[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6304519,"mediaKeyId","2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21","parentId",2459867,"title","Votes at a glance: selectmen approve minutes, licenses, payroll and warrants; authorize town administrator e‑signatures","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5957000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21&start=5957&end=5957","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21/thumbnail_5957000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304519/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-selectmen-approve-minutes-licenses-payroll-and-warrants-authorize-town-administrator-esignatures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304519-0cf5f8190467d84f8beab8a0ffaf14f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157733&Signature=YtxJz8pen9ArmAfcplnRYVmCi3EP9neeNuoRf3ozSm6whSPkJ1gqjfgMdTxry75c21WFvZP8w8MxpuictC17-vDVDYKIwqEPPOsRBExYACo7BBuCXUZtbsoju~zamDtDRh9x7YPpM9kJodWY0N-tEidHd9vFjqtzMu-5p~tQWej7v7xugmXaz0G7bkHc2FujQkhxJjUkZqas3NVxgKy97xbDPCIBwXCB6kPPCEJNh1wBVFYXBEY0PVX6R~BOo8Joao~QUpKgX28XricDNkyrGeU6py-AiwqqshdTdnKdlcSOq7Wjh1ZtFfKsDxdqYy968DvocSW84oS8q0Pya7I5VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Blackstone, MA","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","At its Feb. 25 meeting the Board of Selectmen recorded the following formal actions and approvals.

Minutes: Motion to approve a bundle of older meeting minutes (dates listed in the record) was made by Selectman Polak and seconded by Selectman Sweeney; the motion passed by voice vote (ayes recorded).

Home‑occupation permit: The board opened a public hearing and approved a home‑occupation permit for ‘‘Blueprint Studio’’ at 30 Edgewater Drive (application referenced as pages 46–50 in the packet). The applicant, identified as Brian (address in packet), said the use was a home office for architectural design with no material storage or construction; the board approved the permit by voice vote after a motion by Selectman Polak and second by Selectman Sweeney.

Electronic signatures: The board voted to authorize the Town Administrator to use electronic signatures for Board of Selectmen licenses on the board’s behalf until the next election. Motion by Selectman Bulso, second by Selectman Sweeney; the motion carried by voice vote.

Business licenses: The board approved a license for Cumberland Farms (license reference in packet) and approved a relocation/auto license (CLA‑25‑161265) for a business relocating to 193 Elm Street. Motions were made and seconded and approved by voice vote.

Warrants/payroll: The board approved payroll warrants 25PWA19 and 25PW19 and vendor warrant 25EW19 following motions from Selectmen (record shows unanimous voice votes).

Recording‑secretary/payments: The board discussed outstanding invoices for recording secretaries and directed staff to develop an internal process, coordinated with the new payroll system, so recording secretaries are paid more promptly. No specific retroactive payment policy was adopted that night; staff said a mechanism will be proposed to the board.

Adjournment: The board voted to adjourn; the motion carried by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Blackstone: Board of Selectmen 02-25-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Selectmen approved a bundle of older meeting minutes, a home‑occupation license, several business licenses, authorization for electronic signatures by the town administrator through the next election, and routine payroll and vendor warrants.","taxTitle","Town of Blackstone, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",61658,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304521,"Selectmen hear recurring concerns about sidewalk snow removal; DPW cites staffing, equipment and cost constraints",603,2880000,3483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21&start=2880&end=3483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21/thumbnail_2880000.jpg","/articles/6304521/Massachusetts/Selectmen-hear-recurring-concerns-about-sidewalk-snow-removal-DPW-cites-staffing-equipment-and-cost-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304521-ea7ffcdcb6950713c8b069756e3ae1e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157733&Signature=gZ2XtZOWxlrsVGmPOK-hxvgkdHSaJm-d7eqtLZtfX73IEH~nDvVP2ABKkfhiV9ircL9cXSoKdEZ6HA4Edk~iupvOkov-amRXP~leDGwuFtWBIbo~yhgwt7ETNZbSyGyjdEnMAigukDaSwLjhZgX7zeGHs5-qLZ-BQYv7ThyNqIQpZ~gNMSDpfluWAHVCaWV~phrWzlcx4~RjY5p~khOe0WUj4FFfVTSWRHe5r~g2FQBbSqZwIxLreD-Hx8XSigcIN1XYkPomxyijNVk1UTDnvzFPlToBY8ZfyMdhiwNRqRx9UxZO8ii71ATcy2EQblw~OqeRHBG8hDp1gPMXiqrb9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members and staff discussed pedestrian safety after the town received a citizen correspondence about snowbanks and uncleared sidewalks on Main Street and Saint Paul Street.

Kevin Sullivan, DPW Superintendent, told the board the DPW does not clear sidewalks and that previous volunteer contractors performed limited sidewalk work. He said the town’s eight DPW employees and existing equipment are committed to road clearing during storms and that correctly equipping the department for routine sidewalk clearing would require additional personnel, large sidewalk machines (costs he estimated at tens of thousands per machine) and storage space.

Sullivan warned that clearing sidewalks after storms must be done promptly to prevent ice formation and that adding sidewalks to municipal duties would be costly both in equipment procurement and in ongoing operations. He and the board discussed alternative approaches: enforcing state and local ordinances that place sidewalk‑clearing responsibility on property owners, targeted municipal clearing only in limited priority areas, or continued reliance on volunteer efforts for limited help.

Selectmen asked staff to continue the conversation during budget planning and noted the legal, equipment and manpower constraints raised by Sullivan. No new policy was adopted that night.","Residents and a selectman raised pedestrian-safety concerns about uncleared sidewalks on Main Street and Saint Paul Street. DPW Superintendent Kevin Sullivan said the department does not clear sidewalks, cited equipment and staffing limits and warned costs would be substantial if the town expanded snow‑removal responsibilities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304522,"Volunteers propose disc‑golf course at Veterans Park; organizers offer design and volunteer labor, request town coordination",2396,3407000,5803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21&start=3407&end=5803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21/thumbnail_3407000.jpg","/articles/6304522/Massachusetts/Volunteers-propose-discgolf-course-at-Veterans-Park-organizers-offer-design-and-volunteer-labor-request-town-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304522-b5c7dee3c16fbb9cc862d62f3ad21a1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157733&Signature=n4WzsTQHwPMnmVhXZcP6UUcJOSUTMgSGlrb0sN9ORcleg1VzSz3KDoeEd7LmHDkWdBgv8jaU5BearOZpmzdqLk8jKlYCIhqxyFWe0~vUOboTOJd4-KMr0jUDYaUw1f0W0T1SnCpzd-65RfMytULtKZfbzWYAfaqv04HzTaet1KMNMwGeA6cEkhWHMDf5gNrDDWKXY-n-l3Ez4Dsu7SoBJ5GQ5Ww62-eXZ-cOJ5u7oDuCNnCt-uLdGjqrQIkMzPpHU0zD7P0ChBFeZ9jM0AEwlrdS~LSBtP5M3CzrjRNqbqNyoYPcC8t1WZtLzuGDdygTxpYP60D9LgkShdt4GHgW7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Worcester Sports Foundation, the New England Flying Disc Association (NEFA) and local volunteers presented a proposal to build a volunteer‑led disc‑golf course at Veterans Park near Harris Pond.

Jeff Turgeon, representing the Worcester Sports Foundation, described disc golf as a low‑cost, low‑maintenance, multi‑use recreation amenity that uses metal‑chain baskets and natural terrain for play. He said an 18‑hole course can be built for roughly $30,000–$40,000 in construction costs, with baskets and tee pads as the main hard costs, and that much of the labor and design can be provided by volunteer groups and regional disc‑golf organizations.

Ken Allard and residents including Gail and Kirk Van Dyke described the sport’s recreational and community benefits, noting nearby courses in Franklin and Milford as models. Eric Wilson, president of NEFA, and other volunteers said the organization can help with grants and with establishing a “friends of” stewardship group to handle routine maintenance.

Selectmen and staff discussed site constraints: seasonal wet areas, sight lines where trails cross, parking availability and whether the parcel is formally under Parks and Recreation or other town control. DPW Superintendent Kevin Sullivan advised that clearing and construction would need coordination with the highway/DPW because equipment (tractor/brush hog) would speed volunteer work.

Town Administrator Lauren said town counsel must review whether any procurement or other legal steps are necessary to authorize volunteer work and to accept donated materials; she also suggested involving CMRPC for broader site planning. The board directed staff to consult counsel, coordinate with Parks & Recreation and DPW, and return with guidance on procurement, land‑use implications and next steps. No formal authorization or construction funding was approved at the meeting.","A volunteer group led by the Worcester Sports Foundation proposed an 18‑hole disc‑golf course at Veterans Park (Harris Pond area). Organizers offered to design the course, raise funds for baskets and tee pads, and coordinate volunteer brush clearing; the board asked town counsel and staff to vet procurement and land‑use issues and to report back.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304523,"DCR seeks town cooperation to clear title, grant easement for Southern New England Trunk Line Trail gap",607,2319000,2926000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21&start=2319&end=2926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21/thumbnail_2319000.jpg","/articles/6304523/Massachusetts/DCR-seeks-town-cooperation-to-clear-title-grant-easement-for-Southern-New-England-Trunk-Line-Trail-gap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304523-155ed865c5eb692d1128efe2ab2348f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157733&Signature=h-ArK0wTO-PeKMzxEsTfgOLk1qkf5uLyoL~03Y6apQ0YkI0nOgw0l1VUVL-pw9I062sCv0RGnSGeXT48bK1aJbmqnQRS5RCDumj6D8csVEl9zvHsSBn4iA9GXRB0BQ6AM467ojeW4nqBLqlRCID0IvbWpLxYxLEV6xbujyD1eKAEVutw~A5~3EBlnxbuCisBpGN0Kq1DuaaXO~h4tVDX5abifoiyvqwTqFtrmcCkU2TOjGXYD7-pH1irDYDofk562Yjhot6qJqC2cxURWcywn~jEy6E5JaIzPV1mss57KY9Oiu-FSoM11~0vrbLePv1uZ8LMDiyI6CYbFwEpgU8gSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sean Preventure, Land Protection Specialist for the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), told the board DCR is advancing plans to close a gap in the Southern New England Trunk Line (SNET) Trail that runs through Blackstone.

Preventure said the gap includes three parcels: a roughly 900‑foot segment owned by the City of Woonsocket, a half‑mile section owned by the Town of Blackstone (from Farm Street to the back of Castle Hill condominiums), and a parcel owned by Castle Hill Way Condominium up to Route 122. DCR reported the agency has been speaking with Woonsocket’s attorneys and is researching title for the town‑owned segment.

Preventure asked the board for two forms of cooperation: authority for DCR to work with the town to obtain an easement to allow trail planning and development, and permission to bring a confirmatory‑deed town‑meeting warrant article to clean up title problems that date to 19th‑century land transfers.

Selectmen confirmed they want town counsel to review proposed warrant language and indicated they were comfortable with staff and the DCR working together to prepare a town‑meeting article and easement language. Town counsel (Ethan, as referenced during the discussion) already is assisting with draft language, the selectmen said, and the board asked that the item be kept on the next meeting agenda so a final recommendation and possible warrant article can be advanced.

The board did not vote on an easement that night; members instructed staff to coordinate with DCR and counsel and to return with proposed language and an article timetable for the warrant.","The Department of Conservation and Recreation asked the selectmen for approval to work with the town to obtain an easement and to bring a confirmatory deed/town‑meeting article to resolve historic title issues on a segment of the Southern New England Trunk Line Trail in Blackstone.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304524,"Town hears KMS Actuaries update on OPEB valuation; trust about 58% funded as of June 30, 2024",1581,752000,2333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21&start=752&end=2333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2459867-25aeea0ac8cf66754c8966bd4e22ac21/thumbnail_752000.jpg","/articles/6304524/Massachusetts/Town-hears-KMS-Actuaries-update-on-OPEB-valuation-trust-about-58-funded-as-of-June-30-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304524-226d8e543dc5de56f98f9c7ced97818f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157733&Signature=MXcJNdgAHKFSJKwJ67qFf1F9KvK61iGEhsglTMtGJLsO46-1REMeM2UHmXsGVwULZRSe~KlJqmna9QBZlPDi-p7GR1QEvJneFYwpDDsUMP4rdHOyGnPagansrwQGYl~S3EoItZw~exJi7DcXoe16RIrpbb9KwjXfNhll1w-Wbj~3p1flyycdmuOspeBp6fLfTvce7jvZsfnBcHGWlM~AUO9vX6OeVNLv5uhsvLX3h~KIitw1kPA63xmaFhi-L1y4613C40mnEP3nOb2kbm1FnkuHjTv4XAATz1vRWUbIRxJ0hQP0RYQbTm7DcvGt0BbKh0YByziOcO4Vr7PK2mez-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Linda Bornoval, owner and founder of KMS Actuaries, briefed the Board of Selectmen on the town’s other post-employment benefits (OPEB) valuation and what the results mean for budgeting and financial reporting.

Bornoval said the firm calculates future retiree health-care costs by modeling probabilities — when employees will retire, whether they will elect coverage and how long they will live — and then discounting those future costs to present value. She told the board the town’s last valuation snapshot, as of June 30, 2024, showed approximately $3.3 million in the OPEB trust and about $5.7 million in liabilities, a funded ratio near 58 percent.

The actuary explained that because the town prefunds benefits in an OPEB trust it may use a long-term investment return assumption — KMS has used 6.9 percent for several years — rather than the high-quality municipal bond rate that applies to purely pay-as-you-go arrangements. “One of the benefits of pre-funding to a trust is you get to use that long-term rate of return,” Bornoval said.

She told the board the trust’s investment return and the selection of assumptions such as health-care trend rates and longevity materially affect the liability estimate. Bornoval warned health insurance rate increases this year have been unusually high and would raise projected liabilities in the next valuation.

Town Administrator Lauren and board members asked about how Blackstone compares to other Massachusetts communities. Bornoval said PARAC-collected data show many municipalities have little or no OPEB funding and that Blackstone’s funded ratio is well above the statewide average.

The presentation included summary accounting impacts: a balance-sheet liability of about $2.4 million (net OPEB obligation) and a GASB expense of about $285,000 for the period cited. Bornoval described the three legal criteria that must be satisfied for a trust to be recognized (assets irrevocably set aside for postemployment benefits, legally protected from employer creditors, and used only to pay retiree benefits).

Board members thanked KMS for the briefing and noted the town’s multi-year prefunding approach contributes to what the actuary characterized as “generational equity” — spreading costs across current and future taxpayers rather than shifting them all to future budgets.

The selectmen had no action on the valuation that night but asked staff to circulate the KMS materials to finance and to include the report in the town’s financial‑statement process.","KMS Actuaries presented the town's GASB 74/75 actuarial valuation and funding analysis for other post-employment benefits (OPEB). The firm reported the OPEB trust held about $3.3 million against a liability of about $5.7 million on June 30, 2024, and recommended continuing prefunding to lower long‑term costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: selectmen approve minutes, licenses, payroll and warrants; authorize town administrator e‑signatures

Selectmen hear recurring concerns about sidewalk snow removal; DPW cites staffing, equipment and cost constraints

Volunteers propose disc‑golf course at Veterans Park; organizers offer design and volunteer labor, request town coordination

DCR seeks town cooperation to clear title, grant easement for Southern New England Trunk Line Trail gap

Town hears KMS Actuaries update on OPEB valuation; trust about 58% funded as of June 30, 2024