M E E T I N G M A T T E R S
Ashburnham BOARD OF SELECTMEN SEPTEMBER 5, 2006
Compiled by Nicole LeBlanc Journal Correspondent

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Selectmen disagreed over whether the town should begin to enact a provision of the state Community Preservation Act.

"It's a way for a town to get some money back from the state," Selectman Christopher Gagnon said.

He said that to participate in this act would be profitable for the town because the state will match the funds that Ashburnham raises.

The allows a town to save funds for the preservation of open space and land for recreational activities, historical buildings and affordable housing. These funds, in turn, will be matched by the state.

"CPA allows towns and cities that accept its provisions to levy a community-wide real estate property tax surcharge of up to 3 percent for the purpose of creating a local Community Preservation Fund and qualifying for state matching funds," according to the CPA Web site.

Dennehy disagreed with Gagon, saying that money should be coming back from the state anyway and that it would be wrong to create an additional tax in order to save money. He also said that because the tax is on the assessed value of homes, the tax would increase as the value of homes increased.

"It's grossly unfair to communities like ours," he said. "CPA is an extremely bad law."

Gagon said that the option should be at least investigated. He believes that the state will match the funds and pointed out that other communities have used the funds for things such as athletic fields and rebuilding historic sites.

Although 10 percent of the funds need to be used on specific town items, 70 percent of the funds are left up to the town's discretion and can be used to move a town forward.

The act was signed into effect by Gov. Cellucci and Lt. Gov. Swift in 2000.

Other News:

 Shelly Hatch, of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, said that the Page's Beach water line upgrade project is ahead of schedule and there will be money left over in the budget from the state grant. A request is being sent to the state for the surplus money to be used for families who have not yet received service connections and who meet income requirements. Money leftover from this will be used for street paving.

 Effective immediately, Gil Carreiro was approved as the new Water/Sewer Commissioner. He replaces Valerie Daigle in a three-year term.

 Eagle Scouts Steven Lang, Alexei Popko and Anthony Faler were congratulated for earning their titles.

"It's not an award," Dennhey said to the Eagle Scouts. "It's an achievement. You earned it."

 Dennehy made a public apology because he felt personally responsible for the selectmen meeting workshop that was not televised on Aug. 16. He said he had viewed the meeting as being less formal and of less interest.

"It was not my interest to hide anything from the public," he said.

Dennehy said televised meetings are not mandatory under the state open meeting law, although they are advised. He will oppose future efforts to not televise meetings.

 Several employees were recognized at the meeting for their recent accomplishments. Jim Zarozinski completed the Road Scholar Program, Donna Burton completed the Assessors 101 Program and Fire Chief Paul Zbikowski participated in the Fire Chief's National Committee.

"In the entire country, a couple hundred chiefs were invited to participate," said Paicos, putting into perspective the honor Zbikowski received to be selected.