By Keith Regan, Community Reporter
Northborough- With little debate to slow down proceedings, Town Meeting swiftly approved operating and capital budgets for the town and its school districts on the first night of Town Meeting April 27, working through more than 50 of the 63 articles awaiting action.
Agreement among the scant quorum of just over 100 voters scattered throughout the auditorium at Algonquin Regional High School reflected the opinions of leadership as well, with the Financial Planning Committee and Appropriations Committee all unanimously aligned behind the spending plans.
Town Administrator John Coderre presented a $19.9 million fiscal year 2016 operating budget for the town that he said contained “no wild initiatives” or “major changes to the services being offered.” The budget, which overall increases by 3.5 percent, replaces two positions at the Department of Public Works cut during the last recession and continues the town’s focus on long-term financial planning, including funding of future retirement liabilities.
Voters overwhelmingly backed Coderre’s spending plan then quickly agreed to spend $10.1 million for the Algonquin Regional High School and $893,000 for the Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District for the coming fiscal year.
Voters remained in a spending mood as they tackled the proposed capital budget, approving all 17 articles brought forward through the town’s six-year capital improvement plan, Among the purchases approved were $688,000 for a fire truck replacement; $85,000 for two new police cruisers; $130,000 to the Planning Department for an update to the town’s Master Plan; and $325,000 to replace the culvert on Otis Street that has forced the closure of that road since last summer.
Coderre noted that virtually all of the capital items would be paid for without borrowing, instead using free cash, dedicated revenue streams or user fees.
Voters also agreed to set aside $20,000 for the town’s 250th Anniversary Committee.
The impact of all the spending on the tax bill for the average single family home, valued at $387,617, will be an increase of $269, Coderre said.
In addition to racing through a host of spending articles, voters also made several zoning bylaw amendments, including one that limits where and how long open house signs can be posted and another that removes auto sales as an allowed use in the Business West district along Route 20.
Voters also accepted a provision of state law that establishes a minimum value on personal property subject to taxation of $1,000. A financial analysis found it cost the town more to assess and collect tax on property below that value than it actually brought in.
Board of Health membership was also changed from three members to five, a move the board itself requested.
At the rate Town Meeting worked, initial introductions took as long as the budget debate. Moderator Frederick George and Board of Selectmen Chair Dawn Rand recognized several residents for their service to the town, including Library Director Jean Langley and Fire Chief Richard Durgin, both of whom are retiring this year after long careers with the town.
(Editor’s note – The article to establish White Cliffs as a historic district was due to be addressed after this issue of the Community Advocate went to press. For more information visit www.communityadvocate.com
