Budget and Financial Updates: Budget Hearings for the Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed Budget
The agenda for the meeting on March 24th and March 26th can be found here, along with the recording of March 24th and March 26th, and the Budget Book is available here (Digital and printable).
Town Meeting will review and vote on the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget at the Annual Town Meeting on May 21, 2022 at 8:30 AM at the Oak Middle School Auditorium.
You can view the March 24, 2022 Presentation and the March 26, 2022 Presentation here.
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Beal Re-development LDA ApprovedMr. Kevin Mizikar, Town Manager, and staff gave a presentation on the process. They also presented the response to the December 7 public hearing, answers to resident concerns, proposed project options, and the Town Manager recommendation on how to move forward. The Board unanimously voted to enter into and sign an agreement with Civico/Greenly Development based on Option 2 that was presented at this meeting (55 total units, 12.5% affordable units (7 Units of the 50 Units), 7,000 to 8,000 Square feet of Commercial Space, 0.7 Acres of Town Owned Open Space, preserve the World War I Memorial, 136 Parking Spaces (20 Public), $250,000 Sale Price).The full presentation can be found HERE and their statement on the decision can be found HERE. You can also visit https://shrewsburyma.gov/1073/Beal-Reuse-Project for more information. | MBTA New Draft Community Guidelines Overview Mr. Bernard Cahill, Director of Planning and economic Development, reviewed the presentation on the MBTA Community Draft Guidelines. He noted that the purpose of the presentation is to share information regarding the multi-year state-required zoning reforms for multi-family housing in designated “MBTA Communities” and to solicit comments for public feedback to the DHCD. Mr. Cahill discussed the background of the MBTA Communities Legislation, a summary of draft guidelines, anticipated impact on Shrewsbury, impact of noncompliance, important dates, future considerations, and then went through the Board’s questions and comments. He noted that the Public Comments are due by March 31, 2022 to the DHCD. The full presentation can be found HERE. | New Outdoor Dining Rules and Regulations Approved Ms. Las summarized the agenda item for the Board and the history behind the creation of the Outdoor Dining Rules and Regulations and application form. Revisions have been made based on previous comments from the Board. The Board unanimously approved the new Outdoor Dining Rules, Regulations, and application form. The New Outdoor Dining Rules and Regulations and Application Form can be viewed HERE. |
Beal Re-development LDA Approved
Mr. Kevin Mizikar, Town Manager, and staff gave a presentation on the process. They also presented the response to the December 7 public hearing, answers to resident concerns, proposed project options, and the Town Manager recommendation on how to move forward.
The Board unanimously voted to enter into and sign an agreement with Civico/Greenly Development based on Option 2 that was presented at this meeting (55 total units, 12.5% affordable units (7 Units of the 50 Units), 7,000 to 8,000 Square feet of Commercial Space, 0.7 Acres of Town Owned Open Space, preserve the World War I Memorial, 136 Parking Spaces (20 Public), $250,000 Sale Price).The full presentation can be found HERE and their statement on the decision can be found HERE. You can also visit https://shrewsburyma.gov/1073/Beal-Reuse-Project for more information.
MBTA New Draft Community Guidelines Overview
Mr. Cahill discussed the background of the MBTA Communities Legislation, a summary of draft guidelines, anticipated impact on Shrewsbury, impact of noncompliance, important dates, future considerations, and then went through the Board’s questions and comments. He noted that the Public Comments are due by March 31, 2022 to the DHCD.
The full presentation can be found HERE.
New Outdoor Dining Rules and Regulations Approved
The Board unanimously approved the new Outdoor Dining Rules, Regulations, and application form.
The New Outdoor Dining Rules and Regulations and Application Form can be viewed HERE.
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Hexavalent Chromium Piloting RecommendationsThe Town started the pilot testing in September of 2020 – received report in July 2021 and have been reviewing the report. The issue they had with pilot testing is we needed to seed the water with Hexavalent Chromium since a certain level is needed for the piloting and the Town does not meet that level naturally. This is the second time they have done pilot testing for this. They were able to reach 93 and 96 removal Hexavalent Chromium through the biological method and ion exchange method. The recommendation from Jeff Howland, Department of Public Works Director, and Dan Rowley, Water and Sewer Superintendent, is to continue to test on a quarterly basis and if they start to see an uptick in levels then they will come back with another recommendation – they only have 6 years of data and have not seen the number deviate from that. Additionally, with the levels they see in the Town’s Water, only 3.6 parts per billion, the amount that would be spent to on implementing a new water treatment plant is not cost effective. This discussion starts HERE in the recording of the March 22, 2022 meeting. | Community Preservation Committee - Community PlanJason Molina, Chairperson and Debra Mooney, Vice Chairperson, were present to collect feedback from the Board. Mr. Molina refreshed the community and the Board on the Community Preservation Act. Shrewsbury joined 186 other communities in adopting CPA last year. $789,000 contributed this year through tax bills and they will have over $1 million for FY23 for these quality of life projects. The feedback with guide the committee on reviewing project proposals. The Community Preservation Committee is hosting a public forum on March 29, 2022 at the Shrewsbury Public Library at 6:30 PM. Funds can be used for historic preservation, Affordable housing, open space preservation, and recreation. The Board members discussed what they thought were the strengths and needs of the community in these areas. This discussion starts HERE in the recording of the March 22, 2022 meeting. | Intention to Layout Commerce Drive & a Portion of Lake StreetThe Board unanimously voted to set their intention to act on the layout Commerce Drive and a portion of Lake Street on April 12, 2022. The Planning Board will also hold a meeting for their recommendation of this and will appear on the 2022 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. View the Letter for Commerce Drive and the portion of Lake Street HERE. |
Hexavalent Chromium Piloting Recommendations
The Town started the pilot testing in September of 2020 – received report in July 2021 and have been reviewing the report. The issue they had with pilot testing is we needed to seed the water with Hexavalent Chromium since a certain level is needed for the piloting and the Town does not meet that level naturally. This is the second time they have done pilot testing for this. They were able to reach 93 and 96 removal Hexavalent Chromium through the biological method and ion exchange method.
The recommendation from Jeff Howland, Department of Public Works Director, and Dan Rowley, Water and Sewer Superintendent, is to continue to test on a quarterly basis and if they start to see an uptick in levels then they will come back with another recommendation – they only have 6 years of data and have not seen the number deviate from that. Additionally, with the levels they see in the Town’s Water, only 3.6 parts per billion, the amount that would be spent to on implementing a new water treatment plant is not cost effective.
This discussion starts HERE in the recording of the March 22, 2022 meeting.
Community Preservation Committee - Community Plan
Jason Molina, Chairperson and Debra Mooney, Vice Chairperson, were present to collect feedback from the Board.
Mr. Molina refreshed the community and the Board on the Community Preservation Act. Shrewsbury joined 186 other communities in adopting CPA last year. $789,000 contributed this year through tax bills and they will have over $1 million for FY23 for these quality of life projects. The feedback with guide the committee on reviewing project proposals.
The Community Preservation Committee is hosting a public forum on March 29, 2022 at the Shrewsbury Public Library at 6:30 PM.
Funds can be used for historic preservation, Affordable housing, open space preservation, and recreation.
The Board members discussed what they thought were the strengths and needs of the community in these areas.
This discussion starts HERE in the recording of the March 22, 2022 meeting.
Intention to Layout Commerce Drive & a Portion of Lake Street
The Board unanimously voted to set their intention to act on the layout Commerce Drive and a portion of Lake Street on April 12, 2022.
The Planning Board will also hold a meeting for their recommendation of this and will appear on the 2022 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
View the Letter for Commerce Drive and the portion of Lake Street HERE.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
Effective Friday, February 18, 2022, the Town no longer requires face coverings to be worn inside of Town Hall. The Town of Shrewsbury will adhere to the Massachusetts Department of Health’s (MDPH) ongoing Mask Advisory that encourages (but does not require) all residents, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask or face covering in an indoor setting outside of their home.
The Town of Shrewsbury urges residents, taxpayers and others to continue utilizing our online services including paying bills, applying for permits and licenses. If you wish to get in contact with a specific department, please see our staff directory at https://shrewsburyma.gov/Directory.aspx.
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