The Hubbardston Report
February 2020
This Month
Frozen Assets Outhouse has sunk!
Official Sink time: March 4th 2020 at 3:08:15am
Closest guess was from Hubb Town Dinner with March 4th at 8:15:35am winning the $300 gift card
2nd closest guess was from Marie Langevin with March 3rd at 4:10:15 pm winning the $150 gift card
3rd closest guess was from The Galante Family with March 3rd at 3:33:33 pm winning $75 gift card
4th closest guess was Morgan Brinker with March 3rd at 3:33:02 pm winning 1 flat of eggs for 8 weeks courtesy of The Country Hen!
Thank you to our sponsors of Frozen Assets...The Country Hen, Broberg Insurance, JP McCarthy & Sons, Pirner Logging & Land Clearing, Hands Down Massage Therapy, Proulx Family Financial, Handy Lou’s Home Improvement & Greenland Farm.
The Hubbardston Fair is coming!
We are now taking applications from artists, crafters, small businesses and vendors for the fair. Come join the fun! June 27th 10-3 at Curtis Recreational Field. Rain date June 28th.
This Month
The FY21 budget season officially kicked off this month with the publishing of the Town Administrator's Proposed Operating and Capital Budget. This balanced budget proposed a modest 1.44% operating growth, heavily constrained by reduced state and local revenue. Budget highlights include investments in public safety, public works, town employees and economic development. The budget is now in the hands of the Finance Committee for their review and recommendation, followed by the Annual Budget Public Hearing on April 13th.
Capital improvement projects continued their progression this month highlighted by the completion of the low-library roof replacement, the delivery of the new police cruiser and the final steps of the town's IT capital replacement plan. Next month the Town Administrator will assist the DPW with the delivery of the new plow/dump truck and the completion of the fire engine exhaust mitigation procurement.
Planning Assistant Christina Sutcliffe was promoted to Municipal Assistant, combining the offices of planning and assessing into one full-time position. The Assessor's office is now open to the public everyday by popular request. Additionally, Town Clerk Laurie Reed and Executive Assistant Bobbie Thibault completed their probationary time with excellent reviews, further stabilizing the town's full-time staff. Finally, the Police Department continues to work through their hiring process, looking for a new full-time and a new part-time officer to join their professional core.
The Town Administrator recognized many staff members for their hard work in February. Members of the police and fire departments deserve a tremendous thank you for their efforts to locate a missing teenager. This search saw regional cooperation at its finest as our local assets were supplemented with air, ground and volunteer support. Our Town Clerk and election workers also deserve a great deal of recognition for their early voting efforts. This work, paid for by supplemental grants from the state, allows residents to participate in the Presidential Election process early to work around their schedules. More than 100 residents voted early and sample interviews I conducted revealed a great deal of praise for the election staff. And Firefighter/Paramedic Taylor Wilkinson deserves praise for completing her fire services educational work in addition to other fire staff members who supported her and coverage hours during her training.
This Month
We set up our displays for Valentine’s Day and Black History Month and received many positive responses. Story Time is still going strong under the guidance of Miss Michele. Our volunteer Krista is working on creating a local history section for the public which will include the local histories by Stowe and Sullivan, along with regional books, colonial histories and military histories. We anticipate a June reveal date. The Senior Book club is reading “All the Light We Cannot See” to discuss next month. We received a donation of a new reading nook for the children’s room, which has been popular. In March we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,
In February the Department of Public Works continued to keep Hubbardston’s roads safe during this snow and ice winter season. DPW Crews also:
- Brush mowed Brigham Street and Halfrey, Barre, Twin Hill, and New Westminster Roads.
- Ground cut Halfrey Rd., Mt. Jefferson Rd., Mayo Rd. and Hale Rd.
- Opened up our bids for our crack sealing and paving project for FY21. This year’s project will focus on Flagg Road, Hale Road Extension and Mount Jefferson.
Next Month the DPW will continue to open up the site lines and edges of the roads with brush mowing nadand ground cutting and continue to ready the town for the spring season
This Month
Motor Vehicle Excise Commitment #1 for 2020 was mailed February 20th, containing 4,684 bills totaling $529,390.39 in tax revenue for the Town. Also, 96 bills for the final 2019 Motor Vehicle Excise Commitment amounting to $3,471.50 were mailed the same day. Both commitments are due on March 23rd.
The Collector’s office is no longer using a Lockbox because of a large increase in monthly fees. Please mail all payments to Treasurer/Collector, 7 Main St., Unit 10, Hubbardston, MA 01452.
We continued to build tax title accounts in our new software system. This should be completed by the middle of March.
Next Month
Next month we will continue with collecting excise tax. As soon as the tax title accounts have been created in the software system, we will be sending letters to owners of unpaid FY19 Real Estate taxes and begin to prepare to put remaining unpaid properties into tax title.
This Month
The majority of February was spent prepping for the Presidential Primary Election all while processing everyday business to include; census forms, dog license’s, certified vitals, voter registrations and anything else that came into the office. Early voting was held in the office during from February 24th – February 27th. 127 voters were checked with our new “Poll Pad” which helped the check-in process to be more efficient. The “Poll Pad” will also be used for Town Meeting and Town Election.
March started off with the Election held on the 3rd. Although it was my first election, I am happy to report it went great! I want to thank all of my Election Workers and Constables for all their help and support! The remainder of March will be processing census forms, dog licenses and prepping for Town Meeting & Town Election. Nomination papers will be available later this month, be sure to look on our town website and facebook for updates & deadlines. Please remember, dog licenses are due prior to March 31st to avoid late fees. Dog licenses can be paid in office during normal business hours or online.
April we will start our training for our new voting machine which will be used for all elections from Town Election on. I am planning to have our new voting machine on display at our 3rd Annual Board and Committee open house in June prior to Town Meeting.
This Month
February saw officers working shorthanded due to the recent departures of a full time officer and part time officer. We began the arduous task of collecting applications and reviewing, screening and checking backgrounds on applicants to insure they share the ideals of community policing, which is a staple with the Hubbardston Police Department. We hope to complete the hiring process in March.
Sgt. Couture was able to secure a grant for a new prescription medication disposal box for the police department lobby. This box will replace the old one that is outside and the HPD will receive money for placing this box.
In February we had an incident involving a missing autistic teen. In coordination with Hubbardston Fire and area agencies we were able to have a positive outcome and recovered the child. Sgt. Forte, Officer Fontaine and Firefighter Jeremy Goscila were instrumental in the child’s safe return.
Officers made 12 arrests, issued 18 citations, handled 5 accidents and investigated 21 incidents in February.
This Month
At February’s Conservation meeting, the Commission met with the property owners of lots 2&3W Mt Jefferson Road, they presented to the Board their proposed house plans and forestry plans for these lots. After completing a site walk of the lots conservation gave a sign off for the project. The Board met again with North County Land Trust and Open Space committee in regards to the Conservation deed restriction for piece of property on Malone Rd, after reviewing the Conceptual Deed Restriction the Board Voted in favor of the restriction this will now go before the Board of Selectmen and the State for review before coming back to the Concom for a final vote. Board Member Kayla Larson-Dubois attended the annual MACC Conference at the end of the month, we look forward to getting a report back from her at the next conservation meeting.
Spring is right around the corner make sure all your projects are in compliance with Mass DEP wetland regulations. If you think there are wetlands on your property please contact the Conservation Office for an official Request for Determination by one of our Board Members!
This Month
The Board of Assessor’s welcomes our new Administrative Assistant, Christina Sutcliffe. Christina has been with us hardly a week and already things are advancing rapidly. Christina will continue to maintain her position with the Planning Board, while working in the Assessor’s office approximately 12 hours per week.
Real estate abatements are almost completed for this year.
As the warmer weather approaches, inspection of properties that have building permits will begin.
Ongoing assessor’s activities for March, April and May include:
- Building permit inspections and review
- Motor vehicle excise
- Periodic/Cyclical property inspections.
- Assessor admin training provided by RRG staff.
This Month
If it’s February, it’s budget season, and the Finance Committee has begun its series of meetings to plan for the proposed FY 2021 budget. We are facing a unprecedentedly high proposed increase from QRSD - as of February 29 their FY2021 budget proposed a 5.3% overall increase, which translates to double digit assessment increases for the Town and the four other QRSD member towns. We have our work cut out for us: we team with our Town Administrator and BOS to ensure that Town services are maintained and improved, but absent a sizable revenue increase there is currently little room to economize without wholesale cuts to those services. We will have more to say as the budget season unfolds, but we are off to a rough start already.
This Month
In February, the Planning Board Office worked on the following projects:
- There were two Planning Board meetings in the month of January. To see those videos please go here.
- The Planning Board Operational Procedures was completed (to be discussed and voted on in March)
- Collaborated with MRPC with regards to the outstanding Master Plan Chapters in progress (and quoting on future / final chapters).
- The Planning Board Admin became a dual Admin for the Assessor’s Office as well
In addition to these items, the Planning Board Office worked on the other documentation to support Planning Board meetings.
Next Month
The Planning Board Office will continue to work on:
- Continue work on application checklists (towards the end goal of improving efficiency).
- Schedule Planning Board Member training with CTPC regarding Zoning Overlay districts.
- Follow up with Affordable Housing RFP.
- Finalizing warrant articles for the Town Meeting.
This Month
The Building Department continued work with ViewPoint software and the assessor’s office getting the master table of properties uploaded into the software. Admin compiled backdated permit reports for the Assessors office. Building, Electrical, and Plumbing Inspector’s worked close with Evangelical Church to get renovation project moving forward. The Building Department is gearing up for its busy season with spring right around the corner. To expedite any incoming permits please make sure your application is completed in full with all proper approval sign off’s from other municipal departments.The Building Department is looking forward to a busy season of new projects!
The BOH is working closely with the state, MRC, our MAVEN nurse provider, and others to be sure we have a plan for helping any cases of Coronavirus that may occur in our town. We will keep updating the website as pertinent information is available. This week's suggestion: if you take your children to the playground be sure to bring handiwipes to wash their hands after playing on the equipment and before getting back into your automobile.
Second, we have approved a Trash Haulers rules of operation for the town of Hubbardston. We will be emailing and posting it on the website within the week.
*** If your trash hauler does not do a weekly pick-up of trash, or bi-weekly pickup of recyclables, Please call or send the BOH this information. We will need your name, street address, your trash hauler's name,and date when regular did NOT happen. We are going to moniter this much more closely this year, and report this to the companies involved. If it happens too frequently, the BOH will fine the haulers. ***
The Hubbardston Cultural Council is pleased to announce that $5,559.00 has been awarded to area artisans, educators and performers. Funding is provided by the Massachusetts Legislature through the Massachusetts Cultural Council which then allocates funds to each community. There were 27 applications received by the council for grants from which 15 applicants were ultimately chosen.
These events, presentations and performances will be showcased at locations in Hubbardston such as the Senior Center, Hubbardston Public Library, Hubbardston Center School, the annual Hubbardston Fair at Curtis Recreation Field which will be held on June 27th or at the annual Hubbardston Field Day also at Curtis Recreation Field, which will be held this year on September 19th.
Performances will include a magical potter’s wheel, blacksmith demonstration, an evening of pastel painting, dragon balloon twisting, a creative workshop of gizmos and gadgets and other arts and cultural events. For a complete listing of events and venues with dates to be determined, please visit the Hubbardston Cultural Council Facebook page.
Parks will be kicking off Spring with their Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th with a rain date of April 5th. This has been a long-standing Community event coordinated with the local girl scouts. Keep your eyes out for announcements.
Spring soccer and baseball will be starting up with practice as soon as the fields are dry enough to start playing on. With this mild winter they could be in full swing with April 1st.
Keep Hubbardston Beautiful will hold its 2nd annual clean up and recycling day on April 18th at the Curtis Rec field. This year there will be an electronic car exhibit and demonstration.
The Parks Commission has been busy over the winter meeting with playground designers working on a new design to replace the Rainbows End playground and make it ADA compliant. More information will be available soon to the public.
About Us
Email: admin@hubbardstonma.us
Website: www.hubbardstonma.us
Location: 7 Main Street, Hubbardston, MA, USA
Phone: 978-928-1400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TownofHubbardston/
Twitter: @hubbardstonma