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Select Board advances town budget and greenlights design steps for downtown intersection reconstruction
Summary
Town manager presented a budget path that reduces one‑time spending and aims to preserve public‑safety staffing; the board supported several capital items recommended by finance, and it voted to recommend Option 1 for the Route 140/123 town‑center reconstruction and to fund initial design work to reach 25% design for state TIP consideration.
Town Manager and staff outlined a budget proposal the board described as a balanced plan that reduces reliance on one‑time funds and aims to preserve public‑safety headcount through the ambulance reserve. Officials said the proposal trims one‑time spending from roughly $2.3 million to about $1.6 million this fiscal year with further reductions planned next year.
The Select Board reviewed capital requests — police cruisers; taser replacement and parking‑lot paving; school technology switches; library security; DPW equipment including a new loader and a six‑wheel sander; and parks‑and‑recreation items such as modular pickle‑ball courts. Finance Committee recommendations were cited for multiple articles; many items are conditional on available state or federal grants.
On transportation, the board endorsed option 1 for the Route 140/123 downtown reconstruction (a Taton Avenue extension routing traffic to the right of the church) to present to town meeting and to TIP funders. The board voted to authorize $40,000 (of a $140,000 design request) to reach the 25% design milestone the state typically requires for inclusion in the TIP program; staff explained the full construction estimate is in the multi‑million dollar range and that state funding would be sought for construction and easements.
Water and sewer items were discussed separately: the board approved a $60,000 sewer study to explore extending sewer from Freeman Street down to North/South Worcester (Article 16) and approved meter replacement and treatment‑plant maintenance funds (Article 18) to replace meters producing estimated reads and to address treatment plant maintenance.
Board members stressed the need to sequence design and construction around other projects, look for grant funding, and avoid digging new trenches in newly paved roads where possible. The board passed motions supporting the warrant articles and directed staff to prepare explanatory materials for town meeting.
