MEETING MATTERS
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MONDAY, OCT. 29, 2007
Compiled by Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Reporter

Top Story:

Selectmen reviewed potential articles for the fall town meeting warrant at their meeting on Monday and decided to remove a controversial article regarding the demolition of the old town hall on Bacon Street.

The board agreed to wait until the potential town meeting in January or the annual town meeting in May to take up the issue, which garnered a lot of debate at their meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

One of the main issues that selectmen are concerned about is where the library will relocate to during the potential renovation of that building. The old town hall is one of the sites being discussed.

"We have to wait until everything else is settled," said Selectman Thomas O'Toole.

Selectmen also agreed to remove an article on the warrant that would have asked voters to reimburse parents the cost of athletic and co-curricular fees.

Selectmen Chairman John Fairbanks said at this time the fees are in the "reasonable" range so he doesn't think it is necessary to reimburse parents.

"If we're sitting here a year from now and they're getting exorbitant then I'll be the first to change my minds," he said.

Westminster residents had voted to reimburse parents the cost of the co-curricular fees at the high school in previous years when the programs were entirely self-funded. Currently a student athlete and marching band members must pay $100 per sport and students participating in co-curricular activities must pay $60 at the high school and $50 at the middle school.

Selectmen also agreed to keep on an article to ask voters to appropriate $7,000 for the parks and recreation committee to pay for a custodian to keep the elementary schools open after hours. The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Committee agreed to the proposal by the schools administration to close the elementary schools on alternative evenings as a way to save money after the override failed in August.

The town's recreation department wants the additional money to pay for custodian - a requirement for an open building - in order for the youth basketball program to continue without rescheduling.

Selectman Nick Hay raised questions about why the hours have been reduced in the schools. He said he supported keeping the article on the warrant but said he may not support the article's request.

"If we want to continue the program the way we have in the past we have to do something," said Erik Phillips, a member of the parks and recreation committee.

Selectmen agreed to keep a number of other articles on the warrant including budget transfer items. One of the proposed issues would increase the funding for heat and utility costs. Town Coordinator Karen Murphy is still working on determining how much more money is going to be needed.

The selectmen agreed to keep on an article to fund a site review of 69 West Main St., which is where they are hoping to have two senior housing complexes built as well as a senior center for town residents. The cost of this article is still unclear because it has to include the cost of having an expert review the existing buildings for hazardous materials on site, said Murphy

In other news:

• The selectmen drafted a letter to the department heads that will require them to submit their budget requests by Dec. 12, for the 2009 fiscal year. Selectmen are asking for written explanations for all requested increases.

• Selectmen voted 3-0 to hold onto the interest from the bond, which has been taken out by the Westminster Business Park owners.

• Selectmen voted 3-0 to have O'Toole continue to be the representative to the Industrial Development Committee for the Board of Selectmen.

• Selectmen agreed to keep Town Hall open on the Monday before Christmas and New Years, but the town offices will close at 1 p.m. on those two days.

• The Westminster Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization received permission from the Selectmen to light the large tree on Academy Hill this year as part of the Christmas celebration events. The Selectmen requested the lights be removed by Jan. 8.