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Meeting planned for reform discussion
Tue Feb 12, 2008, 04:16 PM EST
The North Attleborough Board of Selectmen announced they will hold another open meeting for residents and town government to continue the discussion of government reform. It will serve as their Monday monthly meeting, and set for 6 p.m. March 10.
The board agreed on three key elements of government reform which they want to be the focus.
A town engineer position has become the number one priority, and issues continue to surface to strengthen the need for a position to whom department heads report.
Town Administrator Mark Fisher has secured 500 pages of documents relating to the Hickory Woods neighborhood. He told the board not to expect a report any time soon, that it's going to take some time to sort through the documents.
He said there was no consistent link between work reports and invoices, and that work hours are recorded but do not have a link to a specific project.
Fisher said the documenting and permitting process is being done differently now.
Catch basins are being raised as well, and Selectman John Rhyno said that residents are “ecstatic” over work being done.
For Rhyno, the haphazard way the documents are maintained adds fuel for the need for a “in charge” position.
Selectman Dale Langille said that regardless of what form of government is put into action, measures are futile if boards don’t begin working together.
• Fisher announced some of the financial aspects of bringing the ‘Afghans’ painting back to town.
Appraisal will cost $5,000, cleaned and shipped for $6,000, $2,000 for placing it in a protective hanging case, and $2,400 for a blind to protect it from the sunlinght if it is to be hung in the police facility.
• A permit was issued for the 8th annual Strut Your Mutt Dog Walk and Fundraiser scheduled for May 3 from 9 to 4 p.m.
The route will begin at North Attleborough Middle School, then down Landry Avenue to the North Attleborough Electric Department and back to the middle school.
The event usually features dog competitions, a DJ, food and plenty of drinking water and shade for the pooches.
• The board appointed Mark Hollowell Acting Director of the Department of Public Works, term to expire May 31, 2008. He replaces Michael Stankovich, who is DPW director in the town Haverhill.
• Selectmen regretfully accepted a letter of resignation from Patti Dinan Wood of the Council on Aging, effectively immediately, forced by a family emergency. Rhyno left an open invitation for her return when matters are resolved.
• The warrant was opened for the Special Town Meeting scheduled for May 19. Articles are to go to the finance committee for recommendations on May 5.
