Selectmen adopt policies and procedures for liquor licenses
The selectmen voted unanimously to adopt a series of policies and procedures for granting liquor licenses to applicants. Selectwoman Lucy Wallace said that until now, the town had no set procedures in place for granting licenses when applications were submitted.
In response to a question from Selectman Tim Clark about whether the new policies were related in any way to the town’s ongoing litigation with Fruitlands, Selectman Bob Eubank acknowledged that “this is an element of the settlement of the town’s dispute with Fruitlands Museum.” Eubank added, however, that the town’s issues with Fruitlands merely highlighted the fact that the town needed “a common policy and procedure for how any entity in the town becomes compliant with the rules and regulations set forth by the town.” The current policies, said Eubank, are part of the effort to make these policies perfectly clear.
At the same meeting, the selectmen also adopted policies and procedures for granting entertainment licenses and licenses for “common victuallers,” meaning any establishment selling food on its premises.
Fiscal impact analysis team to examine structural deficit
Town Administrator Tim Bragan requested permission to assemble a committee to examine the town’s structural deficit. According to Bragan, the town is currently operating at a deficit of approximately $476,000 each year, making future overrides a near certainty.
With this in mind, Bragan plans to assemble a team of residents and experts to look closely at the town’s budget, away from the pressures of the current budget season, in order to examine the “big picture” and to explore options that may decrease the deficit in the future.
Said Bragan, “We need to look at what [the options] are for changing our current direction in order to avoid overrides every year.”
Bragan clarified that while the team’s mission is certainly to look for ways to decrease the deficit, the goal is also to gather more information, adding that “at the very least, people will understand why we have this situation that continues.”
The selectmen voted unanimously to support Bragan in his efforts and commended the town administrator for being willing to take an in-depth look at the issue. Selectman Bob Eubank was hopeful that a look at the “long financial picture” would be “an opportunity to really affect the budget.” He also warned, “This is not a magic pill that will solve our problems overnight. These are going to be tough questions.”
Andrew Perry Appointed to Harvard Ambulance Service
The selectmen voted unanimously to appoint new EMT Andrew Perry to the Harvard Ambulance Service. Perry is the grandson of retired Fire Chief Peter Warren, who was the founding director of the Ambulance Service.
