Issue 16 May 2025
This Issue covers only pertinent meetings for the Town Meeting on May 5 and the Town Election. The 9+ hours of Conservation Commission and Planning Board Meetings will be covered in the next newsletter. This newsletter should help with knowledge on the issues and candidates. Please attend the Town Meeting on May 5 and please vote on May 12.
Affordable Housing Trust 4/3
This meeting was short but touched on matters concerning the DCAMM property.
Minutes
The minutes of March 6 were approved.
Annual Town Meeting Articles Relevant to Affordable Housing
Creation of Affordable Housing Trust Account
Review and take action pending receipt from Interim Town Administrator.
Chair Victoria Petracca reported Town Counsel advised that this does not need to go to Town Meeting to get this done under the state statues.
Transfer of Community Preservation Act Funds
Update on next steps from meeting with Community Preservation Committee
Moved to following town meeting
Chair Petracca said there needs to be a contract between the CPC (Community Preservation Committee) and the AHT on how the funds (10% of the total funds annually) will be spent. The contract needs to drawn up and approved at the Town Meeting. This contract will need to be renewed every year.
Updates to SHI Pipeline (in order of number of units)
DCAMM Campus, 220 Old Common Road
Chair Petracca said Brian Keating reported that DCAMM is looking at its own options on how to develop the site. When Jeff Nutting, Interim Town Administrator was asked about DCAMM, he said it would not be on this Town Meeting Warrant.
Trustee Frank Streeter, Chair of the Planning Board, reported that because of the potential for hazardous waste on the property the Town could not take the risk. This risk has still not been assessed. A tier 2 study is necessary for assessment and costs $250K. Questions were raised about what is now in store. The housing market has changed, and developers will be leery of hazardous waste. The Trust wants to reach out and be involved in what will happen. Streeter said it was way too early to engage. Trustee Debra Williams doesn’t think DCAMM is very motivated to do something with the site. Chair Petracca doesn’t want to step on toes.
Atlantic Union College Campus, 338 Main Street
Chair Petracca said an offer has been accepted but there is no further information.
40R Smart Growth District, approximately 1410 – 1474 Lunenburg Road, Route 70
Still in litigation.
Neck Farm Estates, 13 Neck Road
Chapter 40B
Comprehensive Permit
There is an rumor a neighbor bought the site, not at all confirmed, highly speculative.
Harbor Classic Homes, 2038 Lunenburg Road
IPOD Special Permit
Local Action Units
The developer and Habitat for Humanity are working through how the lots will be sold. Three foundation holes have been dug.
Hawthorn Hill, 0 Hilltop Road LLC
Inclusionary Zoning, Local Action Units or Payment in Lieu
The Affordable Housing Trust has communicated its preference for payment in lieu option for this project due to average projected house size and maintenance.
In litigation.
Property rehab, Cleveland Street LLC, 197 South Main Street
Inclusionary Zoning, Local Action Unit (*under construction)
The interior building permit was issued and so now the AHT has submitted the package for credit on one more affordable unit.
Updates to Existing Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI)
No update.
Select Board 4/7
This meeting was Zoom only. Chair Stephen Kerrigan was late and arrived for the DCAMM discussion.
Minutes
The minutes of March 17 were approved.
Executive Session
The Select Board will meet in Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a), for the following purpose: i. Purpose (2): To discuss contract negotiations with the Finance Director. ii. Motion: Move to enter into Executive Session in accordance with M.G.L c. 30A, § 21(a) (2) for the purpose of conducting contract negotiations with the Finance Director and to invite Interim Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and Finance Director Cheryl Gariepy into the Executive Session; and to reconvene in Open Session thereafter.
Tabled for a future meeting.
Public Comment
Opportunity for the public to address their concerns, make comments, offer suggestions, or ask questions.
Roy Rezac, 125 Harvard, expressed his support for the Finance Director, Cheryl Gariepy. He also said DCAMM requires more expertise than the Town has. He supports the state controlling and managing this development. He also talked about the ground mounted solar arrays, the amendment is on the Town meeting Warrant, said the 100-ft setback is too much. He wants more information gathered. He would like this amendment to be deferred to the fall town meeting.
Administration, Budget and Policy (Votes may be taken)
Approve the Finance Director’s Contract
Tabled.
Appointment of the Treasurer/Collector (3-year term)
Telma Costa was interviewed by the Select Board members, Jason Allison and Ralph Gifford. She lives in Lancaster and worked for the Town of Hudson for almost 20 years, the last 2 as an assistant Town Treasurer/Collector. She is working on her finance degree.
A motion was made and approved.
Approve Annual Town Election Warrant
A motion was made and approved.
Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAMM) discussion
Jeff Nutting explained the two options: the State does the work, or the Town does the work. Chair Kerrigan said the state will depend on the town for the zoning changes, etc. and will go through the regulatory boards. New legislation allowed the state more flexibility in pursuing Affordable Housing.
A motion was made and approved for Option 1 where the state does the work and the town take possession of the final development.
Approve FY2026 ATM Warrant Articles
A motion was made and approved to approve the Warrant with some Articles still to be finalized.
Police Chief Civil Service Changes
Chief Everett Moody reported that there is an alternative for the Civil Service hiring path. The town had to assure that state policies are followed. The town submitted an application, with the pertinent information which was approved and therefore a lot of previous civil service red tape is eliminated for the Town hiring of civil servants, including police. The Police Department has recruited a candidate with a masters for the town and has saved by this path approximately $35K-40K. Moody still thinks removing the Civil Service requirement is necessary since for every one candidate that is acquired through the alternate path, another needs to go through the regular process.
Fire Fighters/Police Chief about Fire Chief Discussion
Chief Moody gave a presentation showing the two options for the Fire and EMS teams.
Option 1 is the current staff with a full-time Fire Chief.
Option 2 is the Commissioner of Public Safety which is a combined position of the Police and Fire Chief.
Moody recommended getting a Fire Chief for many professional reasons he expounded in the presentation.
Chair Kerrigan agreed a full-time Fire Chief is necessary. The other Board Members agreed.
Amend the proposed FY26 Budget
Jeff Nutting reported that the bill from Minuteman Vocational will be $26K less. Considering that, he said that there was a proposal to restore the Treasurer/Collector to a 40-hour per week position and to fund a part-time Health and Human Resource Administration Position.
There is no increase to the bottom-line of the budget.
A motion was made to approve this amendment.
Member Ralph Gifford said that financial challenges are still present, and he said the previous budget kept essential services. Nutting said the union(s) have objections and it is necessary to pay attention to this. Gifford asked if only the Treasurer/Collector can be restored to 40 hours. There was no second to his motion to amend the amendment.
The original motion for the amendment was approved.
Appointments
Memorial Day Committee
Jen Hedstrom
This was moved and approved for a term until June 1, 2026.
Licenses and Permits
Application for Use of Town Green/Gazebo
Date of Activity: July 17th, 24th & 31st, 2025
Time 6pm-8:00pm Name: Rachel Rosengard, Assistant Library
Director Business Name: Thayer Memorial Library
Purpose: Thayer Memorial Library’s Annual Summer Concert Series
Application for Use of Town Green/Gazebo
Date of Activity: June 7, 2025, Time: 9:30am-12pm
Name: Samantha Zediker, Recreation Director
Business Name: Recreation Department
Purpose: Community Safety & Wellness Fest
Application for Use of Town Green/Gazebo
Date of Activity: May 3, 2025,
Time: 9am-2pm
Name: Win Clark
Business Name: First Church, 725 Main Street
Purpose: 2025 Bulfinch Bee Run – Start & Finish Line; Band;
Waiting Area Special (One Day) Liquor License Application (Beer & Wine)
Applicant’s Name: George Frantz
Organization: First Church, 725 Main Street
Event Purpose: 2025 Bulfinch Bee Run Event
Date: May 7, 2025
Special (One Day) Liquor License Application (Beer & Wine)
Applicant’s Name: George Frantz
Organization: First Church, 725 Main Street
Event Purpose: Annual Horseshed
Fair Time: 8am-4pm
Event Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Application for License to be held on Weekdays (Public Amusements)
Name of Concern: John & Leslie Carr Foundation at Lancaster Fairgrounds
Street Address: 318 Seven Bridge Road – Mailing Address: P.O. Box 154, Bolton
Contact Person: David Carr/Rose Darden – Email: info@BoltonFair.org
Event: 4th Annual Nashoba Rock-n-Brew Fundraiser for Carr Foundation Hours of Proposed Entertainment: Starting Time: 2:00 P.M, Ending Time: 6:00 P.M.
Special (One Day) Liquor License Application (Beer & Wine)
Applicant’s Name: Rose Darden Organization: Bolton Fair, Inc., 318 Seven Bridge Road
Event Purpose: Nashoba Rock-n-Brew – Carr Foundation
Event Date: June 21, 2025
Event Hours: 2:00 P.M.- 6:00 P.M.
The permit for the May 3rd Bee Run was approved after the date on the application was corrected from May 7 to May 3.
All the other permits were approved.
Select Board 4/23
This meeting was a special meeting to approve the Warrant articles for the Town Meeting on May 5.
Minutes
The minutes of April 1, were approved.
Executive Session
The Select Board will meet in Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a), for the following purpose: i. Purpose (2): To discuss contract negotiations with the Finance Director. ii. Motion: Move to enter into Executive Session in accordance with M.G.L c. 30A, § 21(a) (2) for the purpose of conducting contract negotiations with the Finance Director and to invite Interim Town Administrator Jeff Nutting and Finance Director Cheryl Gariepy into the Executive Session; and to reconvene in Open Session thereafter. (Roll Call Vote)
Member Jason Allison asked for this to be tabled since he was unprepared. The Board went into the Executive Session to discuss the timeline.
Public Comment
Opportunity for the public to address their concerns, make comments, offer suggestions, or ask questions.
Linnea Lakin Servey, 1394 Main Street, asked about DCAMM what the options actually entail and how the town needs will be met.
Administration, Budget and Policy (Votes may be taken)
Approve the Finance Director’s Contract
This was tabled until an executive session on May 19, and will be voted on at the June 2 meeting.
Town Administrator Recruitment Process
Jeff Nutting, Interim Town Administrator, reported 33 applicants received and the process is ongoing. Final interviews are anticipated on May 21st.
Charter Commission Update
Member Jason Allison reported his project of the exploration of a charter commission has been abandoned due to lack of interest in running for election for the nine people necessary. He quoted “zero appetite” for this election. Member Allison construed this as a dearth of volunteers for any election. Kerrigan agreed.
Town Meeting Warrant Articles
Editor’s note: The Warrant Articles are not being mailed to residents this year.
Nutting reported that the Capital Budget was not voted on at the May 2024 Town Meeting, so Article 2 is important to pass. A motion was made to recommend affirmative action on this and this was approved.
He ran through the Warrant Articles. There was affirmative action on all the outstanding articles.
The Article for funds for DCAMM was retained at $100K in view of any possible future expenses, even though with the adoption of Option 1 at the previous meeting, the state is taking ownership of the development.
The Articles are included in this newsletter at the end.
Discussion on Earth Removal Products related to Quarry Operations
Member Ralph Gifford would like the bylaws updated to reflect what the town really wants and what is actually happening during the quarry operations. Member Allison is not sure what is amiss. Chair Kerrigan suggested Member Gifford and Nutting work on a document outlining the out-of-date items to be changed.
Fire Chief Search Process
Nutting and Chief Everett Moody out together a process and a draft job description for hiring a Fire Chief. He described people that could be on the panel for the selection of candidates, including outside firefighting professionals.
Member Allison had some questions about the logistics concerning the budget and the warrant article concerning this position. He was answered by all during the discussion.
A motion was made to endorse the Fire Chief process and was approved. A motion was made to have Member Allison as liaison in this process.
Request for Modification of Equipment at 149 Windsor Road
This was moved and approved.
Appointments
Council on Aging
Beth Currie
Tabled until next meeting to ascertain term.
Licenses and Permits
Application for Use of Town Green/Gazebo
Date of Activity: August 2nd, 9th, and 16th, 2025
Time 10:30A.M.
Business Name: Thayer Memorial Library
Purpose: Educational Wildlife Presentation
Special (One Day) Liquor License Application
Applicant’s Name: Jesse Tarbell
Organization: Sterling Street Brewery
Event Address: 70 McGovern Blvd., Lancaster
Event Purpose: FC Stars Night
Event Date: May 22, 2025
Event Hours: 3pm-9pm
These were both approved.
Additional Note
Nutting said that the town’s bylaw is not up to date with the current state laws concerning political signs and should be updated.
Executive Session
The Select Board will meet in Executive Session pursuant to M.G.L. c.30A, §21(a), for the following purpose: i. Review and vote on whether to accept by deed or eminent domain an ownership (fee interest) in the Open Space Parcel located off of Hawthorne Lane, and shown in Worcester District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 934, Plan 43; and further with said discussion potentially occurring in Executive Session under Purpose 6; and to reconvene in Open Session thereafter. (Roll Call Vote)
The Board voted and went into Executive session.
Candidates Night 4/29
The Lancaster Land Trust hosted Candidates Night with Linnea Lakin Servey and David Carr, both running for the open seat on the Select Board, and the pros and cons of the two Ballot Questions given by concerned citizens.
(What follows is mostly a transcript.)
Bob Lidstone, Chair of the Lancaster Land Trust:
Welcome to everyone who is interested in the election coming up. It's important for the quality of life in town that you have good elected officials. We feel the more you know about your elected officials, the better job you will do in voting and the better job they will be able to do doing your will when they are in office. And that is the mission in improving, keeping the quality of life in Lancaster. What we think is above average is the mission of the Land Trust. That's why we sponsor this. So I do want to just briefly mention that the Lancaster Land Trust also sponsors the townwide cleanup. You probably seen these posters around. We're about to clean up to pick up all the yellow bags around. So, if there are some in a place that you see, you might go to info@lancastrust.org and tell us where they are because some people pick up and don't tell us. And it's a year later when we can find them, you know. So, ideal. And thank you to McHugh for donating the trash disposal. They have put a trailer out there for us to fill and they said if we can fill it up, they'll empty it and bring it back. So, we're good there. There are more yellow bags. We've got a little bit of good weather. You've got until May 1st to let us know where they are. So, there's more bags right on the town green. Feel free to pick up some trash. It is a great way to show your ownership, your taking responsibility for the quality of your street. There is also apparently a townwide yard sale which tends to result in lots of leftover stuff and that's on June 1st. And then if you have something left over, you can bring it to the Give or Take Day on the town green by the June 22nd when you're going to drop something off that you think somebody would want to pick up and maybe we can get McHugh come and take care of something nobody wants. We'll see.
Rebecca Young-Jones, audience member and an organizer of the Give or Take Day: Last time we didn't have McHugh pick anything up. It was wonderful.
Bob Lidstone: Oh, good. So, it was clean. Excellent. All right. Other than that, I will turn this over to Peter Stanton, who is better at me at acting nonpartisan. Okay.
Peter Stanton: Thank you, Bob. for those who explain how I got asked to do this, I've worked at a journalistic organization, the Worcester Business Journal for about 45 years. I'm the publisher and CEO there. But I'm not a journalist. So, it's kind of like saying I've stayed at a Holiday Inn, right? So therefore I'm, you know, qualified from a journalistic standpoint to be your moderator. But anyways, I appreciate being asked and just to let everyone know the format.
We have two candidates for the Select Board: David Carr and Linnea Lakin Servey are both with us this evening. We thank them for coming and for volunteering to, you know, for putting their names out and you know, being willing to put that time and energy into helping the town make progress. I've got about 10 questions that I've worked with the land trust on couple of them and then a couple of that I've added. We're going to start with a two-minute opening question and then you can take a minute or two to answer each of the questions. I'm going to throw them out to both of you separately and last one and then the other first. If there is some bone of contention that someone else wanted to answer, we'll give like one minute for an answer, but I don't think that will be necessary. We'll see if that comes up. If it does, we can deal with it. If it doesn't and you're just sharing your thoughts, then that's fine, too.
Linnea, why don't we start with you in terms of your opening statement?
Linnea Lakin Servey: Okay. Thank you. I want to thank the Lancaster Land Trust for sponsoring this Candidates Night and the voters who came out here tonight to and those at home tuning in to learn about our upcoming elections. Our strong democracy is fueled by events like this to bring us all together to inform voters and allow us to make decisions in line with our values and our hopes for this town. Excuse me, I'm reading because I'm a little nervous just to start out.
I am excited about this opportunity to talk about my candidacy for Lancaster Select Board. Lancaster has so many assets that other towns would love to have. We have the wonderful small town feel, strong sense of community and fantastic schools. We have the Thayer Memorial Library and beautiful open spaces with jewels like Cook Conservation Area. An incredibly long history. 371 years I think or 72 coming up. The Nashua River, the town beach, our great ponds, and the farms that we are still lucky lucky enough to have. I love Lancaster. I've lived here nearly all my life. I'm fourth generation Lancastrian. Fun fact, my grandfather was a select board member in the 1950s. For three generations, my family has served Lancaster by participating in town government, and I feel the same call to service. I raised my three children here in Lancaster. They're all proud Nashoba grads. Many parents with kids in school now may not know that K through 8 was not regionalized, was all was not always regionalized. I was a strong advocate for this change because I care about equity and education and a shared curriculum. While my children were growing up, I volunteered in youth programs like the afterschool skiing program, soccer, soccer, drama, and four official roles in the schools. I served on the school council at the middle school and the high school.
In my professional life, I've always been in finance. I've participated in internal and external audits, giving me an eye for financial details. This background will help me with the budget process. I will follow the numbers in the select board role. The town has changed and evolved, but we need to remember we're still a small town with that small town feel. We need to be innovative and creative about our budget and look for efficiencies where we can find them. Whoever wins this seat is going to have to lead during what looks like difficult financial times ahead.
Most recently, I led the campaign to adopt the Community Preservation Act or CPA in Lancaster after I realized that we were leaving state funds on the table. Since adopting CPA, we have realized $128,000 in state funds to support our town. And I've recently retired after my career in finance, and I have time to contribute and want to ensure to we continue to make Lancaster the best place to call home. Thank you.
Peter Stanton: Terrific. Awesome, David.
David Carr: Again, thank you to Lancaster Land Trust. I think of Peter for sharing your time with us and for the voters in the room and the voters online. I think it's important to talk a little bit about why I feel like I'm here. I look at every opportunity for growth and I look for every opportunity to volunteer with the town. I think for those that don't know me, I run a family-based charity in town that helps feed families across eastern and central Massachusetts. I've been involved with the town recreation committee, Cub Scouts, the Lancaster MRE PTO, and the 4H program. I've recently served on the town economic development committee, and serve as the vice president of the NHSA athletic boosters. I am constantly seeking opportunity to better the opportunity for those around us. And so when I look at what we have for opportunity here in town, I look and say we have pockets of places that need development. I look at our opportunity within the budget cycle. I know that by having been involved by attending the budget sessions this year that we are coming into what is considered to be a tougher financial year. And so one of the things that we need to be talking about is what are the development opportunities in town? And I feel like for the, for a long period of time and at least whether this is real or perception I believe the perception of a lot of people in town is that we are not business friendly. And that has harbored some ill will in, I try to stay above the politics that we're, I've seen and experienced here in town hall. And I think that's something that differentiates me, the ability to stay above the fray and focus on what we need to focus on both as a town and in my position as a select person. I appreciate the opportunity to talk to each and every one of you about what your feelings are for what the opportunities here in town are. If you're interested in talking to me, I'd love the opportunity to do so and I'd be thankful for your vote.
Peter Stanton: Wonderful. Okay, so the first there are total 10 questions. The first one was, why are you running for office? I think both of you kind of got at that in your opening comments, but the second I'll combine the next couple which is to say what makes you the most qualified for the job and other are demonstrable accomplishments or issues that you want to share with the voters? David, we'll start with you.
David Carr: Sure. Can you again repeat?
Peter Stanton: So, what makes you the most qualified for this job? and are there demonstrable accomplishments that you've had that you want to share or issues that you you'd want to share how you'd approach with the voters?
David Carr: I think for me it's my ability to bring people together. It's something that I've focused my life on. I've worked for a software company for the last 12 years and I work in management and my job is to help other employees build themselves up and connect with different groups within our company and with clients. For me here in town, it's having been involved in so many different, call them extracurriculars and having been involved with our town economic development committee and our town recreation committee over years. I have experience with both internal systems within town and then external systems. I think my focus as a select board member is looking at where we can develop commercial industrial space to help grow our tax base. For me, I think that's the biggest problem that we're seeing in town. We have folks that have lived here for a very long time and are struggling with the idea that their tax taxes keep rising, but unfortunately, our costs keep rising as well. And so, the only way to offset that without building additional housing, which is something that people tend to avoid is to be focused more on commercial and industrial development. There are opportunities in town for to do that, but I would say that nothing is shovel ready. there's nothing you can turn to tomorrow and if someone were to ask what are we going to do to you know reduce our tax burden.
There's nothing there is no silver bullet there's nothing that's going to effectively change that for tomorrow but the focus of the board and the focus on the town needs to be on economic development. I'm hoping that as a select board member I'll have the opportunity to pick the next town manager and again help guide what you know the things that we should be focused on for the next several years.
Peter Stanton: Got it. So I'll repeat it with you just so are fresh with that. So, what makes you the most qualified for the job and other demonstrable accomplishments that you've had that you want to share or other issues that you'd like to sort of bring to the for?
Linnea Lakin Servey: Okay, that's like three questions, but I'll try to keep it to two. Okay. I think my professional finance background will help a lot. I've just got that eye for numbers. I mean, I started my career way back at Digital Equipment Corporation where some people may remember, and I ended up retiring from 10 years with a biotech company. So, I've got all kinds of financial background and I think that's really something that the select board needs to liaison with the finance committee. I've been attending select board meetings, watching the FinCom meetings, faithful town member town meeting, you know, going to town meeting every year. So, I kind of feel like I know where we've been and where we're at, and I want to see a brighter future, more cooperation in the future. and yes, the next select board member will be in on hiring the next town administrator, and that's going to be huge. We need to find the right person to steer this town forward. We still need to in the budgeting process, we still need to look for innovation and efficiencies, long-term planning and goal setting. My accomplishments: you know, just being involved in town. I feel like I know this town. I think the biggest accomplishment was bringing the Community Preservation Act to Lancaster. I helped do that. Started 5 years ago and it brings money for historic preservation, open space recreation, and affordable housing. All things this town needs that normally are not in the regular budget. There's never room for those things. So, you know, that's huge. We now have money to put towards affordable housing. We spent $100,000 on renovating Thayer field. The library has been a beneficiary of the Community Preservation Act. I found a donation through a public partnership with to bring the dugouts of worth $32,000 to the Thayer field. That was a donation by Suffolk Construction which we had we worked as they have a gift back program and we took advantage of it. I'm a hard worker. I'm ready to take on this role. I like to engage in healthy discussion and do what's best for all of Lancaster. Also, the other fun fact, I'm treasurer of the Lancaster Historical Society, and we are fully compliant, following all our nonprofit forms, and everything's up to date.
Peter Stanton: Okay. So, and again, some of these questions are going to are going to cross over some issues that you've already brought up, but the question is, what are the top, what would you say are the top two challenges facing Lancaster, and how will you help the town address those issues? I think Linnea, you're, if I got my count right, we're starting with your top two issues.
Linnea Lakin Servey: Yes. Our top two issues are living within our budget and trying to relieve the tax burden. We need to expand our business commercial tax base. You know, everybody needs to be able to afford to live in this town and people who have lived here their whole life want to stay here and that should be possible for as long as they possibly can. Bringing business, we've had zoning changes up in North Lancaster and so far, we've had no results with those. We need to reach out and be proactive and figure out what kind of business we want in Lancaster and how to attract that business here. We need those tax dollars. We've got empty buildings on Main Street that not only are unsightly, but those could be filled with possibly small businesses. We need to encourage the small businesses to come in and revitalize South Lancaster. Let's see. You know, we should reach out to the Chamber of Commerce, you know, and business leaders. South Lancaster had a community development block grant and we need to follow up on those things. We need to figure out what services we can offer in town that our residents are now leaving Lancaster to, you know, get their groceries, whatever they need. We need to really promote Lancaster in the best way possible.
Peter Stanton: Got it. So again, the top two challenges facing Lancaster and how you will help the town address those issues. And I know you mentioned finances, but yeah, that's fine.
David Carr: Number one for me is economic development. We have plenty of empty buildings. We have plenty of space that is developable for commercial and industrial space. I started to see some of this in action with the economic development committee, but I feel like to a certain extent the economic development committee is toothless. And there are opportunities there to work with planning and the town administrator to identify businesses that could be useful in Lancaster and identify plots of land that are developable but are not being developed. That is generally a focus that the select board should be more focused on now especially with again upcoming the potential for upcoming financial troubles and our lack of diversified tax base.
Number two is affordable housing. There is no affordable housing in town. We still have not met the requirement for affordable housing and it is something that I know that Linnea just mentioned but people want to live out their years here and they're finding it harder and harder to do so and without a reduced tax burden. I constantly try to think of the idea like taxes are never going to go down. We're never going to see the tax number go down. But if we can decrease the speed at which the taxes increase should really be a focus for us. And as a select board member, I think we have the time and the ability to focus on both of those things. Number one, economic development. And number two, diversifying our housing base so that people can live out their years here if they so choose. And you know, people like our local teachers and firefighters can afford to live here.
Peter Stanton: So, I'm jumping around on the questions because I'm trying to stick with something that we're already talking about, right, versus kind of doing that. And so, one of the questions was on affordable housing and I'll go back to you David with that.
So just to create that context. So, one of the measures of that is to reach the state qualified level of 10% of your housing being affordable and that puts you in a safe zone and it doesn't allow for 40b projects which can be which can really ignore a lot of laws that would you know town requirements when it comes to environmental issues etc. So it's clearly I think it's called safe haven right safe harbor. Okay. Harbor. All right. Good. So what specifically do you know our percentage rate now and are there specific things that you think that we can do not just to make the town more affordable but to kind of drive that development? Like where do you see those opportunities?
David Carr: I think number one like we should be working with developers to identify especially with property that's already available in town to identify opportunities for affordable housing growth. I know that every time we talk about a developer putting up one or two or three or four single family homes, there's an opportunity they're required to, you know, put a percentage either they're paying into the affordable housing trust fund or they have to make one of the units affordable. But we haven't been focused on building affordable unit. I take senior citizens for example. That's an a group in town that is really focused on trying to stay here and the opportunity to do so is much harder because of the tax burden of a single family home. But if there was opportunity for condo living, that is something that we should look for the opportunity to do and working with developers with the upcoming opportunity at DCAMM and the opportunity hopefully at Atlantic Union College. I think there's going to be opportunity for us as a town and again as a select board to try to drive those conversations.
Peter Stanton: Okay, same question, Linnea, just kind of drilling down on affordable housing and how you help us get over that 10% line?
Linnea Lakin Servey: Affordable housing is a critical need, and we do have the affordable housing trust which we didn't have four or five years ago, and they've got a production plan. We're currently at 6.78% and we need to be at 10. I don't know how long ago it was, probably 20 years ago, there was a friendly local 40B development called Meditation Way up in North Lancaster that we worked with the developer and we need more of that to work with the developers like Dave said. We need to have places where senior citizens can move to a smaller residence and still be in the town that they love. And yeah, absolutely work with AUC on the development and try to get that going. We also have DCAMM which will probably be housing, and we need to really have a seat at the table. We're promised a seat at the table to get that going and if that's going to be affordable housing, we need to make sure it's something that fits with our neighborhoods and meets the needs of the people.
Peter Stanton: Okay. So again, we're kind of covering ground that the prepared questions were for, right? And so, you we've all talked about kind of three distinct big parcels, right? And so, let's drill down on sort of where the leverage is as a select board. Where can you really make a difference? Obviously, you know, Atlantic Union is, you know, some of these private entities and, you know, that the town doesn't have say. Maybe with DCAMM we'll have much more of a say right if there's some land transfer. But if you talked about each and you can pick you can pick just one or two but spend a couple minutes kind of drilling down whether it's the north Lancaster development, the DCAMM property or the Atlantic Union property. Where do you think the greatest leverage is and where you as a select board member can really make the biggest difference? You can pick one. Yes. I think you're first.
Linnea Lakin Servey: Okay, didn't want to speak out of turn. I think our biggest opportunity is the North Lancaster property. That's a potential site for the MBTA housing that the state mandates for communities that are adjacent to communities that have MBTA transportation. We have the 40R that's already been voted up there and that's a section of the affordable housing or the 40B. It's one of the subsections and that we could have really have a select board member meet with them to advocate for what Lancaster needs. We need to be involved in that process. And I think that's our biggest opportunity at the moment.
Peter Stanton: Okay, David, same question.
David Carr: I don't like the word leverage, especially when you're talking about private entities. We don't really have leverage over Atlanta Union College, but I think I attended the town meeting they had last week where they were talking about what the future of Atlanta Union College is, specifically the land where the college sits. And still publicly there's still not a lot of information available. It got to the point an hour and a half into the meeting where they just said we're negotiating. You know, there's no contract signed and that's fine. I think but the focus for us is for me the two biggest opportunities we have over the next 3 to 5 years is going to be Atlantic Union College and the DCAMM site. Atlantic Union College because it's still, there's still an opportunity there for mixed use and for residential. You can see if they were to sell the land to a developer, if they're going to I don't know if they're going to take down the buildings, if they're going to keep some of the buildings, but there is opportunity there for growth. the DCAMM site, you know, again, none of this is shovel ready. This isn't something that's going to be tomorrow or 6 months from now or even a year from now but being able to have conversations with developers and work with developers to identify again if we're looking for mixed use. I agree that it will likely be mostly residential, but there's an opportunity for small business if there's an opportunity for more recreation space. We don't have enough soccer fields here in town (joke). Those are the things that a select board member and again someone who's going to help choose the new town administrator can be focused on. And I think those two areas of town are something that it's a little bit more centric to people who live around the area. I feel like in North Lancaster, especially the sites that have been redeveloped, you have the folks out in the back on a white pond, but everything on Route 70, there isn't a ton of residential out there. And so, where we're looking there is more commercial industrial space. All of these help us increase the number of taxes that we're taking in and help ultimately reduce the burden on your common homeowning taxpayer here in town.
Peter Stanton: Got it. So, a related issue, and this has to do with open space. Where do you stand in terms of preserving open space in town? When's it a good investment? When is it not prudent? what's your sort of view of open space? And I think David, you're first.
David Carr: I love open space. I love the fact that we have fields in town, and we have the town forest, and we have Cooks Conservation Land. We have places that people can go. I think the difference between it being a prudent investment and non-prudent investment is where is the town financially at that point in time to be able to afford to preserve open space versus not. I think you'd be hard pressed to ask people in town if they want to pay an increased tax rate in order to secure open space versus if we find ourselves in a budget position where there's more money available down the road if we have increased industrial and commercial realization within town. That's a much easier sell to folks. But I think it's important and it's something that sets us apart from other small towns in the area is that we have plenty of opportunity and open space to use.
Peter Stanton: Got it.
Linnea Lakin Servey: I think open space is a good investment. It helps our air, our water. It gives the wild animals that share Lancaster with us a space of their habitat. and our farmland and forests very, very easily could become housing developments. And we need to offset that with affordable housing. We need all of that. But with the open space that we have, and community preservation can help buy open space and that is with state contributions. You have an increased property value if you live near an open space. You have that wonderful vista, you know, be it a forest, be it a field, be it a pond. I think it's a win-win for Lancaster to have open space.
Peter Stanton: Got it. So, this one is we've kind of talked about finances in the budget, but the question is, is there anything that that can be done to mitigate the school costs and that tax burden? So, we kind of all have referenced this, you know, constant rise and we see it on our tax bills, right? other than we've talked about commercial development, right? Anything else that can be done from a select board kind of management standpoint to mitigate those rising costs?
Linnea Lakin Servey: I'd like to see the tri town committee revived. There used to be a meeting where the three towns would get together and talk about budgeting, what's expected, what their positions were, and how to best manage the school costs because they’re approximately 70% of the budget. We need to engage with other town leaders and the school committee. We need to have a liaison constantly, you know, always going to the school committee meetings to bring back that information to the rest of the board. We need to be proactive with that planning and make sure that we're keeping the standards. We've got great schools and that increases our property values. Nobody wants to move to a town that has schools that aren't well respected, and we also need to engage with our state leg legislators because we are mandated a lot of programs in the school. There's mandated by the state and the state should help us pay for it. So, we need to collaborate with our other towns and really work with our legislators.
Peter Stanton: Okay.
David Carr: I think for me, it's the focus is really working with school administration. I mean I'll be upfront and honest with you. We moved here for the schools. My wife, beautiful wife, sitting in the back is from Stow grew up in Stow was an Nashoba grad. And when we got married and moved out to this area Lancaster just felt like home. But we were ultimately looking for a place that had a great school system and so that's why we initially ended up here. And so, and this is the same conversation we have regardless of whether it's school or its internal town budgeting, is that if you go to work every day and you work hard and you do what you're supposed to do, you assume that at the end of the year there's going to be some kind of raise involved, right? You're not going to continue to work for the same amount of money over time. with our increased health care costs and the growth in our schools. I think the type of thing that we need to be working on is what are I think number one and you mentioned it is working more with the state to identify how we can see that funding source increase. But for me that when I see the tax bill come and I see the increases come I look and think it’s mostly the schools and typically it is it's that and healthcare costs between the town and the school system. But this year, I mean, I've watched a half a dozen of the school committee meetings. My wife happens to work for the local middle school. So, I mean, I'm hearing about a lot of the conversations about people that aren't coming back next year. Like, they're making hard cuts, too. And so, those are the types of things that we should be looking at as a town. Are we doing the same things that we're expecting the school systems to be doing? are we tightening our belts as much as humanly possible? But again, it all leads back to economic development. if we have the opportunity to increase the tax base in town, those conversations get to be a little bit easier.
Peter Stanton: Got it. So, one question. I'll ask you guys, you can make some closing comments as well, but the one more question I wanted to get to which I floated around till the end was the town ballot questions. Right. So, we've got a town meeting on Cinco de Mayo and then the very next week we have the town election and so we've got two ballot questions. you know the first one is whether we go from three to five selectmen right and the second one is whether we adopt a police and fire a single position that is commissioner overseeing both departments. So, the question is, how do you plan to vote on those questions and why? And then then after some closing comments, we've got a couple of representatives here to talk directly to voters about why yes and why no. Sort of, you know, representing both sides, but we'll get you guys to answer the question first instead of letting them.
David Carr: Okay, my vote’s private. No, I'm just struggling. We'll start with the easy one which is question number two. The current public safety superintendent ever Moody said there shouldn't be a public safety superintendent. The most members of the fire department say there shouldn't be a public safety superintendent. So right now, there is no fire chief. That means Everett is not licensed. He does not hold the what's the verb I'm looking for? certifications that are required and like to be on scene at a fire and to be in charge. He is an administrative head and so basically, we've added an administrative head. Now we're talking about adding a fire chief to that. I don't think it's necessary. We should go back to having a fire chief and a police chief. If both the person who's doing the job currently, the people who made the position and the people who are ultimately operating under that position are all telling you no, I'm going to go ahead and say the answer is probably no.
Number one, a little bit more divisive and that's okay. I believe that we should stick with a three-person select board and my reasoning is pretty simple and straightforward. In the last 20 years, eight of our select board elections have had one person run and the other 12 have had two people run. We have never had more than two people running for the select board. I don't know what the premise to expanding the select board thinking more people will then run for a position. If we only have two people running and there are two open positions, it's as simple as getting 32 signatures and then you become a select person. There's no exchange of ideas. There's no choice for townspeople. It's as simple as going out and getting the signatures and congratulations, you're on the Select Board. I think if we had people waiting in line to join town committees, if we had multiple people always running for the select board, it would make more sense to increase the board size. But I, for one, don't believe that that's the case. Now, there are nine open positions on boards. This is the only this is the only position on the entire ballot that actually has more than one candidate. there is a there is a lack of volunteers in this town. If you look around, it's a Venn diagram. You heard me say at town meeting last year, it's the same 25 people that are working in every single group here in town. So until we get more people involved, until I see three or four or five people getting out there and running for select board, I don't think you can increase the size. Thank you.
Linnea Lakin Servey: Okay. On the commissioner question, I agree. I think it's a little bit confusing. We voted on it at the town meeting. We were supposed to validate it here at the ballot and things have changed. It doesn't seem necessary when we're looking for a fire chief. It's just an added layer of management and we can't afford that kind of salary. We're not that big of a town to have a commissioner.
On the other question, the three to five, there's an old adage, many hands make light work. I don't see a downside. It costs nothing to have two more members. We have more representation. It spreads the work out. We're a small town, but being on a select board in a small town has become much more complex. We need more people to work the issues to bring back to the greater board. it was recommended by the department of local services, the government study committee and the town voted at last town meeting to go ahead with it and we're go asked to validate it at the ballot. I really don't see a downside. I think if we there's there is a lack of volunteers right now because I think our volunteers don't feel empowered. They don't feel like what they're doing is making a difference. And so you're not going to get people running. You need we need to really encourage people to step up and help out the town. It will save the town money and it will just get greater representation. Thank you.
Peter Stanton: Terrific. Thank you.
David Carr: If I may, II don't love the idea that people don't think that they're adding value. I think volunteers in volunteering in anything in anything that you're doing in town, you obviously have a perception that you're adding value. I think the problem with expanding the board to five is that it's simply again it falls to the idea that like if people aren't volunteering now, why are they going to volunteer if there's more seats? Are you only volunteering because you think you can't run in an election? Are you only volunteering because now you know you don't actually have to run? that shouldn't be the type of person you want on the select board. It should be someone who is actively interested in attempting to be on the board as opposed to just going out and getting 32 signatures and automatically being a select board member.
Linnea Lakin Servey: And I disagree. It's kind of like if you build it, they will come. I think if there's more opportunity, we'll see more volunteers.
Peter Stanton: Well, I think you know there was little a division in Maine and there was a guy at who wore this little button that it said civility. So we finally have a point of contention and we're having a very civilized intelligent conversation about what those differences are. So, I appreciate uh both of you thoughtfully answering these questions and letting folks in town know where your differences are and where you agree and sort of, you know, helping to discuss some of the issues that we're facing. So, much appreciated.
Rebecca Young-Jones: Peter, can I just make a point about the current vacancies?
Peter Stanton: Yes.
Rebecca Young-Jones: So, we had four people vacate six positions in early March right before the election papers were due into town.
Peter Stanton: So, that was the lead story in the Lancaster Lede. Did you see that? That was the lead story in the Lancaster Lede.
Rebecca Young-Jones: Yep. So this is a this is a big problem and I will go further than Linnea did, that a lot of the reason for the lack of volunteerism is that we've dismissed or disenfranchised a lot of volunteers in this community over the last 5 years and I myself who was on the economic, the original Economic Development Committee and also was thinking about and I did run for Planning Board and was also thinking about other things. Just don't want to get into the fray because as you say we haven't been very civil, have we? So, I'm hoping things will change and I don't know anybody that actually has a good democratic mindset would say that expanding a leadership board from three to five people is a bad thing. It is a very good thing. It's a very democratic thing. More people involved, more people will be involved.
Peter Stanton: So, that's a good segue into the next topic, which is we're going to hear from a couple different folks. And I wrote this down.
David Carr: I didn't realize there was a public comment section. I' I'd love an opportunity to
Alix Turner: Yeah. So, Peter. Yeah.
Alix Turner and Peter Stanton had a short discussion on David Carr being able to respond to the ad hoc comment.
Peter Stanton: Well, why don't if you were going to, you can give your closing comments and comment on that comment but I guess we won't have any other comments.
David Carr: Again, I think the focus of the select board needs to be on economic development. It really does. I think economic development is the lynch pin for how we move forward as a town. Increased commercial development, increased industrial development, and smart development, working with the developers, working with the planning board, working with the chamber of commerce, which the planner town planner is already doing. These need to be a focus of our group going forward. whether it's me or whether it's Linnea, the opportunity is there for us to find ways to be the town that people want to continue living in. I don't want the focus so much to be on what happened in the past as much as I want it to be on what we're capable of doing going forward. And I think being forward focused and being development focused leads us to other opportunities whether it's again having the money to then put into more affordable housing or purchasing more open space, providing more services to the Lancaster residents to make it again the town that people want it to be. and I hope to gain your vote and to be that person for the select board going forward.
Linnea Lakin Servey: Again, I'd like to thank the Lancaster Land Trust for sponsoring this event for the community and thank you for the voters coming out tonight or tuning in. Our democracy needs our attention and if we are to maintain it, we need to engage and discuss and interact and share ideas. We need to keep our town strong. I will, as some of you may know, I'm not afraid to speak out and raise questions to ask for clear explanations and what matters in matters that will affect Lancaster residents now and tomorrow. We need to set attainable, measurable goals. Our town staff and our volunteers need to be empowered to work together. Government doesn't move quickly, but we need to recognize we need to move forward. We need to innovate instead of rehashing the same problems without a solution. I may be retired, but I haven't lost the need to get things done. I have time and experience to contribute, and I want to ensure we continue to make Lancaster the best place to be home, call home. I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve the town and use my finance background to work for Lancaster as a member of the Select Board. I humbly ask for your vote.
Peter Stanton: Terrific. Let's thank them both for So you guys can join the the gallery out there, wherever you want to sit.
So, Bob, I thought that our speakers should speak from the podium probably, right? Unless you want them to sit in the chair so that they're on Zoom. after them. Okay. So, the first person coming up to talk about question one is Russ Williston.
Russ Williston: Thank you, Peter. Thank you, Land Trust, for this chance to share more information with the voters. I'm just one of a group of residents who've worked for this for the past few years. It's been a pleasure working with so many positive, fact-driven neighbors to improve Lancaster. Voting yes on question one completes the process that we started three years ago. We researched this through the town's government study committee. We received a recommendation from the state division of local services. We confirmed public support through a townwide survey, and we secured approval at last year's town meeting to request special legislation. We're very grateful to Representative Kilcoyne, Senator Cronin, and Governor Healey who guided that legislation through the House and the Senate and signed it this past winter. Now, we can take the final step. By voting to accept the legislation, Lancaster can expand its select board from 3 to five members. Imagine elections where you pick two candidates from a list of all the candidates instead of just one. That encourages every candidate to appeal to every voter. Even if they're not someone's first choice, they'll want to be their second. It attracts more candidates.
Right now, we typically have two candidates each year because friends will drop out to avoid splitting the vote. Five member boards are also more resilient. Bolton has a three-member board and recently one member's retirement has left their board short-handed while they move towards a vote on a levy limit override. In fact, last week a group in Bolton reached out to us. They saw our lawn signs and now they want to expand Bolton's select.
Maybe most importantly, a five-member board allows it to represent more of the town, to have better discussions, and to entertain more ideas. That's why the state recommended five members when they reviewed Lancaster's government in 2023. Towns that move to five-member boards see more candidates, experience healthy elections, and enjoy more perspectives and stronger decision-making. That's why the state recommends it. That's why our committee recommended it and why Town Meeting voted to move forward last year. I mean just to, I mentioned the government study committee that was a committee of nine people, one of the largest committees we've had in town. We actually had 15 applications for that committee. We had to turn people away. So, there are plenty of volunteers in town and only just recently. I'm proud to have worked along so many neighbors on this. I hope you'll vote yes on May 12th. And I'm going to leave you with a quote from another town. The quote is, "We already have a tremendous lack of volunteers." That was from current select board chair Joshua Laughlin, who's not a fan of the five-member scenario. He says that the town has too many open seats on boards and committees as it is, and folks may not be aware of the complications. That's not from Lancaster. That's from another town that adopted a five member select board. That's from Putney, Vermont that only has 2,000 residents. They successfully expanded to five members. They've had a full select board every year since then.
Peter Stanton: Thank you very much. And that was hearing from the yes side. And now I'd like to call up Win Clark, a resident on Main Street. Go Main Street.
Win Clark: Thanks Peter. Thank you, candidates. I'm going to first read the con passage that was passed on to me and then I'll just add a little of my own perspective. You know, I've stepped back largely from things going on in town, but for whatever reason, this is something that I feel pretty strongly about. I even posted several paragraphs on Facebook and put a sign out in front, but here's the written statement. The effort to expand the select board to five members is well intended but misguided and should be voted down for many reasons, including concerns about transparency and the lack of volunteers willing to step up for town elections in our town. Supporters of the measure have said that with a five-person board, any two members would be allowed to meet privately to discuss business without violating open meeting laws. That's true. but I'm not sure we want that. why would we want our select board members meeting in private? Shouldn't we be hearing their deliberations and discussions without having them meeting out for coffee in a back room wherever?
If you support transparency in government, you should vote no on question one. Furthermore, towns our size or bigger that have gone to five person boards are now trying to revert back to a three-person board. Let's learn from their mistakes. Finally, we have a hard enough time attracting qualified and talented volunteers. arguments that we've already heard tonight. Increasing to a five-person board greatly increases the risks of having open seats and a dysfunctional board. In short, the proposal for a five-person board, although well-intentioned, is a solution in search of a problem and should be voted down. That's the end of the pre-written statement.
And from my perspective, you know, we have two really strong candidates here who were here tonight. I've worked with both Dave and Linnea on recreation and on CPA. I want to keep it that way. I want to always have strong candidates when possible. I believe that going to a five-person board drastically increases the likelihood of an uncontested election, which to me is the worst possible outcome. You know, obviously if there's an uncontested election, and I think it's inevitable, you don't have a choice. You render our vote useless. And I think it ultimately, could decrease voter turnout, voter interest. When there are other things on that ballot that could be important, a lot of people are coming out to vote just for Selectman, and if there's no interest there, you know, my fear is that it could have a negative impact. you know and I also think a lot of the benefits to five-member boards are sort of speculative in my mind an uncontested race is inevitable it's the least speculative component of all this so having said all that I would encourage you to vote no and focus more on the quality of the candidates rather than the quantity of the candidates thanks.
Peter Stanton: Both of them took about 3 minutes and 14 seconds. That was balanced. If you think I'm on my phone, I'm just clicking on the stopwatch to make sure we have that discipline. Anyways, question two, related to the new commissioner of police and fire and so forth, public safety, Roy Rezac.
Roy Rezac: I'm Roy Rezac. Speaking as a private citizen, I'll be providing the con position relative to the public safety commissioner position. I wrote the wording that you will see on the ballot for the question that will be coming up. When it came time to solicit input and get written statements for the pro position, no other voter in town submitted any information for the prop position. It had to be written by our lawyer in order to comply with Massachusetts state laws. So, let me kind of summarize, and tell you what's in the con position. You will see on the ballot. I'll read it and then make a few comments. For public safety, Lancaster needs highly qualified chiefs of both police and fire departments. Each a state certified expert in their particular area specialty. For our police department, we need a certified expert for traffic enforcement, crime prevention, apprehension, mutual aid, requests to from neighboring towns, etc. For our fire department, we need someone for fire safety and fire prevention, response to critical fires, ambulance response, mutual aid requests to and from other towns, etc. It's important to note that both the select board and the finance committee have both agreed unanimously to fund the strong the fire chief in this year's budget coming up. Currently, we do not have a fire chief in town. Both boards are recommending that we fund and hire a fire chief because we need someone with that specialized qualified knowledge in that area. A public safety commissioner would be an administrative position above the police and fire chiefs. However, the commissioner would typically not have additional qualifications necessary to effectively advise either the police or the fire chief on critical matters in their areas of expertise and so would bring almost no additional benefit to either the department or to Lancaster. Furthermore, at an estimated cost of $200 to $300,000 per year, this position would cost approximately an additional $70 to $105 additional in taxes on the average assessed value of a home. In summary, the public safety commissioner position provides no added value to the qualified certified police and fire chiefs and their departments. Provides no additional benefit to the town of Lancaster while raising our taxes and prov and is an unnecessary, expensive, and unfunded administrative position. It's not in the budget for this year. It would be additional taxes over and above what's in the budget for this year and it would raise our taxes between 70 and $105 per year on the average home. I recommend a no vote on this ballot question. I think it's clear and you've heard other comments tonight. This is an administrative position that we don't need. We need the expertise of the two separately qualified in different dimensions chiefs to run these departments for the good of Lancaster and for the good of us in our neighboring towns. And we have to either ask for mutual aid or provide mutual aid. Thank you.
Peter Stanton: Just so. Alix Turner is going to read the official yes vote statement which is about a third of the size of the no copy.
Alix Turner: So, I'd like to preface this with just a little bit of background. Back when dinosaurs roam the earth, and I was the selectman in my first term. We had some very similar times, some very contentious, complicated ballot questions coming before the town and as selectmen we decided to try to inform the residents as much as we possibly could by publishing a voters’ handbook essentially that would be sent out to people. You'll see that referred to as in the general acts of 2004 and 2005 and that passed. Times have changed. We're in a little bit of a crunch. So now the pros and cons that you've heard about, I'm happy they're there were, are going to be distributed at the polling place but also touched upon at this forum because we felt it was important for voters to be as informed as they possibly could. This particular question is has been very confusing for people because it went to the town meeting last year with support and it passed and we have a wonderful person in this position, Everett Moody, who's done a fabulous job. He did a fabulous job as police chief and as acting commissioner or interim commissioner and I'm sure he will. I'm going to read the yes vote. It was written by town council. As Peter said, it is not in any way, I'm not personally endorsing this. I am reading this because I feel it's a duty to inform residents, but do not take this as a personal endorsement. Please. So, our attorneys wrote a yes vote.
The town of Lancaster should vote to authorize the select board to appoint a single chief of the police fire departments. Appointing a single individual to serve as the chief of both departments will allow for greater collaboration and coordination between the departments and increased public safety. The select board could appoint the chief of the police and fire departments to serve as commissioner of public safety. Finally, while a contract would still need to be negotiated, having a single chief of the police and fire departments may result in reduced cost to the town. Thank you.
Peter Stanton: So, I think that that puts a wrap on our proceedings. Bob, I don't know if you wanted to make any closing comments.
Bob Lidstone: Vote.
Peter Stanton: Yeah. Well, but you know, there's 20 some odd folks in the room here and the people watching, I would consider all of them as sort of active and engaged. And I think, you know, the town succeeds when we have more people active and engaged. When I hear Win Clark say he's cutting way back, I mean, he's cutting way back so that he's only in the top 1% of people, you know engaged in the issues around town. So, thank you, Win. anyways, thank everyone for their time, uh, for our candidates, for sharing their ideas, and for everyone turning out tonight. Much appreciated.
Town Warrant Articles can be found in full here:
https://www.ci.lancaster.ma.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif16016/f/events/warrant_for_atm_5.5.2025.pdf
Excerpt of Town Warrant Articles:
ARTICLE 1
FISCAL YEAR 2025 OPERATING BUDGET
To see if the Town will vote to amend the FY2025 budget by transferring from available funds or Free Cash; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 2
FISCAL YEAR 2025 CAPITAL BUDGET
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate Two Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand ($224,000) from the Capital Stabilization Fund for the purposes of funding certain capital projects; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 3
FISCAL YEAR 2026 OPERATING BUDGET
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate by taxation, or transfer from available funds or Free Cash, the sum of Thirty-One Million, Four Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand, Three Hundred Nine Dollars ($31,425,309), or any other sum of money, to defray the expenses of the Town and School Department beginning July 1, 2025. as follows:
ARTICLE 4
NASHOBA REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate One Million Dollars ($1 000,000), or any other sum of money, for the purposes of paying debt service associated with the Nashoba Regional High School Construction Project School, and to meet such appropriation by transferring Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) from the Capital Stabilization Fund and Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) from Free Cash; or take any other action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 5
RENEWABLE ENERGY ENTERPRISE FUND
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate One Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars
($115,000), or any other sum of money, for the Town’s Renewable Energy Enterprise Fund to
finance the operation of the Landfill Solar Array for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2025.
ARTICLE 6
WATER ENTERPRISE FUND BUDGET
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Million, Nine Hundred ThirtyThree Thousand, One Hundred Sixty-Eight Dollars ($1,933,168), or any other sum of money, from the Water Enterprise Fund, to finance the operation of the Water Department for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2025.
ARTICLE 7
Water Line Project
Requires 2/3 vote
To see if the Town will vote to take the following actions relative to the Water Line Replacement
Project:
(A) appropriate Thirteen Million, Five Hundred Fourteen Thousand, Five Hundred Thirteen Dollars and Seventeen Cents ($13,514,513.17) for the purposes of replacing water lines on public ways within Town, including all costs for design, engineering, bidding and procurement, paving and drainage infrastructure, and construction, and any and all costs incidental thereto, and to meet this appropriation take the following actions:
1. Transfer One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) from Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings;
2. Rescind and reallocate Two Hundred Sixty Four Thousand, Five Hundred Thirteen Dollars and seventeen cents ($264,513.17) from previously approved appropriations from Water Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings.
3. Authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow Eleven Million, Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1 I 750,000) under M.G.L. Chapter 44, or pursuant to any other enabling authority; said sum to be expended under the authority of Board of Public Works;
Rescind the borrowing authorized at the May 3, 2023 Annual Town Meeting under Article 4 for a new water main; and close out the appropriation authorized at the May 2, 2022 Annual Town Meeting under Article 4, for the engineering, construction, and reconstruction of certain water lines, with said remaining funds of Seven Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand, Three Hundred Twenty Three Dollars and Forty One Cents ($764,323.41) reverting to the Water Enterprise Fund; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 8
REVOLVING FUND ACCOUNTS BUDGETS
To see if the Town will vote pursuant to M.G.L. c.44 §53E112, to set the total amount that may be spent from the various revolving funds for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1 2025.
ARTICLE 9
FISCAL YEAR CAPITAL PLAN
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the following sums of money, to be expended by the respective Departments or Officers indicated, for the capital projects and purchases itemized and described; or take any action relative thereto.
(see chart in Warrant)
ARTICLE 10
Compensation Plans
To see if the Town will vote to accept the Compensation Plans effective July 1 2025, and Classification Plans, effective July 1, 2025, as shown on the below charts; or take any action relative thereto.
(see chart in Warrant)
ARTICLE 11
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET
To see if the Town will vote to hear and act on the report of the Community Preservation Committee on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, to vote to appropriate or reserve from the Community Preservation Fund annual revenues in the amounts recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for committee administrative expenses and all other necessary and proper expenses of the Community Preservation committee, with each item to be considered a separate appropriation; or take any action relative thereto:
(see chart in Warrant)
ARTICLE 12
SUNSHADE FOR THE NATHANIAL THAYER MEMORIAL PARK PLAYGROUND
To see if the Town will vote appropriate Twenty Two Thousand Dollars ($22,000) from the Community Preservation Act Open Space/Recreation Reserves to rehabilitate and replace three sunshades for the playground area at Nathanial Thayer Memorial Park, 39 Harvard Road, Lancaster, with said funds to be used for the design, engineering, procurement and bidding, and construction of such project, inclusive of any and all costs incidental and related thereto, said funds to be expended under the direction of the Town Administrator; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 13
LIBRARY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Requires 2/3 Vote
To see if the Town will vote to appropriate Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000), or any other sum of money, expended under the direction of the Board of Library Trustees for the purposes of rehabilitating and preserving the roof and masonry at the Thayer Memorial Library, 717 Main Street, Lancaster, with said funds to be used for the design, engineering, procurement and bidding, and construction of such project, inclusive of any and all costs incidental and related thereto; and that to meet this appropriation take the following actions;
1. Transfer Sixty-Four Thousand, Seven Hundred Forty-Eight Dollars ($64,748) from Free Cash;
2. Rescind and reallocate One Hundred Eight Five Thousand, Two Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars ($185,252) 3. Appropriate Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) from the Historic Resources Reserve Fund;
4. Appropriate Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) from the CPA Undesignated Fund,
5. Authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, to borrow the sum of Four
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000) for a 10-year period as authorized under the
Community Preservation Act pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 44B, section II or any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, with said debt service to be paid from the Historic Resources Reserve Fund and the Undesignated Fund, in the amounts appropriated at future Town Meetings; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 14
REPEAL OF CHAPTER 17, ARTICLE VIII OF THE TOWN BYLAW
To see if the Town will vote to repeal Chapter 17, Article VIII, Property Disposal Committee, of its General Bylaws in its entirety, or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 15
IPOD Amendment
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 220-8.7 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw, Integrated Planning Overlay District (IPOD) to provide increased design flexibility and efficiency in the siting of uses in this Overlay District; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 16
Ground Mounted Solar
Requires 2/3 Vote
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 220-76 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw, Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Installations, for the purposes of reducing the setbacks provided for in Section 220-76.H; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 17
Accessory Dwelling Unit
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 220-9.1 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), for the purpose of establishing new rules related to ADUs and complying with Section 8 of Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024 and regulations promulgated by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, 760 CMR 71.00, governing such uses; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 18
Wetlands Flood Plan
Requires 2/3 Vote
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 220-26 of the Town’s Zoning Bylaw, Floodplain Regulations, for the purposes updating the bylaw to reflect the new Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study and the effective date of such map; or take any action relative thereto.
ARTICLE 19
Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM)
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money, for the expenses related to the development of property located at 220 Old Common Road, inclusive of costs associated with the review of plans or proposals created by the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, said sum to be expended under the direction of the Town Administrator; or take any action related thereto.
(This fund amount was last pegged at $100K)
ARTICLE 20
REPEAL OF CIVIL SERVICE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to petition the General Court for special legislation to remove the Police Department of Lancaster from the provisions of Civil Service, G.L.c. 31 provided, however, that the General Court may make clerical or editorial changes of form only to the bill, unless the Select Board approves amendments to the bill before enactment by the General Court; and provided further that the Select Board is hereby authorized to approve amendments which shall be within the scope of the general public objectives of this petition; or take any action relative thereto. An Act exempting certain positions of the police department in the town of Lancaster from the civil service law.