Select Board recommends approval of multiple warrant articles, approves routine licenses and donations

The Foxborough Select Board on Oct. 8 recommended approval of multiple warrant articles ahead of the Nov. 18 special town meeting and approved a slate of routine licenses, appointments and donations.

The board recommended approval of Article 1, a supplemental FY25 capital request totaling $765,175.04 that includes payoff for police body cameras ($160,489) and tasers ($99,706); a $50,000 grant match for SCBA air packs; $351,210 for fire engine and ambulance lease payments; and a $103,770.04 share of a trackless municipal tractor. Presenter (speaker 3) said the goal is to pay these items off while free cash is available to avoid future spikes in lease payments.

The board also recommended approval of Article 2 to raise the police and fire apparatus revolving fund annual spending limit from $200,000 to $400,000 to reflect higher detail rates and increased revenue, and recommended Article 3 and Article 4 to transfer $350,000 into a fire stabilization fund and move funds back into the fire budget to cover mechanic and parts costs. Presenter (speaker 7) explained that federal FEMA cost code adjustments have increased the rates charged for details and that purchases will still be reviewed through the capital improvement process.

On zoning and infrastructure items, the board recommended Article 8 to rezone two parcels on Central Street (assessor’s map 92 lots 137–138) from R‑15 residential to General Business and to extend the Foxborough Center overlay to include those parcels; the change would increase redevelopment options ahead of a possible disposition of the senior center parcel. The board recommended Article 10 to amend the sewer service area map to include a set of Main Street parcels to allow sewer stubs to be provided to facilitate future connections (property owners would pay to tie in).

The board recommended Article 11 to change the purpose of a small town-owned parcel behind 34 South School Street to permit disposition under G.L. c.40, §§15 & 15A (sale or lease in compliance with c.30B) and recommended Article 12 to grant a utility easement to National Grid for underground electrical service at 70 Elm Street (a customary town action). Articles 13 and 14 — acceptance of Peterson Lane and Offalette Way in the London Estates subdivision — were recommended subject to final DPW and planning board sign‑offs.

Routine matters approved during the meeting included a change of hours application (Leased Pizza and Pub LLC to begin alcohol service at 10 a.m. Sundays, subject to ABCC approval), a one‑day beer and wine license for Wormtown Brewery for Patriot’s Place Harvestfest (Oct. 19), the appointment of Jonathan Glover to the Fox Hill Historical Commission and Richard Lettson to the Veteran Services Advisory Committee, and multiple memorial bench donations and gifts for the veteran banner project. The board also approved meeting minutes from Sept. 24 and moved to adjourn.

Votes recorded on the public audio show motions were made, recommended and seconded and the board answered “Aye” on each recommendation; formal votes and final town‑meeting action will be recorded at the special town meeting.