of Health and Fire Department, no increase in water or sewer taxes, Phase II of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is underway, successfully implemented the water shutoff program to a total of $211,000, the process of merging the fire and rescue departments, a new town website and Facebook account  (please check them out), major changes in health insurance, saving the town between $300,000 to $350,000, nuisance properties were razed, approval of a solar farm, and a new heating system for the town hall.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new animal shelter brought about by a generous donation from the Fels Foundation will take place on April 21. Mr. McAuliffe urges everyone to attend and adopt a pet.

The warrants for the annual and special town meetings were approved as well. Among the warrants is the approval of new town vehicles. Some of the vehicles are twelve years old and according to Mr. Gaucher, have outlived their life cycle. Chairman Ricci held fast in his request to have one vehicle replaced per year so as not to burden the taxpayers in still tough times. This was his stand last year as well.

“I would support one, but not two for this year.” Chairman Ricci said.

“I think they should have been replaced last year.” Selectman Dowgiewicz stated.

Chairman Ricci was concerned that the town may be purchasing more vehicles than there is workforce to use them.

OXFORD – Selectmen on Tuesday, April 3, signed the Inter-municipal Agreement between the Town of Oxford and the Town of Dudley for the Transportation of Wastewater. Dudley selectmen had signed the agreement the day before, after rejecting it at their March 19 meeting.

Town Manager Joseph Zeneski said there had been some misunderstanding with Dudley, which was resolved after meetings between town and state officials.

The agreement allows Oxford to build a pressure sewer line through Dudley, which will then connect to the Webster waste treatment plant. Owners of Dudley properties along the route will be able to connect to the line, but they will be customers of Oxford, which will do the billing and collecting.

In January, Oxford received a $2.2 million grant from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program for the sewer line extension, given specifically to support IPG Photonics' expansion of its corporate headquarters in the town.

At its announcement, the grant was described as a win for all three towns. The businesses in Oxford on Old Webster Road would be able to tie in, future development along Old Oxford Road in Dudley would become possible, and for Webster it meant additional customers for its greatly underutilized sewage treatment plant.

At the Tuesday meeting, selectmen also voted to increase the license fees for certain businesses after discussing the time involved to administer the paperwork, the police support required in some cases, and the fact that these fees had not been changed since 2007.

Class I, II, and III car sales licenses will increase from $75 to $100. Yard sales permits will go from $5 to $10. A new fee for out-of-town constables will be $50. There will be no charge for local constables.

Selectmen had a lengthy discussion about the appropriate increase for alcohol sales licenses, noting that Oxford's 2 a.m. bar closing time brings people from surrounding communities with 1 a.m. closing times, necessitating extra police patrols.

The fees were changed as follows:

The all-alcohol license fee for pouring and package stores increased from $1,000 to $1,350. Establishments that stay open until 2 a.m. will pay an additional $150 “special privilege” fee.

The all-alcohol fee for private clubs remains $675. Wine and malt pouring fees go from $575 to $775, wine and malt package store fees go from $525 to $725, and special pouring licenses (30 days in a calendar year) will go from $100 to $125.

In other business, Mr. Zeneski reported that the town had received a notice from Lt. Governor Timothy Murray that the town's Chapter 90 apportionment for FY 2013 is $505,143, based on the passage of the pending bond bill. Chapter 90 monies are used for local transportation infrastructure improvements.

Mr. Zeneski also brought a request from the School Building Committee to add $1.7 million to the proposed $5.7 million budget for air conditioning for the Oxford Middle School project. While the extra costs would be reimbursed at 57% by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the board agreed that it did not wish to add to the taxpayers burden, and did not act on the request.

The board also initiated a review of Access Oxford cable to determine how the $140,000 per year paid to Charter is being spent, and to assess the possibility of updating the video recording equipment.

Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

Dudley Selectmen moved quickly through a full agenda of Town business on Monday evening April 2, first reviewing the most urgent item, the inter-municipal wastewater transportation agreement between the towns of Oxford and Dudley, which the board had rejected at its last meeting.

Oxford Town Manager Joseph Zeneski said the revised, finalized sewer agreement explicitly states that the new sewer line to be installed from Oxford and through Dudley for connection to the Webster Waste Treatment Plant was an independent sewer line for IPG Photonics and property owners along the new line only. The new 8-inch gravity sewer line was to be as distinctive and separate from any other Dudley lines and would be administered by the Town of Oxford, including billings and connections for any other property owner abutting the line who chose to be connected.  “First come-first served,” Mr. Zeneski stated.

Discussion also included the fact that the Webster Sewer Plant was running well-below its capabilities and capacity. The agreement was signed off by the Dudley Board (minus Selectman Peter Fox who was absent) and delivered to Mr. Zeneski.

The next orders of business included five unanimous appointments: Anne Marie Gray to the Personnel Board for a term expiring 6/30/13; Michael Mayotte to the Capital Improvement Committee through 6/30/15; Barbara Zurawski to the Economic Development Committee to fill a term expiring 6/30/12; and Ryan Zablocki to the Conservation Commission with a term expiring 6/30/13. Richard Holewa was reappointed as Veteran’s Agent through 4/30/13.  The Board thanked all of the newly-appointed local citizens for stepping forward to support the betterment of Dudley.

The Board then reviewed and unanimously approved (with Chairman Steven Sullivan abstaining) a one-day wine-serving license and a one-day wine & malt license for Nichols College for events to be held on April 4^th and 24^th, respectively, as well as approved overflow parking permission on Center Road for Nichols commencement exercises on May 5.

Selectmen also reviewed the Annual Election Ballot of May 7, 2012, that included a question on debt exclusions for energy costs, which the members unanimously approved, as well as a question on the debt exclusion for the Bay Path High School’s renovation project. Selectmen Sullivan, Nancy Runkle, and Paul Joseph approved the Bay Path question to voters with Selectman Jonathan Ruda opposed due to finalized budget numbers being unavailable. Chairman Sullivan stated that “placing these questions on the ballot in no way grants approval by the Board. These two questions will go before the voters to decide.”

The Board tabled for later review Fire Chief Kochanowski’s ambulance collection fee policy as well as the special liquor license policy and the open government policy.

Mike Branniff, secretary of the Dudley Historical Commission, came before the Board to present/request the latest reapplication to the Mass. Historical Commission for the Stevens Mills LLC Reuse Project. The Stevens Mill Project was awarded $300,000 in tax credits in early March and Mr. Branniff was requesting the Board’s letter of support for the next funding cycle ending 4/30/12.

Selectmen Joseph moved to continue support but wanted to meet with the building owner(s) to obtain a tour of the facility and to become aware of progress and plans. The plan continues unchanged at 164 rental units. Selectman Runkle stated that the current owners have not come before the Planning Board yet for a site plan review.

Mr. Ed Bazinet then presented a replica of a cornerstone to the Board requesting that its wording “All was others – All will be others” become the new Town motto. The cornerstone’s wording was a paraphrase of a Scottish inscription and had once been a part of the Stevens’ Linen Mill’s wheelhouse in 1859 where it was prominently displayed for all employees to see. Chairman Sullivan made a motion to review and revisit this request at a later date.

Town Administrator Peter Jankowski, submitted his customary report which included a review of efficiencies pertaining to electronic document scanning for the Board members’ offsite review; an update on the Dudley fiscal budget which is ongoing with all Town departments; information regarding the removal of the old West Dudley bridge; and the fact that the Dudley Highway Dept. had taken a pro-active stance regarding brush-clearing on Perryville Road. Selectwoman Runkle reviewed with the Board an upcoming Citizen Planner Class scheduled for April 5.

Members in attendance: Chairman Steven Sullivan; Vice-Chairman Paul Joseph; Clerk Nancy Runkle; and Jonathan Ruda. Absent: Peter Fox and Student Rep, Katie Racicot. Also present: Michelle Jervis, Administrative Secretary, and Peter Jankowski, Town Administrator.