[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6584488,"mediaKeyId","5780457-8131f7d8a6bc250024a53193a8e9ce71","parentId",5780457,"title","Select Board votes to hold Old Colony school ballot and town debt-exclusion on same day","audioSeconds",791,"startMs",1068000,"endMs",1859000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780457-8131f7d8a6bc250024a53193a8e9ce71&start=1068&end=1859","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780457-8131f7d8a6bc250024a53193a8e9ce71/thumbnail_1068000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6584488/Massachusetts/Select-Board-votes-to-hold-Old-Colony-school-ballot-and-town-debt-exclusion-on-same-day","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6584488-e582abb01dde54b355c135539fab593b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023696&Signature=NlimcrqdUvVOPp7r6HApG8i2nJpAFoJhSIyUMFeR~Uh7SrxB5O8hITOhNZPg8fgB1MUZPRwZQ4WaaJPtUBCxsIXcXha99xzg~fz1ybcZu8DliDD9CHZjYBZSfsXNy7Z1Tqsi3UmvqFKUss31YiYUX9EvStP8xRp9Ddq-orME4rThkr5tnnSMXK-Fc9W0~jzb5XzYykgL14avdjiIZ9neu8Vl0Akqljc9wvltwXak32zuxE-mfhfuhQvvdfWZQYCN8Aa7~OidDNdk3GRELi~w8o88XS9s3A3nNpMz1EaduTIHSNYnaoKbT~NeDYmpQGCOoScCOFtK1RXfDopKBD1Sxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakeville","date","2025-09-17T02:15:53Z","article","The Lakeville Select Board voted Sept. 16 to hold the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School district ballot question and a town debt-exclusion question on the same day, Nov. 18, 2025, with voting scheduled from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ted Williams Camp.

Town Administrator Andrew said the district called the special election for Nov. 18 and described the town’s share of the roughly $39 million to $40 million project as about 25 percent; the town administrator and the town clerk had advised the board about timing and logistics for pairing the district ballot with a local debt-exclusion ballot.

The board discussed trade-offs: the town clerk had recommended delaying the debt-exclusion vote to the April town election because running separate ballots and separate elections is logistically simpler, but several board members said holding both votes on the Nov. 18 special election would preserve the ability to re‑vote sooner if needed and could increase turnout. Board members also warned the town will need to conduct strong outreach so voters understand separate questions on the same day.

Resident Rich LaCameron spoke during public comment and urged the board not to delay the debt-exclusion vote. \"This is the biggest thing the town is ever gonna vote on,\" LaCameron said. He told the board that the district’s borrowing and early design work could proceed regardless of Lakeville’s local vote and warned of immediate budget pressure if design costs are borrowed before the town raises operating funds. \"If it gets passed, no matter whether we pass the override or not ... we have to pay it no matter what,\" he said, arguing the town should not wait until April to hold its debt-exclusion question.

Town Administrator Andrew told the board he had contacted the other member communities about coordinating dates; at the meeting he reported that Rochester appeared likely to hold the debt-exclusion vote on the same day, while other partners were undecided. Board members asked staff to work with the town clerk and Old Colony on public information and color-coded ballot materials as part of an outreach plan.

After discussion the Select Board made a provisional motion and voted by roll call to hold Lakeville’s debt-exclusion question on the same day as the Old Colony special election, Nov. 18, 2025, with the board directing staff to return with formal ballot language and logistics for final adoption.

The motion passed by roll call vote with the Select Board members present voting in the affirmative.

What happens next: staff will prepare ballot language and logistics for a final administrative vote and will coordinate outreach with Old Colony and the town clerk to explain the separate district and local questions to voters ahead of the Nov. 18 election.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lakeville Select Board, 9-16-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Lakeville Select Board voted Sept. 16 to hold the Old Colony Regional school district ballot question and a town debt-exclusion on the same day, Nov. 18, 2025, with voting scheduled noon–8 p.m. at Ted Williams Camp.","taxTitle","Town of Lakeville, Plymouth County, Massachusetts","taxId",58187,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6584478,"Votes at a glance: Select Board approvals on Sept. 16 — policies, hires, contracts, licenses",2142,770000,2912000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780457-8131f7d8a6bc250024a53193a8e9ce71&start=770&end=2912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780457-8131f7d8a6bc250024a53193a8e9ce71/thumbnail_770000.jpg","/articles/6584478/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-Select-Board-approvals-on-Sept-16-policies-hires-contracts-licenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6584478-6ada650bbfb6ecd1f8b241af27c7dacd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023696&Signature=St5xDPv7IuwORqmcuo6safZVQa3hRzwAe4QeHhJa5dsl9S150Xqwla5DGsAH5MbDRvqKQSWidJ~zbITxSuIVydLV~9uZnGX7gtDZHtktAA9VJg5Hzp38ac0uLA3BW2rit~MzF6Ahxc0os3hD1owFgGiWpUHU5msOfUqY9sYgtO0zgr3KfMwy1EnaDMSR6R6-Z~aPNn8suln4J~xxuTwzS-Riw8TrX3I-S-AI~mc~xk1n4oNukYzCCWZ9fBTEQe5zuHwJIHjc32REW2C9kTUunZHPKMWWuNHigh8gAetJ4kz4GcWgytnhxnPG7GUslfmLkyYbAf1WYSM9U2FhrH7Gig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Sept. 16 meeting the Select Board considered and approved a number of discrete motions, including policy adoption, personnel and procurement actions, and event licenses. Below are the formal actions the board took and the immediate follow-up requirements.

Votes and formal actions (summarized):

1) Approve minutes: The board voted to approve the Select Board and Wage and Personnel meeting minutes of Sept. 2, 2025, with a correction noted by a board member; vote recorded by roll call as aye by members present.

2) Social equity plan and Host Community Agreement (HCA) policy: The board voted to adopt the social equity plan and HCA policy as presented. Town counsel advised against narrowing the equity definition from the Cannabis Control Commission’s regulations; the board voted to adopt the policy and requested a clean copy be posted on the Select Board’s web page.

3) Old Colony ballot timing (procedural vote): The board voted to hold the Old Colony district ballot question and Lakeville’s debt-exclusion question on the same day (Nov. 18, 2025); staff to bring back formal ballot language and logistics.

4) Assistant town accountant job description: The board voted to adopt the revised assistant town accountant job description and approved posting the position; discussion included the salary range ($62,000–$72,000) and that longevity is budgeted separately for FY26.

5) Classification & compensation study: The board approved nine comparable communities for inclusion in a classification and compensation study (list provided in packet). Staff aims to have deliverables by about November.

6) Fire station construction contract award: The board voted to award the general‑contract construction contract for the new fire station to Page Building Construction, with the lowest responsive bid reported in the action and regular construction oversight to follow. The board also confirmed the construction subgroup meeting schedule and committee oversight.

7) HVAC and weatherization contract (Green Communities-funded projects): The board awarded a contract in the amount voted ($50,006.99) to Jim Plumbing and Heating Company LLC for heat pumps and weatherization improvements at town facilities, contingent on required contract documents.

8) Order of taking — Harrison Ave (confirmatory layout): The board adopted an order of taking to confirm the layout of a portion of Harrison Ave as part of the Route 79 project; this was presented as an administrative step and the board awarded no damages for the administrative taking.

9) Licenses and permits: The board approved multiple one‑day licenses and event permits, including a one‑day liquor license for Tipsy Mermaid at Angus Conway Farm (Oct. 4), a public‑way license for the Harvest Festival at Elliott Farm (Oct. 12), a one‑day beer and wine license for Red Hand Brewing at the Lakeville Arts & Music Festival (Oct. 4), and an amendment to Red Hand Brewing’s hours for its on‑premises alcohol license.

Next steps: For awarded contracts the board conditioned approvals on submission of required contract documents and asked staff to return with executed contracts. For policy and ballot actions the board asked staff to post a clean policy copy on the town website and to prepare ballot language and logistics for final administrative approval.","The Select Board approved a package of actions including adoption of a cannabis social equity/host-community policy, hiring/job-description updates, an award of a general-contractor construction contract for the new fire station, several one-day licenses and other routine approvals; staff will follow up on contract documents and ballot logistics.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6584483,"Lakeville certifies $1.03 million free cash; Route 79 project and deferred revenue dent reserves",83,327000,410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780457-8131f7d8a6bc250024a53193a8e9ce71&start=327&end=410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780457-8131f7d8a6bc250024a53193a8e9ce71/thumbnail_327000.jpg","/articles/6584483/Massachusetts/Lakeville-certifies-103-million-free-cash-Route-79-project-and-deferred-revenue-dent-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6584483-233dcaab5de9147db57f15ce03270ff9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771023696&Signature=U4BIkGAW7dZnkkx21C2Xp2qwlQYcN3G9AAFM1GgZopgEj39vYLg6H1ZbitrY9IWGoKbGbt4TBd-ShVdq-MwgxCjy5UA4q0b2k77i4rYR2tgy6bIewm3lbo3BLYaRlEcNPHYrzVe9QHFrscwqTTEas8HN1ZREy~qxn1rBE1pL~RrnHMXVcBYxrQD1xGrX4l~YCgvsD~cTOZV0XGps3YpRUR-~s5-Bt1lfj8DVbROKa24ggaSh~hJ2g7wg6IU0eHzsJ7Cj33vGDYddSTF2oOWhOhD1WCA6okIu0eQeviBpW5YKA41cfO7-0hJvqQxW1x1b35-aWSIGUx5j4drImEpeGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Lakeville certified free cash of $1,033,041 at the Sept. 16 Select Board meeting and the town administrator and finance staff described factors that reduced available reserves.

Town Administrator Andrew told the board that the Route 79 roadway alteration layouts were being mailed and that bids are expected in the coming month, with construction expected in 2026. He said staff will update the town website with more information and answer questions residents have raised on social media.

Finance Director Mike Ellis and Treasurer-Collector Bridal Kreh (name as spoken in the meeting) participated in an S&P ratings call; the board heard that many communities are seeing borrowing become more expensive and that ratings agencies are scrutinizing municipal debt. Andrew said the town expects to hear back from S&P in the next week or two about its outlook.

Ellis explained a recent spike in deferred revenue tied to an error on preliminary tax bills: \"Because this was an error on the prelim tax bills ... the law requires you to take the hit on deferred and not overlay,\" he said, describing why the town could not use the overlay account to absorb the adjustment. Ellis said the deferred revenue balance rose to about $711,000 and that change was a direct hit to free cash.

Andrew also noted the town did not receive an expected Smart Growth payment this year — roughly $425,000 — and that the combination of deferred revenue and missed receipts produced about a $1 million swing in available free cash compared with prior expectations.

The board heard that the town hall building reuse subcommittee requested a scoping estimate for an existing-conditions survey; Andrew said the town expects to obtain that survey for under $20,000–$25,000. The subcommittee directed staff to obtain the scoping estimate for presentation at town meeting.

No additional formal action was taken on these finance items at the Sept. 16 meeting; staff said they will forward the certified free cash documentation to the board and return with updates on Route 79 and the town-hall reuse scoping estimate.","Town Administrator Andrew reported the town's free cash was certified at $1,033,041. Officials said a $711,000 deferred revenue increase from an assessment/preliminary tax bill error cut the balance; Route 79 right-of-way offers are going out and construction is expected in 2026.","actionData","errors"]

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Select Board votes to hold Old Colony school ballot and town debt-exclusion on same day

Votes at a glance: Select Board approvals on Sept. 16 — policies, hires, contracts, licenses

Lakeville certifies $1.03 million free cash; Route 79 project and deferred revenue dent reserves