Finance Committee presents sober outlook

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

NORTH BROOKFIELD – Finance committee members met with the board of selectmen Tuesday to discuss the budget for the coming fiscal year.

Chairman Robert Smith told the board that the state’s budget has not yet been approved, but indications are that there will be a 4 percent reduction across the board in local aid and school funding by the state.

His committee will recommend, he said, to use $198,663 from the stabilization fund to balance this town’s budget totaling $13,707,510.

As to FY 12, the committee, he said, has scrutinized again “everything the government does to operate the town. We will have no alternative but make some alterations in what we do and how we do it. I’m leaving you with a few suggestions as to what we can do to reduce costs. Examine these items, and take them under advisement.”

Planning Board Chairman Steve Cummings reported to the selectmen, who had requested that he meet with them to explain the reason for the planning board’s refusal to permit Second Chance Animal Shelter to open a facility at 27 Grove St.

Cummings said that according to the present zoning laws, such use is prohibited in that location. “That’s the law,” he said. He further stated that the area is zoned for mixed use, which requires “harmonious usage. Four families and a veterinary clinic are not harmonious use,” he said. He went on to say that any questions from the public should be addressed to the planning board, in writing. The board will answer your questions in writing, and in a timely fashion,” he said, remarking that his board’s ruling as to public queries is on the advice of town counsel.

Selectman Mary Walter reported that an inter-municipal agreement between Quaboag area towns for joint purchasing has reached the signing stage. West Brookfield, the lead town, will provide the purchasing agent; at this point, Walter said, the agreement will be for the purchase of office supplies only, and will operate, beginning July 1, on a six months’ trial basis. “It’s just a small step, but it’s a step forward,” she said. The plan, underway for several months, is a cost saving measure.

The board received a letter from the Conservation Commission explaining why the commission should receive town funding for a secretary’s position. Ann Hicks, writing as acting secretary for the commission, explained that accurate and complete minutes of meetings must be kept, and that public hearings are required for each document that is filed with the DEP. The minutes are, as are the proceedings of the commission, frequently quite technical, precise and detailed, and are referred to when decisions are being made, forms completed, and documents written. According to Hicks, a former secretary was knowledgeable as to DEP requirements, and was heavily relied upon to ascertain that correct procedures were followed. Without that secretary, she explained, the board had to undertake training themselves before training a new secretary. “The commission now feels that it has the ability to do this,” she wrote.

“The commission (with encouragement from other town boards and committees) is considering a wetlands bylaw. If such a bylaw were to be adopted by the town, the paperwork for the commission would double…If a wetlands bylaw is adopted, the minutes of the meetings and hearings would be reviewed by state court in the case of an appeal.” Additionally, she continued, the commission should be filing with the DEP electronically, and without a secretary with computer skills, “we haven’t time or ability to do this.”

The board took the matter under advisement.