Bridges, Bay Path and barkers among issues at Webster BOS meeting

By Thomas D’Agostino
Patriot Correspondent

The Webster Board of Selectmen addressed a diverse agenda on Monday, February 27.

 DPW Director J.T. Gaucher addressed the board in regard to the closing of Exit 2 Northbound on Route 395. The exit acceleration lane is on the bridge that will undergo joint repairs and painting. The project is slated to begin on March 15 and will take about six months to complete. Traffic will be rerouted to Cudworth Road and there will be plenty of signs and notices for drivers to prepare for the detour. Traffic will also be monitored for the detours. More information on the project will be posted in the local papers and on cable access.

Bistro Eighty Ates was granted an entertainment license by the board. Selectman Deborah A. Keefe suggested that the board follow up on all establishments requiring entertainment licenses to ensure facilities are not having entertainment without proper permits.

Next on the agenda was a hearing in regard to a dangerous dog complaint by a town resident. The resident had filed numerous complaints against another resident whose dog was seen roaming the neighborhood unattended and, in a few instances, attacked the claimant’s dog. Animal Control Officer Michelle Lafleche had taken the dog into custody several times.

The owner of the pet had an electric fence installed but claimed it was broken and was not aware of that fact until recently. During the hearing, Lafleche stated that the fence was tested at one point and found to be in working order. Since the incidents, the owner has erected a kennel where the dog is now kept pending repair of the fence. A warning about keeping the dog on a leash while walking with it was also given to the defendant.

It was the board’s decision to have the fence repaired and tested within seven days of the hearing and the dog kenneled at all times until such repairs are made. Selectman Keefe also included that proper care of the laws regarding the dog was the owner’s responsibility and if such regulations were not observed, the dog would have to be removed from the town.

The board was given a presentation on the renovation and expansion for the Bay Path Regional Vocational High School. The school currently serves 1,074 students from ten towns, Webster being one of them. The school opened in 1972 as a facility designed to house 850 students. The project would expand the school by 50,000 square feet, including seven new science labs, code compliance upgrades, abatement of hazardous materials, replacement of an old roof with a new energy efficient one, new enhanced sprinkler and fire alarm system, new water system, renovated and expanded library/media center, energy efficient windows, universally handicapped accessibility and updated HVAC system and equipment. The Massachusetts School Building Authority gave the go-ahead for the project in 2009. The school is in dire need of restoration and expansion to accommodate state compliance and space for students. The total project cost was estimated at $73,792,000. The MSBA state reimbursement will cover $46,494,000 leaving a sum of $27,306,000 to be divided up between the ten towns. The estimated Net Principal Cost to the Town of Webster would be $3,363,000. Percentage of costs to towns was based on the number of K-12 students within the towns. There are 19,818 K-12 students in ten towns. 12.32 percent reside in Webster. The estimated tax impact on the average home valued at $231,496 would be $10.97 for Fiscal year 2014 with a maximum cost of $33.73.

If the towns do not agree on the addition/renovation, the school must still make infrastructure and site repairs at a cost of $15,806,999. This total would come out of the ten towns with no state funding. The project is estimated to take two and one half years to complete with ground breaking in the spring of 2013.

The issue will be addressed and voted on during the Annual Town Meeting in May.

An addition to liquor licenses, by adding cordials to the present wine and malt license, will also go to town vote.

A vote to approve the payment of liabilities incurred during Fiscal year 2012 in excess of available appropriations for snow and ice removal pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 44, ss 31D also passed.

The board approved the 2012 Webster Sailing Association racing schedule as well as awarding the Negus Street Reconstruction Project contract to CME Associates, Inc. at a cost of $81, 500.

The board approved the discharge of a lien on 40 Lincoln Street.