Tom
11-02-2008, 11:38 AM
New Library
At Town Meeting Oct. 27, members spoke and voted strongly in favor of the proposed new library at the corner of Stone and School Streets. Their vote is contingent on townspeople's approval of a $7 million override on the Nov. 4 presidential ballot.
Town Meeting members noted that the library has been planning and awaiting its turn for town funding for a decade to replace a building in bad shape, with too little and inappropriately configured space and inadequate parking. Because of the state grant cycle, it will be another decade before the town gets another opportunity if this one fails, TM Rep. Joanne Damish said.
After one member opposed to the project observed that his two children had used the library only five times during their high school years, library Chairman Paul Cesare responded that the WPL has a big following among young children, but loses them as they grow older because it doesn't have the space needed for young adult programs. TM member Ann Marie Kannally said that on a recent visit she found the library crowded, with not enough chairs and tables, and youngsters doing their homework on the floor.
TM member John Spillane said that he can't support the library plan because police and fire facilities need to be taken care of first. Other members responded that the library is ready to go while there's no plan yet for police and fire buildings.
TM member Bernie Goba noted that the current building doesn't come close to meeting accessibility requirements. If somebody sues, the town would face the choice of making it totally accessible or shutting it down, he said.
TM member Patrick Grant said the town can't afford a new library. Library Director Jerry Romelczyk said the first-year tax impact on an average home would be $79, falling to $40 in the 20th and final year.
Other action
CPV appears to have dropped its proposal for a power plant; plans for 198 apartments on the Walpole Woodworkers site are on hold.
The sharp economic downturn that has hit financing for private projects is also cutting into state tax receipts and heightening concern among town officials that voters Nov. 4 will favor a ballot question aimed at repeal of the state income tax.
The town is to cut back spending by three percent in a few weeks because the governor has blocked $750,000 in prison mitigation money, Town Administrator Michael Boynton told the fall Town Meeting Monday night. If voters statewide approve elimination of the state income tax in the Nov. 4 election, town services and schools could lose $8 million a year, according to Boynton.
Fall Town Meeting is to reconvene Nov. 5 to adjust spending.
The housing plans for the Woodworkers property on East Street were referred to briefly by Boynton. They're "on hold," he said.
There was no public mention at all of a retreat by CPV. But information circulating Monday night indicated the company has abandoned its Walpole plan; CPV did not respond to a request for clarification Tuesday. Town meeting voted 105-10 to repeal the "any lawful use" provision of the zoning bylaw under which CPV had intended to seek local approval for the plant.)
Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, told Town Meeting he's working full-time to convince Governor Patrick to restore the $750,000. That money is the only local aid cut in the state, Timilty said, adding there's a reasonable chance the town will get the money back.
But FinCom Chairman Tom Jalkut said he's not optimistic, given what he's been reading about the state's financial shape. The $750,000 is part of the $1.5-billion spending reduction announced last week by Governor Patrick in an effort to keep his budget in balance as required by the state constitution.
Boynton told Town Meeting that Walpole found out about the cut two minutes before Patrick began his presentation. There was "no communication from the administration," he said.
Addressing Town Meeting, Congressman Steve Lynch focused on the economy and the reasons he was among the minority in the House who voted against the $700 billion bailout for the financial services industry.
The taxpayers pay the entire bill ... and Wall Street is asked to contribute zero, he said. "It's very unfair."
Library approved
On a strong voice vote, Town Meeting authorized selectmen to borrow up to $7 million for a new library at Stone and School Streets on the condition that voters approve an override for that amount. The question is on the November ballot.
Library officials said there are $850,000 in pledges toward the $1 million goal for private fundraising and noted the state has approved a $4 million grant for the $12 million project.
Town Meeting also approved funding of three-year contracts for police, DPW and clerical workers, which provide for 2 percent raises this year, and 3 percent in the second and third years. The combined first-year cost of the contracts is $109,000.
At Town Meeting Oct. 27, members spoke and voted strongly in favor of the proposed new library at the corner of Stone and School Streets. Their vote is contingent on townspeople's approval of a $7 million override on the Nov. 4 presidential ballot.
Town Meeting members noted that the library has been planning and awaiting its turn for town funding for a decade to replace a building in bad shape, with too little and inappropriately configured space and inadequate parking. Because of the state grant cycle, it will be another decade before the town gets another opportunity if this one fails, TM Rep. Joanne Damish said.
After one member opposed to the project observed that his two children had used the library only five times during their high school years, library Chairman Paul Cesare responded that the WPL has a big following among young children, but loses them as they grow older because it doesn't have the space needed for young adult programs. TM member Ann Marie Kannally said that on a recent visit she found the library crowded, with not enough chairs and tables, and youngsters doing their homework on the floor.
TM member John Spillane said that he can't support the library plan because police and fire facilities need to be taken care of first. Other members responded that the library is ready to go while there's no plan yet for police and fire buildings.
TM member Bernie Goba noted that the current building doesn't come close to meeting accessibility requirements. If somebody sues, the town would face the choice of making it totally accessible or shutting it down, he said.
TM member Patrick Grant said the town can't afford a new library. Library Director Jerry Romelczyk said the first-year tax impact on an average home would be $79, falling to $40 in the 20th and final year.
Other action
CPV appears to have dropped its proposal for a power plant; plans for 198 apartments on the Walpole Woodworkers site are on hold.
The sharp economic downturn that has hit financing for private projects is also cutting into state tax receipts and heightening concern among town officials that voters Nov. 4 will favor a ballot question aimed at repeal of the state income tax.
The town is to cut back spending by three percent in a few weeks because the governor has blocked $750,000 in prison mitigation money, Town Administrator Michael Boynton told the fall Town Meeting Monday night. If voters statewide approve elimination of the state income tax in the Nov. 4 election, town services and schools could lose $8 million a year, according to Boynton.
Fall Town Meeting is to reconvene Nov. 5 to adjust spending.
The housing plans for the Woodworkers property on East Street were referred to briefly by Boynton. They're "on hold," he said.
There was no public mention at all of a retreat by CPV. But information circulating Monday night indicated the company has abandoned its Walpole plan; CPV did not respond to a request for clarification Tuesday. Town meeting voted 105-10 to repeal the "any lawful use" provision of the zoning bylaw under which CPV had intended to seek local approval for the plant.)
Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, told Town Meeting he's working full-time to convince Governor Patrick to restore the $750,000. That money is the only local aid cut in the state, Timilty said, adding there's a reasonable chance the town will get the money back.
But FinCom Chairman Tom Jalkut said he's not optimistic, given what he's been reading about the state's financial shape. The $750,000 is part of the $1.5-billion spending reduction announced last week by Governor Patrick in an effort to keep his budget in balance as required by the state constitution.
Boynton told Town Meeting that Walpole found out about the cut two minutes before Patrick began his presentation. There was "no communication from the administration," he said.
Addressing Town Meeting, Congressman Steve Lynch focused on the economy and the reasons he was among the minority in the House who voted against the $700 billion bailout for the financial services industry.
The taxpayers pay the entire bill ... and Wall Street is asked to contribute zero, he said. "It's very unfair."
Library approved
On a strong voice vote, Town Meeting authorized selectmen to borrow up to $7 million for a new library at Stone and School Streets on the condition that voters approve an override for that amount. The question is on the November ballot.
Library officials said there are $850,000 in pledges toward the $1 million goal for private fundraising and noted the state has approved a $4 million grant for the $12 million project.
Town Meeting also approved funding of three-year contracts for police, DPW and clerical workers, which provide for 2 percent raises this year, and 3 percent in the second and third years. The combined first-year cost of the contracts is $109,000.