By Melanie Petrucci, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Westborough School Superintendent Amber Bock reviewed the School Department articles that will be on the March Town Meeting Warrant and delivered the FY 2018 budget to the Board of Selectmen at their Feb. 14 meeting. The new budget is a 4.98-percent increase over FY 2017.
Bock told the selectmen that the budget is “an enrollment- and special education-driven budget with increases that center on enrollment.”
Article 19 addresses the Hastings Elementary School Geothermal Heating/Cooling System and seeks to borrow up to $2.2 million to repair and improve the system. The project has been awarded and Bock will have a full presentation for Town Meeting.
Article 20 involves the Armstrong Modular Project and will allow the appropriation of $1.5 million to demolish and remove four existing modular classrooms. Bock reported that the construction and sustainability for modular classrooms has improved greatly and Armstrong should be in good shape for the long term. The conversation of adding a permanent wing to Armstrong can be deferred for many years, she said. Concrete information will be presented at Town Meeting and an architect has been identified.
Article 22 seeks the town’s authorization for the School Department to enter into a lease agreement for property to house a program for sustained school support for special education students ages 18-22. These costs will be paid through the School Department. The opportunity to keep these students in town is beneficial, according to Bock.
Article 21, presented by Conservation Commission Officer Derek Saari, involves a transfer of $29,000 from Free Cash for a feasibility study for evaluating the drainage swale that runs through the high school property. Flooding has been a problem for many years and 325 acres is in question.
Under Article 8, the Capital Improvement Plan, section H involves transferring $210,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund for the replacement of a 1996 rescue vehicle. Fire Chief Patrick Purcell reported that the vehicle has significant corrosion, road mileage and has accrued significant maintenance costs over the years that warrant the need for replacement at this time.
Article 9 was presented by the Council on Aging Director Alma Demanche and Assistant Town Manager Kristi Williams and seeks the town to transfer from Free Cash and appropriate $7,800 to purchase software that will track Senior Center program use. Williams reported that this system includes a card reader/scanner that will also allow for users to register for events. Additional uses of the program include communication capability, tracking volunteer hours and offering language choices.
Town Planner James Robbins presented Articles 34 and 35. Article 34 amends zoning bylaws, specifically pertaining to permitting accessory dwellings, otherwise known as “accessory apartments” or “in-law apartments.” This bylaw change removes the need for homeowners to obtain a special permit. These dwellings are not intended to be income generating and must conform to design requirements, maintaining the look of a single-family dwelling.
Article 35 amends the zoning bylaw to change the requirement for certain commercial uses (businesses without a drive-up window) in the Highway Business District. Those that currently require a special permit to be allowed “by-right” would be permitted through site plan review. Drive-up businesses would still be required to obtain a special permit.
