TownCrier · Middleboro

Civic briefs from the public record. Not affiliated with the Town.

Upcoming Action
Jun 11
Finance Committee: Proposed Finance Committee meeting to discuss the Special Town Meeting.
Jun 11
Board of Selectmen: Council on Aging closed for senior visit to Historical Society
Jun 16
Select Board: Special Town Meeting at 7:00 PM at the High School to address financial matters.
Jun 16
Conservation Commission: Pre-bid site visit for Stony Brook Dam construction project at Pratt Farm.
Jun 16
Finance Committee: Special Town Meeting.
Jun 8 · 139 min

Select Board

  • Special Town Meeting on June 16th to address financial items, requires 150 attendees.
  • Firefighters' cancer screening MOA approved, including $5,000 annual reimbursement for co-pays and 48 paid shifts.
  • Health Director position to be posted, with Gail Blake appointed as interim director.
Jun 4 · 76 min

Conservation Commission

  • Stony Brook Dam construction bids will open June 30th; a site visit is June 16th.
  • A Neg 5 determination was approved for 389 Wareham Street's public well project.
  • The Conservation Commission budget and Stony Brook Dam capital plan were approved at Town Meeting.
Jun 2 · 110 min

Planning Board

  • Leanne Bradley appointed as new Town Planner, effective July 1st.
  • Two major development hearings, Grace Estates and Fallbrook Estates, continued to July 7th.
  • Board plans to explore zoning articles for data centers and battery storage facilities.
Jun 1 · 36 min

Select Board

  • Town Meeting reviewed crucial articles for June 1st, including a new Battery Storage System zoning bylaw and a $110,000 land purchase.
  • The FY2027 budget was approved, adding $81,000 for an additional firefighter and increased public safety insurance.
  • A road opening permit for 54 Gridley Road was approved for water connection to new construction.
May 28 · 73 min

Zoning Board of Appeals

  • Special permit approved for a new ground-mounted solar energy facility off Wall Street.
  • Middleboro will receive a separate $244,152 bond for decommissioning the solar facility, protecting town finances.
  • Comprehensive fire safety plans and training are required for the Middleboro Fire Department.
May 28 · 77 min

Finance Committee

  • Finance Committee recommended a forensic audit of town finances (3-2 vote).
  • A $3.4 million structural deficit for FY27 was confirmed, leading to job losses and service cuts.
  • Special Town Meeting is scheduled for June 16th; a Finance Committee meeting is proposed for June 11th.
May 27 · 88 min

Community Informational Meeting

  • A $26.5 million library/Council on Aging building is proposed; Freetown's share is $7.5 million due to a $10 million grant and $9.5 million town savings.
  • The project requires two 'yes' votes: at the Annual Town Meeting on June 1st and a Special Election on June 8th.
  • Property tax impact is estimated at $102 per year for a median-valued home, declining over 20 years, starting in FY29.
May 21 · 93 min

Conservation Commission

  • Amphibian relocation for Campus 44 approved; N series wetland to be certified.
  • Enforcement Order for 18 Cawan Drive approved to fix debris/fill issues.
  • Site visit for 389 Wareham Street on June 3rd, 5:30 PM, for well replacement project.
May 19 · 47 min

Freetown Board of Selectmen

  • Residents will vote on the new library and Council on Aging project at the June 1st Town Meeting.
  • The new library and Council on Aging project secured nearly $10 million in federal grant funding.
  • School roof repairs were approved and will commence soon to prevent leaks.
May 18 · 155 min

Select Board

  • Special Town Meeting on June 16th will address over $1 million in budget transfers for past fiscal year items.
  • Consultants chosen for Town Manager search; public input sessions and anonymous comments are planned.
  • Select Board approved consolidating three polling locations to save an estimated $20,777 annually.
May 18 · 69 min

Finance Committee

  • Special Town Meeting rescheduled to June 16th due to publication rules.
  • Town approved $62 million for a new water treatment plant to address PFAS and other contaminants.
  • A resident raised concerns about a past PFAS settlement, suggesting it might be invalid and could reopen multi-million dollar claims.
May 18 · 64 min

Board of Selectmen

  • Board approved over $10,000 in roadway material contracts for FY27.
  • IT support contract approved with Natural Spec LLC at $140/hour; 45-day termination notice now required.
  • Fire Station 3 roof repair approved; $500k Elementary School roof repair to proceed immediately, not wait for grants.
May 14 · 185 min

Zoning Board of Appeals

  • Solar facility decision delayed to May 28th for bond details and abutter fencing.
  • Hobby kennel approved with specific dog waste disposal rule.
  • New baseball training facility and contractor bays approved with 6 handicap parking spaces and fire safety conditions.
May 11 · 189 min

Select Board

  • Four Middleboro police officers will be laid off starting July 1st, with a 10-year callback right.
  • Town Meeting will vote on a $109.4 million FY27 budget and significant water infrastructure, including a $62 million PFAS treatment plant.
  • A ban on virtual currency kiosks (Bitcoin ATMs) is proposed due to widespread fraud targeting residents, requiring a 2/3 Town Meeting vote.
May 11 · 7 min

Finance Committee

  • Finance Committee delays full budget discussion.
  • Next meeting on Monday, May 18th, for budget and warrant article review.
  • Submit budget questions to Jessica by Wednesday, May 13th.
May 7 · 178 min

Conservation Commission

  • Conservation Commission accepts conservation restriction on Off Plain Street subdivision; restriction will be recorded in individual property deeds.
  • Container park at 480 Wareham Street approved, providing 12 new parking spaces and commercial opportunities for small businesses.
  • Full Moon Hike permit approved for May 18th at 5:30 PM, after previous event was fully booked within three hours.
May 7 · 46 min

Finance Committee

  • Fire Department received $32,500 for Tower One truck repair, awarded to local company Fleet Maintenance.
  • Committee discussed improving budget oversight, including quarterly updates from Finance Director and better revenue forecasting.
  • Debate on switching property tax billing from semi-annual to quarterly, weighing cash flow benefits against administrative costs.
May 5 · 70 min

Planning Board

  • Planning Board fees increased by 20%, effective May 6th, impacting developers.
  • Town's general fund to receive $363,000 from Planning Board's revolving account.
  • Unused $4 million in old project accounts requires legal action for resolution.
May 4 · 193 min

Select Board

  • Middleboro faces a $3.375 million budget shortfall, resulting in 19 layoffs and deep cuts across town departments.
  • The Police, Fire, Health, Planning, Media, and Facilities departments are significantly impacted, with some positions and services eliminated.
  • Public lands maintenance is a major concern with the layoff of the Land Manager and cuts to the Conservation Commission.
May 4 · 9 min

Finance Committee

  • Next Finance Committee meeting on May 7th to review FY27 budget.
  • Town's budget discussions will continue for the next 2-3 weeks on Mondays and Thursdays.
  • Attorney General's guidance provided on Open Meeting Law requirements for minutes and executive sessions.
May 4 · 102 min

Board of Selectmen

  • Annual Town Meeting is June 1st, Special Town Election June 8th; warrants approved.
  • Retiree health insurance changes for future retirees, aiming for long-term budget savings.
  • Major roadway issues near MBTA tracks on Route 79 require town letter for repairs.
Apr 23 · 67 min

Plymouth County Commissioners

  • Hanover residents initiated a non-binding petition to explore leaving county government; Commissioners will discuss how to respond.
  • Plymouth County expects a $150,000 payment for extending a development lease on a 100-acre Plymouth property, which proposes housing, a hotel, and sports facilities.
  • The county reported a $1.5 million budget surplus over the past two years, sparking debate among commissioners over involving outside experts in future budget reviews.
Apr 13 · 65 min

Select Board

  • Town approves $210,000 land purchase for well protection, requires June 1st Town Meeting vote.
  • Middleboro faces $3.3 million budget shortfall, leading to potential layoffs; specific audit scope sought.
  • Mandatory summer water restrictions begin May 1st for all town water users.