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Blackstone meeting approves minutes, payroll and inspector reappointments; health agent reports property complaint and mosquito monitoring
Summary
Town leaders approved meeting minutes, payroll and reappointments for two animal inspectors, directed follow-up on an observed property cleanup after a complaint, and heard that Central Mass Mosquito Control Project has begun surveillance and will schedule spraying.
Town of Blackstone officials approved routine business items including minutes, payroll and two inspector reappointments, and heard updates from the town health agent about a property complaint and mosquito monitoring.
The most immediate actions at the meeting were procedural votes. The board approved the minutes for March 4, authorized payroll covering the period read into the record, and reappointed Kevin Sullivan and Peter C. Ryan Sr. as animal inspectors after separating the motions and then rescinding and redoing a prior motion to ensure proper procedure.
Monica Lane, the town’s health agent, briefed the board on an ongoing property complaint. Lane said a letter was sent on March 6 and that she conducted a site visit last Saturday, when the property owner’s son was “actively cleaning up the property.” Lane said she had received an additional email that day and planned another visit the following morning, adding, “I’ll report back to the board.” The board voted to proceed with the follow-up pending that site check.
The board also discussed a list of abandoned properties. Members said they would compare existing lists, coordinate with Matthew (staff) and the collector/treasurer’s office, and conduct site visits to prioritize properties that need immediate attention or are on the tax-title list.
On public-health operations, the board received a letter from the Central Mass Mosquito Control Project notifying the town that mosquito monitoring began the prior Monday and that the agency will file reports and, when weather permits, provide a spraying schedule. The health agent and a board member noted the agency’s website (centralmassmosquitocontrol.org) and said residents can request individual spraying for their properties. Lane also said the town plans to notify local businesses that store tires outdoors about mosquito risks and possible compliance actions.
Other agenda items reported as in progress were a draft of sewer tie-in regulations and an amendment to the local fee schedule; both were described as still under development and will remain on future agendas. The meeting closed after an adjournment motion that passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance - Minutes for March 4: motion to accept — approved (unanimous). - Payroll (period read into the record): motion to approve — approved (unanimous). - Reappointment of Kevin Sullivan as animal inspector: motion to appoint — approved (unanimous). - Reappointment of Peter C. Ryan Sr. as animal inspector: motion to appoint — approved (unanimous). - Motion to adjourn: approved (unanimous).
The board listed several items for further work, including drafting sewer tie-in regulations, refining a fee schedule amendment and producing a prioritized action plan for abandoned properties in coordination with the collector/treasurer’s office. The health agent will report back on the property complaint after the follow-up visit.
