Advisory Board to Scrutinize How Town Spending Affects Tax Bill

The Westborough Advisory Finance Committee is telling residents it will look more closely this spring at how Westborough's total spending will affect their tax bill.

The committee asserted this in its report to next Monday night's special town meeting.

"We understand that this means desirable and worthy spending requests will face increased scrutiny. Our intention is to make recommendations that present a prudent balance between affordability and the types and levels of services the Town provides," according to the report, posted Sunday on Westborough's website.

The committee noted that at the fall 2011 special town meeting, it told voters that "the average single family tax bill in 2011 was 2.2 times what it was in 1997, an increase of 120 percent overall, or just under 6 percent annually on average without requiring an override."

Monday night's special town meeting is at 7 at Westborough High School. The warrant is here.

The advisory finance committee is recommending voters approve 26 of the 29 warrant articles, and pass over two others: the ; and a petition to seek state approval for an additional liquor license, for the Bangkok Thai Restaurant.

The committee will make its recommendation at town meeting on Police Chief Alan Gordon's proposed bylaw amendment regarding hunting and shooting. The change would add "except by use of bow and arrow during deer hunting season on public property as allowed by statute" to the bylaw, according to the committee's report.

The board of selectmen is supporting removing the deed restriction at Veterans' Freedom Park, the committee's report notes.

Last week, the planning board voted to recommend waiting on the request until the spring annual town meeting. The recommendation came shortly after a public hearing where abutters raised concerns, and advisory finance committee Chairman Edward Behn said there is confusion on his board regarding the proposal's legality.

Meanwhile, both the advisory finance committee and the selectmen support passing over the petition on the Bangkok Thai liquor license.

The wording isn't in the "proper format for Town Meeting," Town Manager Jim Malloy said in his statement in the warrant.

However, a properly worded request for the Bangkok Thai liquor license is on the warrant, and selectmen and the advisory finance board both support it.

Both boards support allocating $11.2 million for a new fire station.

The advisory finance committee is recommending the planning board's proposed large-scale solar projects bylaw. The board of selectmen voted 1-1-2 on the plan.