By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Northborough – Town administrator John Coderre shared a preliminary draft of the warrant for the upcoming 2020 Annual Town Meeting (ATM) at the Board of Selectmen’s Feb. 24 meeting. The ATM is scheduled for Monday, April 27, in the auditorium at Algonquin Regional High School, 79 Bartlett St. at 7 p.m.
“This is just a summary listing and at your next meeting this will be fleshed out with the full description, then at a subsequent meeting you’ll have the final warrant,” Coderre explained.
The draft contains 46 articles. Coderre reminded the board that the order and number can change.
Articles 1 through 11 are standard budget-related articles which are followed by 13 capital budget items contained within the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which has been approved by the Financial Planning Committee. These include various pieces of equipment and building projects.
“There are no really major building projects, but we do have the Assabet water tank rehabilitation and water and sewer operation building bills will be funded through water and sewer user fees,” Coderre said.
Article 26 through 29 pertain to the disposition of the old Fire Station on Church Street, cell tower lease, Town Meeting start and end time changes, and the school bus transportation contract.
Articles 30 through 37 are the annual Community Preservation Fund projects which include management of town ponds, an 18-hole disc golf course at Edmonds Hill, White Cliffs debt service and Northborough Library repairs.
Articles 38 through 45 are zoning amendments that are in development. Coderre said that not much is known at this time.
The warrant concludes with the acceptance of town reports in Article 46.
“Between now and your next meeting, we will give you full write-ups and flesh it out at your March 9 meeting where you will vote to close the warrant,” he noted.