Department Report
June 2019
This Month
The Town Administrator worked with staff and elected officials to execute the 2019 Annual Town Meeting. Click here to see Town Meeting documents and minutes. The well-attended meeting approved the proposed FY20 budget, invested heavily in town capital projects and passed a Prop 2.5 override to fund road maintenance and repair (this measure failed at the annual town election resulting in no related change to FY20 taxes). .
Despite approval of the FY20 budget, voters rejected the annual Quabbin Regional School District assessment resulting in a delay of FY20 final budget numbers. Two other Quabbin towns also lowered the school's certified assessment, resulting in a rejection of the district budget as a whole. The rejection means the state orders a temporary budget to be addressed by the QRSD School Committee in July. If the School Committee changes their budget, Hubbardston will need to again vote the FY20 budget at a Special Town Meeting in August.
Roof repair continued to be an executive focus in June with the completion of the Hubbardston Library Roof project and a welcomed invitation for the Hubbardston Center School Roof Project to participate in the Massachusetts School Building Authority's (MSBA) accelerated repair program. Town voters will have a chance to fund this large, but necessary project and gain the benefit of 59% reimbursement from the state (MSBA).
The Finance Team received draft copies of the FY18 external audit from Scanlon and Associates. The final audit documents revealed no material weaknesses in Hubbardston's financial operations. Final copies of the audit will be made available in July.
The Town Administrator attended the 2nd Annual Board and Committee Open House prior to Town Meeting. This event allowed residents to ask questions about volunteering in the community on various boards and resulted in a couple appointments. Additionally, the Town Administrator and his family attended the Hubbardston Fair, a massive success made possible by our Special Events coordinator. Both events demonstrated the aspects of Hubbardston that make it special - community and volunteerism. Both Laurie Reed (open house) and Katie Young (Hubbardston Fair) deserve public praise for their efforts in making these events so successful.
Next Month
The Executive Office will focus on financial matters, continuing to work on the FY20 budget and working with the finance team to close FY19, start FY20 and implement new accounting procedures and software.
This Month
The Hubbardston Public Library is thrilled to report the roof is done! The scaffolding is down and all the parking spaces are available once again. We want to thank the residents of Hubbardston, the Hubbardston CPA, and Senator Anne Gobi for all their help in making our new roof a reality. We interviewed candidates for the Assistant Librarian position. We are pleased to inform you that Gabi Walker has accepted the position. She will begin in July. Story Time will resume July 10, 2019 with Michele Colebrook at the helm.
Town resident John Goulet donated ten new books on Math and Science to the Library this month. These books are an excellent addition to our collection.
DPW crews finished cleaning drainage areas on Morgan, High Bridge and Underwood Roads to prepare for this year's Chapter 90 paving project. This project is set to begin in late July.
Director Travis Brown opened Materials Bids for FY2020 and recommended award winners.
Crews also started cleaning drainage on parts of Mt. Jefferson Road, Hale Road Extension and Flagg Road with culvert work in preparation for paving projects in the summer of 2021.
Members of the DPW participated in Field Day, allowing residents to experience the big trucks and take pictures!
Next Month
Crews will continue work on Flagg Road, Hale Road Extension, Mt. Jefferson Road and parts of Williamsville Road.
The paving project for Morgan, High Bridge and Underwood Roads will begin.
The DPW also plans to add pea stone at the Curtis Field playground.
This Month
June is always a busy month in this office, but this year has been exceptionally busy! Lots of changes going on!
The conversion to VADAR tax software has gone extremely quickly and smoothly! We were trained on this new system in mid-June are finding the new software much more user-friendly and the VADAR staff extremely accommodating.
Once the tax conversion was completed, we were able to prepare and print FY20 preliminary tax bills. Becky Gosse and Pat Woodward of our Senior Workoff program folded and enveloped all the bills and they were mailed on Thursday, June 27th. The first quarter bills are due on August 1st.
Lots of preparations for the new fiscal year have also taken place this month.
Next Month
The Treasurer and Accountant will have their software conversions completed, and will receive training this month.
This Month
The Board of Health continued to serve the public in the month of June by processing the following: local permits, vendor permits, incoming emails and telephone requests. The Town Fair Vendors were all inspected with no violations.
Our Intern Jess has been working on organizing the new packets to be included in the renewal letters to be mailed in the fall. The Board of Health continues to meet monthly with the Building Department and have come up with a checklist to insure anyone needing an occupancy permit has everything they need.
Next Month
We will continue to broaden Jess’ knowledge of Public Health. Work on adding many new items to the Town Website and start our busy season with Septic’s.
This Month
It has picked up for the Conservation Commission this month as the building sales have started.
Next Month:
We will continue with site visits and maintaining the integrity of our wetlands.
This Month
June was a busy month for the Town Clerks office. On June 27th Joyce Green officially retired after 13 years. Laurie Reed, the soon to be new Town Clerk trained side by side with Joyce during the remainder of her employment. Although the office was changing hands, the residents received the same level of service with 2 faces instead of 1.
Dog citations were mailed by Animal Control on June 17th to all residents who failed to register their dogs. 2 marriage licenses were issued, 2 births were recorded and 2 deaths were processed. Kelly Parker is continuing to serve as the Assistant Town Clerk and attended a mentoring class on June 25th called “New Clerk Potpourri”.
Next Month
July is expected to be an exciting month as Laurie will assume the Town Clerk position effective July 1st. Laurie will be continuing to attend classes to further her education and work towards her certification.
This Month
June saw increases in many aspects of policing. The HPD stepped up traffic enforcement and consequently had more arrests. Details continue to be in abundance and officers are maintaining the safety of the motoring public.
School has ended and we wish the kids a great and safe summer. We will be there in August to continue to keep them safe.
District Attorney Joe Early came in and presented a check to us for $2000.00 to purchase Narcan, which is a life saving drug. Thanks to DA Early and his staff.
In June officers made 19 arrests, issued 37 citations, handled 3 accidents and investigated 32 incidents.
This Month
Members drilled on VES, which stands for Vent Enter Search. In this scenario firefighters threw a 24’ ground ladder to a second floor window, entered it, searched the room in limited visibility and removed a “victim”.
Calls:
Total Calls 44
Fire 6 EMS 32 Public Service 5 Haz-Mat 0 MVA 1
Inspections:
3 Residential Smoke/CO
Staffing:
1 Fire Chief/Paramedic
2 Full time Firefighter/Paramedics
2 Full time Firefighter/EMT
2 Call Firefighter/Paramedics
5 Call Firefighter/EMT
2 Pier Diem Firefighter/Paramedics
1 Call EMT
1 Call Firefighters
16 Totals
Building Department
This Month
Summer is here, and the building department is buzzing with work. We’ve seen many new building projects this month, though many of them are small jobs; such as window replacements and insulation jobs, but we have a few new additions and garages going up.
As usual people are browsing Zillow which creates a lot of calls to the building department regarding buildable lots.
I scheduled 27 inspections for Building/Plumbing and Electrical inspectors.
A total of nineteen (19) building permits were issued for June, sixteen (16) permits were for home renovations, sliding door replacements, window replacements and a couple of pool installations. Three 3 additional permits were issued for accessory buildings, additions and woodstoves.
We collected fees of $1791 in building permit fees. All nineteen (19) jobs together valued at $250,233.00
Other permits issued:
· 7 Residential Electric Permits (Fees=$835)
· 1 Gas Permits - (Fees=$108)
· 5 Plumbing Permits - (Fees= $525)
Total of 32 Permits Issued for June 2019, with a total of permit values for June = $253,233.00 (Fees collected= $3,259.00)
This Month
The search for an Assessor Administrative Assistant has begun, while Bobbie Thibeault continues with temporary assistance.
The new Vision 8 Assessor’s software is in full use. On line training continues, and a full day of training at the Vision facility in Hudson Mass was attended by the assessor’s.
The end of FY2019 brings a close to new growth revenue obtained from building permits in town. The actual growth numbers appear to be very close to the original forecast amounts. There still are, however, many construction projects in progress that will be tabulated for FY2020 growth revenue.
The process of revaluation certification, overseen by the Mass Department of Revenue is well underway, and will continue over the next few months.
Ongoing assessor’s activities include:
- Building permit inspections
- Sales ratio review
- Motor vehicle excise
- Assisting with efforts for Department of Revenue revaluation certification
Recycling Center
This Month
We are looking into new dumpsters and electrical work at the Recycling Center. Bella has reported $152.00 in fees for June.
Next Month
We will be getting the Electrical work done.
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