MEETING MATTERS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN

JULY 9, 2007

Compiled by Caitlyn Kelleher

Journal Reporter

Top Story:

Selectmen voted unanimously to hold a special town election on Tuesday, Aug. 14, to determine if voters would support a lower override to fund the school budget.

An override of Proposition 2 1/2 to fund the school budget failed in both Ashburnham and Westminster on June 12. The override would have given another $1.2 million to the school district.

The Regional School Committee recertified a the school district operating budget at a lower figure - $27,555,571 - and has asked the selectmen in both towns to fund the new budget. Selectmen in both towns have decided to seek another override.

The new override figure being requested is between the two towns is $806,146. Westminster's share of the override is $492,459.

Keith Harding, a member of the Advisory Board, spoke out against holding the second election, saying that by doing so the selectmen are supporting the minority.

"I think there is a different standard being applied," he said.

Selectman Nick Hay said he didn't think democracy was being by passed because people still have the right to turn out and say no.

Selectman Thomas O'Toole said the upcoming vote was different because the request from the school committee had been lowered.

"It's a different number, so it's a whole different situation now," he said. Selectman John Fairbanks and O'Toole voted in favor of not holding a special town meeting on the issue, while Hay voted in favor of holding the meeting.

Fairbanks requested the school committee or the administration hold two or three public informational sessions - including a mid-day one - in Westminster to explain the changes to the proposed override and the implications to the budget as well as to answer residents' questions.

"I think we need to guarantee that people have a chance to ask you questions," he said.

Some wanted to hold the special town meeting because it is part of the election process but Fairbanks said lawyers from the state departments of education and revenue as well as the town's attorney said there isn't a legal need to hold the meeting.

In other business:

• Chip and Patricia Ackles, of North Common Road, appeared before the selectmen again this week to discuss the terms of a proposed agreement over their concerns a town tree was improperly taken down in front of their house.

They have not agreed to the proposal offered by the selectmen to remove the stump and replace the tree with a tree three-inches in diameter. They instead want to have the stump removed and $2,000.

"I'd like to keep to the original proposal," O'Toole said.

The selectmen voted unanimously to offer only the original deal. Hay said he accept the concept of planting a shrub instead of a tree.

"I'm sorry if you think this unfair," Fairbanks said.

The couple first appeared before the board last year, after the tree on the edge of North Common Road was chopped down on order of the tree warden. They said they were not properly notified of the impending removal of the tree.

"It's devastating," said atricia Ackles.

•Selectmen supported the policy that only Westminster residents can received passes to Crocker Pond Recreation Area. They also voted to allow more than two passes for residents' vehicles to be distributed at the discretion of the town clerk. The three board members retained the right to reconsider that policy if parking becomes an issue at the recreation area.

• Selectmen appointed Karen Irving to the 250th Anniversary Committee.