Town Meeting approves funding for contract raises
By Catie Foertsch Community Reporter

Westborough - At the Special Town Meeting Oct. 22, voters banned Jet Skis on Lake Chauncy, shifted eligible retirees to Medicare Part B and supplemental plans, and approved funding for raises for most of the town's union workers.

But the two unions that represent the largest body of town workers have not approved contracts and any raises they might negotiate have not been funded.

Finance Committee Chair Ian Johnson told voters that going into Town Meeting, the town had $425,000 in excess levy capacity. Voters' approval of the spending articles in the warrant left just $205,000 excess levy capacity, and raised the tax rate by 6 cents, for an increase of $27 in annual taxes for the average homeowner.

Union contracts

Article Two on the warrant asked the town for $213,649 to pay for raises for the clerical, Department of Public Works (DPW), police officers, school administrators and school secretarial unions. Voter John Rainey asked Town Coordinator Henry Danis how the town would fund raises if and when the two unsettled unions - the teachers and paraeducators unions - agreed to a contract. Danis replied that once the tax rate is set at a November selectmen's meeting, the tax rate could no longer be increased.

"If they settle, will we have to pay next year?" Rainey asked. "Where will the money come from?"

"I don't know," Danis replied.

In a close vote Oct. 19, the teachers union rejected the contract agreed to by its negotiating team and the School Committee. The paraeducators union negotiating team and the School Committee have not reached an agreement on a contract.

Public safety

complex

Voters approved the borrowing of $1.7 million to fund an architect and other costs associated with developing plans for a new police and fire station on Milk Street.

Historical Commission Cochair Paula Skog told Town Meeting that the commission is not working to preserve the old fire station. Due to extensive renovations in the 1980s, she said, the only remnants of the historical fire station are one wall, a crumbling tower and a slate roof. Skog asked that the design of the new building incorporate some elements of the old fire station.

Lake Chauncy ban

Police Chief Alan Gordon told voters that non-Westborough residents who can't use their Jet Skis irresponsibly on Lake Quinsigamond and other area lakes are coming to Lake Chauncy, riding their water craft at excessive speeds, "jousting" and endangering boaters, kayakers and bathers. The town approved a ban on Jet Skis. Although the lake is state-owned, the law allows such a ban if approved by the state environmental police, who have indicated that they would support the ban.

Other articles

Voters approved the adoption of Mass. General Law 32B section 18, which requires eligible retirees to enroll in Medicare Part B and a supplemental health insurance plan. The purpose, Assistant Town Coordinator Maryanne Bilodeau said, is to save money and to use a service (Medicare) the town and its employees pay nearly a million dollars annually for. The law requires that the supplemental insurance plans for those who enroll in Medicare result in comparable coverage.

Voters turned down a request by Danis to shift the start time for the Annual Town Meeting in May from 1 p.m. to 10 a.m. Voters approved a petition to the legislature for a full liquor license for Sapporo Restaurant on East Main Street.

Voters also approved the transfer of $15,000 from the town's open space trust for development of a use plan for the Lee property.