Fy2019 Annual Report
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Report Table of Contents General Government________________________________________________ Board of Selectmen 3 Town Counsel 4 Finance Committee 5 Accounting 5 Assessors 6 Treasurer/Collector 6 Town Moderator 7 Planning Board 7 Conservation Commission 8 Zoning Board of Appeals 9 Capital Planning Committee 10 Town Clerk 10 Public Safety______________________________________________________ Police Department 11 Fire Department 17 Public Safety Committee 19 Building Inspector 21 Gas & Plumbing Inspector 22 Electrical Inspector 23 Education_________________________________________________________ School Committee 23 Superintendent 24 Department of Curriculum and Instruction 24 Business Office 25 Earl D. Taft Learning Center 26 Whitin Elementary School 28 Uxbridge High School 29 Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District 44 Public Works______________________________________________________ DPW 46 Highway Department 47 Water Division 48 Wastewater Division 49 Wastewater Treatment Facility Building Committee 50 Stormwater Committee 51 Health and Human Services__________________________________________ Board of Health 52 Council on Aging 54 Veteran’s Services 59 Cultural and Recreation_____________________________________________ Dog Park Committee 59 Uxbridge Free Public Library 60 1 Recreation Commission 62 Historical Commission 63 Historic District Commission 64 Historic Cemetery Committee 65 Pout Pond Recreation Committee 65 Community Television 66 Community Gardens 66 Uxbridge Housing Authority 67 Recycling and Sustainability Committee 68 Economic Development & Community Planning 68 Trustees of the Edward C. Thayer Fund 69 Uxbridge Town Scholarship Committee 69 Virginia Blanchard Memorial Scholarship Committee 70 Required Supplemental Information___________________________________ Treasurer’s Summary Year End Cash 71 Treasurer’s Statement of Indebtedness 71 Treasurer’s June 30, 2019 Bank Balances 74 Assessor’s Summary of Overlay 75 Accountant’s Reconciliation of Fund Equity Ending June 30, 2019 75 2019 Tax Rate Recapitulation 76 Water Enterprise Schedule A2; Estimation of Revenues and Expenditures 79 Sewer Enterprise Schedule A2; Estimation of Revenues and Expenditures 80 Cable Enterprise Schedule A2; Estimation of Revenues and Expenditures 81 Calendar 2019 Schedule of Employee W2 wages paid 82 Town Clerk Election Results 90 Town Clerk Certified Town Meeting Minutes 106 2019 Year End Balance Sheet 168 Collector Schedules 169 2 General Government Board of Selectmen The Annual Report of the Board of Selectmen is a summarization of actions of the Board for the fiscal year of July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. The Board of Selectmen consists of five members, each serving a 3-year term as outlined in the Town Charter. The Board shall have and possess statutory responsibilities and authority under Massachusetts General Laws of the Commonwealth, that are not specifically assigned to some other office or agency under the Charter or by special legislative act. The Board serves as the chief policy-making agency of the Town, serves as the licensing authority, appoints the Town Manager and other offices of the Town as outlined in the Charter, and has the authority to perform investigations as necessary. At the beginning of the fiscal year, the Board consisted of Justin Piccirillo - Chair, Susan Franz - Vice Chair, Brian Plasko - Clerk, Jennifer Modica, and Jeff Shaw. Following the resignation of Mr. Piccirillo, the Board re-organized. Ms. Modica became Chair in July. To replace Selectman Piccirillo, the Board voted to approve a Special Election that was held on December 4th. Lifelong Uxbridge resident Brian Butler was elected. The Board reorganized and Mr. Butler became Chair. Jeff Shaw - Vice Chair and Brian Plasko - Clerk. Following the May election, Stephen Mandile was elected and replaced Ms. Modica. The Board thanks Ms. Modica for her years of service. The Board chose not to change the roles of the Board during the reorganization. The following were items the Board addressed as General Business: • Board recognized and presented Commendations for the 10U Cal Ripken New England Champions. • Accepted thousands of dollars in donations for organizations such as the Police Department, Fire Department, Senior Center, and Library. • Supported the Task Force for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program and appointed Selectwoman Franz as its Representative. • Set the new water and sewer rate and structure serving as Water and Sewer Commissioners. • Supported a Single Tax Rate to be apportioned equally upon all residential, commercial, industrial, and personal property classes for FY19. • Adoption of Uxbridge’s Hazard Mitigation Plan as crafted by CMRPC. • Approved the appointment of Jeff Ugalde as Interim Treasurer following the resignation of Nick Federico and Lisa Kelly as Interim Accountant following the resignation of Jason Caravaggio. Sara Hunter became Interim Treasurer following Mr. Ugalde. • Appointed residents to numerous Committees and Boards. • Entered into Host Community Agreements to the following Cannabis establishments: Grass Appeal, Deep Roots, and Ironstone Express. • Reappointed Mead, Talerman and Costa LLC as Town Counsel. • Supported the lease of 59 Hazel St. for a Cell Tower to American Tower LLC. • Appointed Police Chief Marc Montminy as Acting Town Manager replacing Angeline Ellison. • Appointed Peter Hechenbleikner as Interim Town Manager The Board issued 4 Town Meeting Warrants during the fiscal year. The Fall Annual Town Meeting was held on October 23, 2018. The Spring Annual Town Meeting was held on May 14, 2019. Special Town Meetings were held on February 5, 2019 & June 18, 2019. Additionally, Elections were held on September 4, 2018, November 6, 2018, December 4, 2018, and May 21, 2019. The Board, as always, continues to try and provide the best service to residents of Uxbridge. It’s our pleasure to serve as your Selectmen. The Town is always looking for volunteers to serve on Boards and Committees. Please see the Town Clerk or Town Manager for any opportunities. By working together and getting involved, we can accomplish great things. 3 We extend our gratitude to our men and women residing in Uxbridge who are serving or have served in our military. This report is dedicated to former Police Chief John Emerick and Fire Chief William Albin for their service to our community. Submitted Respectfully, Brian Butler - Chair Jeffrey Shaw - Vice Chair Brian Plasko - Clerk Susan Franz - Selectwoman Stephen Mandile - Selectman _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Town Counsel The following represents the cases that Mead, Talerman & Costa, LLC handled as Town Counsel in Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 to date. Richardson, et al v. Zoning Bd of Appeals Mass Land Court No. 17 MISC. 000271 This case is an appeal of a decision of the ZBA, which upheld the enforcement order of the Building Commissioner. Such enforcement order required Richardson to cease all soil reclamation activity at 175 South Street. After extensive discovery, a trial was held on August 19th and 20th, 2018. Judgment was entered in favor of Richardson and the Town appealed. We are awaiting a date for oral argument at the Appeals Court. Richardson, et al v. Planning Board, et al Worcester Superior Court No. 1785CV00272 This matter originated as an appeal of the conditions of an earth removal permit issued by the Planning Board for the Richardson property at 175 South Street. We then counterclaimed, seeking compliance with general bylaw requirements for soil reclamation activities. Richardson’s claim became moot after the earth removal permit expired and we then moved for an injunction on the counterclaim. The Court granted our motion, enjoining all soil reclamation activities until Richardson obtains an earth filling permit from the Planning Board. Richardson, et al v. Board of Health Worcester Superior Court No. 1785CV00931 This case is a challenge to the BOH’s adoption of regulation requiring a permit for any large-scale earth filling activities. The Court has issued a Judgment dismissing the appeal and affirming the BOH’s regulation. Richardson appealed but appeal was dismissed. Richardson, et al v. Board of Health Worcester Superior Court No. 1785CV01647 This case is an appeal of the BOH’s denial of a permit application under the BOH’s regulation requiring a permit for any large-scale earth filling activities. The Court held a hearing on the parties’ Motions for Judgment and issued judgment in favor of the BOH. There was no appeal. Richardson, et al v Board of Health Worcester Superior Court No. 1985CV01347 This is a related action by Richardson seeking a declaration as to BOH Regulations. We have moved to dismiss. A hearing is scheduled for April, 2020. Richardson v. ZBA Land Court No. 19MISC000584 This is a new appeal of a denial of a variance. We are defending the ZBA. Immanuel Corp. v. Zoning Bd of Appeals Worcester Superior Court No. 1785CV00765 This case is an appeal of a decision of the ZBA, which upheld the enforcement order of the Building Commissioner. Such enforcement order required Immanuel to cease all soil reclamation activity at 775 Millville Road. Extensive 4 discovery and depositions have occurred. Immanuel moved for summary judgment and we opposed. In December of 2018, the Court issued a decision denying Immanuel’s Motion. A trial is beginning in January of 2020. Town of Uxbridge v. Ashraf Yousef Worcester Superior Court No. 1885CV01851 This case is an enforcement