Northborough welcomes new town clerk and veteran's agent during departmental updates

In a bittersweet moment for the Town of Northborough, longtime employee Andy bid farewell after 38 years of dedicated service, donning a shirt that read "officially retired" on the front and "bye" on the back. The Select Board expressed their best wishes for Andy's future, highlighting the smooth transition as they welcomed Damian Bartek as the new town clerk. Bartek, who comes from West Boylston, brings valuable experience, including familiarity with the codification process.

The meeting also spotlighted various departmental updates. Health and Human Services Director Isabella Caruso reported on her interns' contributions while addressing community concerns regarding Medicare and Medicaid cuts. Meanwhile, the Board of Health is in the early stages of developing new animal regulations.

The Senior Center is buzzing with activities, including a Woosocks game and educational events on tick-borne illnesses. Carol, the center's director, reminded residents of the bistro's affordable soup and sandwich offerings.

In a significant development, the Veterans Agent position has been filled by Yacelle Ferrara, a Navy veteran with extensive project management experience. The accounting department is preparing for the July 15 deadline for moving prior fiscal year bills, while the assessors are finalizing fiscal year 24 appeals.

Public Works Director Scott Charpentier reported on a busy season, with $1 million in paving projects completed and various infrastructure improvements underway, including crosswalk enhancements funded by ARPA.

On the business front, the newly opened Diamond Cafe, formerly Britney's Cafe, will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Vertex, replacing the old Bank of America, aims to foster innovation through technology and collaboration.

However, not all news was positive. The building inspector and fire department are taking measures to secure vacant buildings, marking them with a red "X" to indicate safety concerns.

The police department welcomed Alyssa Worster as a new dispatcher and is launching a youth police academy to engage future officers. Meanwhile, the recreation department faces challenges with declining program revenue, prompting discussions about its future role in the community.

As Northborough prepares for its fiscal 27 budget, the Select Board emphasized the importance of addressing these structural challenges to ensure the sustainability of community programs. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue these vital conversations moving forward.