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Another board for North government?
By John Andre
Wed Apr 02, 2008, 12:33 PM EDT
In an attempt to preserve North Attleborough's history, Ann Chapdelaine, historical commission chairman, proposed that the town establish a historical district study committee to evaluate buildings and parcels that might merit being adopted as historical districts.
But selectmen Thursday night approached the request with caution. Selectman John Rhyno said adding this committee would give them "another board to have to go through" in order to get things done.
He echoed the sentiment of Selectman Paul Belham who feels that the rights of residents could be jeopardized if a committee were to dictate what a homeowner can and can't do to his home and property.
"Once you're in, it's hard to get out," Belham said.
Rhyno added that there were residents on both sides of the issue along South Washington Street. He noted areas in the state that have had historical districts adopted, and that homeowners were barred from painting their homes a certain color, then could not afford to repaint according to by-laws. He called the measure too restrictive for homeowners.
Joining Chapdelaine in the discussion was historical commission member Margo Muhl Davis, who said that adopting historical districts would benefit the town because it would give the town a better ability to compete for state funds for preservation.
Chapdelaine said that if a majority of residents were opposed to adopting a district in their neighborhood, then efforts would be halted.
She added that the property owners within their district implement their own rules and by-laws, including what colors a home is permitted to be painted, types of windows and doors and landscaping regulations. People in the district make their own guidelines, she said.
Selectmen agreed to revisit the issue in a month after reviewing what surrounding communities have done.
Chairman William Moffitt said the town may already have a study committee, though there aren't appointees to that board.
In other business before selectmen:
• Town Administrator Mark Fisher said he had attended a meeting in Taunton with GATRA officials and that the transportation company has re-adjusted their cost-cutting measures and will reduce their cuts by half to $80,000.
This is good news to North residents living in the elderly complexes as the previously cut Route 14 might now be integrated with an Attleboro route and offer transportation to grocery stores and the mall as well as service back to North Attleborough. GATRA agreed to changes, Fisher said, and re-routed the line to turn down Chestnut Street and onto Route One toward Stop & Shop as opposed to the line continuing from downtown, along South Washington Street and passing CVS.
• Selectmen closed the warrant for the Special Town Meeting set for May 19.
• A resolution passed last week by the House and Senate provided an adjustment to local budgets, and did not include the casino revenue numbers Governor Deval Patrick had initially formulated. Fisher said it allowed a better measure of the town's budget, and adjusted the previous $1.3 million deficit to a structural deficit of $966,000, and added that the number may change plus or minus $30,000-$40,000. This will allow some departments to get more money, and they too will have to readjust.
• The board appointed Karen Fontneau as Inspector of Animals for the May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2009 term. The duties of the inspector can include barn inspections and animal census.
• North Attleborough Police Officers Chrstiaan Grunwald, Gary Maitland and Scott Weiner received Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) awards.
• The board accepted a donation from Ronald LaBranche of $600 in Stop & Shop gift cards to the Veterans' Department to be given to veterans and their families.
• Selectmen accepted $657 in donations to the Miscellaneous Animal Donations Account.
• It was revealed that the elections commission voted not to use the CTY system to notify voters of Tuesday's impending election per the request of Mark Williamson.
