By Michael Gelbwasser, Contributing Writer
Westborough – The Westborough Board of Selectmen supported cutting the Historical Commission secretary's hours, but it's a smaller cut than Town Manager Jim Malloy had originally proposed.
At its meeting Feb. 25, the board voted 3-2 to support funding 15 hours per month for the secretary as proposed by Selectman Timothy Dodd.
Malloy had recommended cutting the secretary's current 15-hour work week to 10 hours per month for the town budget year starting July 1. However, only two of the five selectmen voted to support that plan at the upcoming March 15 annual town meeting.
Selectman Leigh Emery said she would support a smaller cut.
“I wanted to give them (the commission) a year to kind of adjust,” she said.
Selectmen Vice Chair George Barrette said Malloy looked at other towns” historical commission staffing in developing his recommendation.
“Compared to other towns, you don's see somebody in a historical commission office like that,” Barrette said.
Participants in Westborough's Senior Property Tax Work Program could work at the commission office “and not put money in the budget,” he said. The program allows seniors to work to reduce property tax obligations.