Fruitlands and Friendly Crossways receive common victualler licenses
The selectmen voted to grant common victualler licenses to Fruitlands and Friendly Crossways. Speaking on behalf of Fruitlands, Tim Firment of West Bare Hill Road explained that Fruitlands currently leases its kitchens to a single caterer, Seasonal Specialties, which provides food for the tea room on the site. The common victualler license allows Fruitlands to continue daily food service to guests during its regular season between mid-April and the end of October, as well as food service for special functions throughout the year.
Mary Vesenka Turner, owner of Friendly Crossways on Littleton County Road, spoke on behalf of her organization, explaining that as a hostel and retreat center, Friendly Crossways currently has a residential kitchen license from the Board of Health. The common victualler license allows food preparation on site by Turner as well as by guests staying at the site.
Selectmen to consider mutual aid agreement for public health
The selectmen heard from Ken Gikas, program consultant for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coalition, who spoke about the town’s opportunity to sign a mutual aid agreement among local public health agencies. This nonbinding agreement links communities in Central Massachusetts and establishes a protocol for having local boards of health and emergency caregivers coordinate efforts in the event of a catastrophic health-related emergency. The selectmen plan to have Town Counsel Mark Lanza review the document before signing it. Currently, approximately 40 out of 74 local communities have signed the agreement.
Selectmen opt to stick with single tax rate
The selectmen met with Town Assessor Angie Marrama to discuss tax classifications for the coming fiscal year. Following Marrama’s recommendations, the selectmen voted no on three questions.
First, the selectmen voted against a shift in residential tax exemptions, whereby homes with lower values would pay property taxes at a lower rate than homes with greater values.
The selectmen also voted against an exemption for small commercial businesses, in which the tax burden would be shifted from small businesses to larger industrial and commercial properties. In this case, Marrama suggested that given the commercial base in town is less than 5 percent of the total percent of value, this would not constitute a meaningful difference. Further, it might serve as a deterrent for larger businesses should the town want to encourage more commercial development further down the line.
Finally, the selectmen voted against a split tax rate, opting to maintain a single tax rate in town.
Christmas tree signs approved
The selectmen voted to allow Ken Harrod to erect a sign in front of his home on Fairbank Street, advertising the sale of Christmas trees on his property in Shirley.
Park Lane to receive ‘Neighborhood Watch’ sign
The selectmen voted to approve the installation of a “Neighborhood Watch” sign at the entrance to Park Lane, to be overseen by Department of Public Works Director Rich Nota. Park Lane residents submitted their request in response to a recent break-in on the street.
Call for volunteers for new Capital Committee
Board of Selectmen Chairman Leo Blair invited all town residents to consider applying for the new Capital Committee, whose charge will be to plan for the town’s capital expenses in a structured way. Blair explained that the members of this new committee would work together to create “a capital plan that will look to the future, allowing us to plan for and prioritize…using a proactive rather than reactive approach.” Interested citizens should contact Town Administrator Tim Bragan.
Committee appointments
The selectmen appointed John Ball of Oak Hill Road to the Cable Committee to take the place of Brint Ferguson, and they appointed Eric Stoltzfus to replace Peter Brooks as the Devens Enterprise Commission alternate member.
