SACC, Historical Commission Provide Updates to Selectmen

Historical Commission Chairman James Gaffney told the Board of Selectmen that a survey of the town's historical assets, in the works for two years, has been completed.

At their meeting Tuesday, selectmen were walked through a slide presentation of the survey process, which cost $24,500 and was paid for with Community Preservation funds.

In addition, it was announced that longtime Historical Commission member Beverly Bennett would be stepping down. She was honored with a citation from the Board of Selectmen for her many years of service to the community.

In other business:

• announced that the Police Department had received a $5,000 public safety grant. Montuori said the money would be used in the department's efforts to combat underaged drinking. Specifically, the funds will be used to pay for overtime and proactive efforts to spot-check local establishments to make sure they are not selling alcohol to minors.
• He said 2.5 percent was the normal increase allowed by state law, 5.0 percent came from the generated from costs associated with the construction of the new high school and 6.0 percent was the result of sewer debt being shifted to the property tax levy. According to Montuori, if the State Legislature does not approve the Home Rule petition needed to complete the sewer debt shift, the property tax bills will be adjusted accordingly in January.
• The selectmen approved a request by Montuori to declare an emergency situation, which will allow the town to use insurance funds to replace a earlier this year.
• Selectmen Scott Wilson, who serves as chairman of the Special Act Charter Commission, updated the board on the progress of the SACC. and is in the process of finishing the draft of the proposed new charter, as well as an executive report, outlining data the SACC had compiled over the past two years. Wilson said the draft and the report should be ready to present to selectmen in early August.
• Selectwoman Anne-Marie Stronach, who also serves as chairwoman of the Green Committee, told selectmen the town is waiting for official notification
• Selectmen approved the appointment of Brian Schofield to fill a vacancy on the Economic Development Committee. Schofield is the owner of Wicked Cheesy pizza.