Annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending...

2009·34.8 MB·English

by  West Bridgewater (Mass. : Town)

WEST BRIDGEWATER PUBUC LIBRARY
HOWARD
80 ST.
WEST BRiDQEWATER. MA 02379

Observing the 60^*" Anniversary ofthefire at
Howard High School, March 21, 1949
The Drury Bell Courtesy ofRich Morgan Photography
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
AND COMMITTEES OF THE
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER
2009
31,
t4_
THE TOWN REPORT
2009
IS DEDICATED IN MEMORY OF
MICHAEL FERESTEN
DEVOTED TO THE WBYAA
W. BRIDGEWATER'S FIRST SOCCER COACH
EMERGENCY FUND SUPPORTER
This town report is also dedicated to all
Town Employees, past and present,
who Town
continue to serve the of
West Bridgewater with dedication and pride.
INDEX
ADACompliance Committee 108
Animal Inspector 91
Appeals (Board oO 103
Assessors (Board oO 101
Brockton Area ARC 109
Building Inspector 92
Cable TV Advisory Committee 75
.-
Community Preservation Committee 99
Conservation Commission 96
Council on Aging 93
CWRMP
107
DCPR 98
Elected andTown Officials 8
Fire Department 76
Forestry and Parks Department 85
Health (Board oO 89
Highway Department 87
Historical Commission 100
Network Administration 95
Old Colony Planning Council 110
Partners Home Health Care 112
Planning Board 102
Plymouth County Cooperative Extension Trustees (Board of) Ill
Plymouth County Mosquito Control 114
Police:
Police Department 78
Animal Control 81
Public Library:
Director 72
LibraryTrustees 74
School Department:
School Committee 56
Superintendent 57
Howard School Principal 64
Rose L. MacDonald School and Spring St. Early Learning Center
Principal 66
Middle/Senior High Principal 62
DirectorofSpecial Education 60
Spring Street School Principal 68
Sealer ofWeights and Measures 105
Selectmen (Board of) ... 1
SelfHelp, Inc 113
Southeastern Regional District School Committee 70
Southeastern Regional Services Group 104
Tax Collector 3
Town Accountant 49
Town Clerk:
Annual Town Election 28
Annual Town Meeting 31
License and Permit Fees 19
Special Town Meeting (Jan) 20
Special Town Meeting (June) 43
Special State Primary Election 47
Town
Statistics 7
Treasurer 5
Veterans' Services Officer 94
WaterCommission 82
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
he Board ofSelectmen hereby submits its 188 Annual Town Report.
2009, Jerry D. Lawrence was re-elected for his 2"*^ term on the Board ofSelectmen. Under
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organization Matthew P. Albanese was elected Chairman; Eldon F. Moreira, Clerk; and Jerry D.
awrence, Member.
espite nationwide financial hardships, the Town welcomed many new businesses during 2009,
icluding Niko's Pizza, CPS Rentals, Garabaldi's, North Elm Express Lube Service Center, Pack Rats,
alma Motors, and Stop and Save Convenience Store. To further promote new businesses, the
3lectmen readied the Town for biotechnology companies by beginning the process ofchanging
oning By-Laws and securing a rating through the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. The Town,
;grettably, said goodbye to the West Bridgewater Times which closed due to economic constraints.
official interveners, the Selectmen are unanimously opposed to the Brockton Power Plant and
.s
jntinue to combat the project. The Town, along with the City ofBrockton, filed an appeal to the
nergy Facilities Siting Board decision made in July that approved a license for the power plant
ibject to local approval. Selectman Albanese remains Chairman ofthe Brockton Power Plant
egional Task Force, which is comprised ofSelectmen ofvarious local municipalities and meets every
ther month to understand the impact ofsuch a plant to the surrounding community. The Task Force
as begun drafting legislation that would place a statewide moratorium on power plants.
addition to the power plant, the Selectmen have worked tirelessly with the State Legislative
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)elegation on many other initiatives relative to casino mitigation, red-light photo enforcement to curb
peeding, anti-cyber bullying legislation, and preservation ofthe rent control statute. The Board and
tate Delegation, along with Forestry and Parks Superintendent Christopher lannitelli also celebrated
le opening ofthe new soccer field after two years ofsecuring ftmding and construction. Additionally,
nth. the assistance ofSuperintendent lannitelli, the Town received a grant from the Massachusetts
listorical Commission for the engineering ofstructural repairs for War Memorial Park.
lie Board also worked with the Cable Television Advisory Committee to negotiate a new, 30-year
ontract with Comcast Cable. The contract provides the Town with additional funds that will help pay
Or updated audio and video equipment and a new cable studio at the Middle/Senior High School. The
ioard endorsed the Historical Commission's endeavor ofthe West Bridgewater Museum that will be
Dcated behind Town Hall in the original Fire Station. Selectmen Albanese launched the Ethics By-
>aw Study Committee which drafted a by-law to be adopted at a Town Meeting. The by-law would
Realize the state's Conflict ofInterest law. The Selectmen commend all the volunteers on our Boards
nd Commissions for their hard work, dedication and many contributions to the Town.
n an effort to increase communication with the residents, the Board began sending periodic
lewsletters via email to quickly and effectively disseminate information pertinent to Selectmen
•usiness and, to notify residents ofan emergency. By December 3 nine such news-laden emails have
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)een sent. Residents are encouraged to sign up through the Selectmen's Office.
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Under the guidance ofSelectmen Lawrence and in conjunction with Confidential Secretary Mallor
Cole as recycling coordinator, the Town began a successful paper-recycling program in July that he
generated over $1,000 injust six months ofoperation. Working with AbitibiBowater, the Town sor
paper waste at the Transfer Station and receives money from the company per ton ofpaper. The
measure saves the Town costly hauling and disposal fees. The Board thanks all residents for compl;
with this policy and helping West Bridgewater to be more environmentally friendly.
Throughout 2009, the Board actively maintained and repaired the Town's infrastructure and roadwj
The Selectmen worked with Representative Christine Csinavan and State Senator BrianJoyce in
securing three traffic signals onto the Transportation Improvement Project list in preparation of
obtaining funding from the state. Selectman Moreira continued collaborating with the Highway
Department, Old Colony Planning Council, and MassHighway to reconfigure the Center ofTown.
Selectmen Moreira also closely monitored the Scotland Street Bridge repairs as well as the
reconstruction ofManley Street, which re-opened after much anticipation. Other planned projects
include the widening ofRoute 106, installation ofsidewalks on South Street and reconfiguration of
intersection at Belmont and Plain Streets.
During this past year, the Selectmen, as the appointing authority, welcomed Ms. Gloria Hopkins as
Assistant to the Veterans' Agent, and, in conjunction with the Library Board ofTrustees, appointed
Ms. Sona Hosington to fill a position left vacant by the resignation ofGeorge Hardiman. The
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Selectmen also welcomed three Permanent Intermittent Police Officers to the Police Department:
Jonathan Craven, Mr. John Cupoli, and Mr. Dean Hardy. The Board conditionally appointed Mr. Se
Devilly as a fourth Permanent Intermittent Police Officer as he is currently serving his country in Ir
In late June, the Board ofSelectmen celebrated the retirement oflongtime employee Joan McAndre
who retired as the Police Chiefs secretary.
The Selectmen, once again, wish to commend our Administrator, Beth Faricy. As our liaison to the
community and the many employees, boards and commissions that serve the Town, she has the
responsibility ofgetting our votes and messages out to meet the needs and wishes ofthis Board.
We
wish also to thank our Confidential Secretary, Mallory Cole, and Assistant Confidential Secretar
Jacqueline Flaherty, for their hard work and dedication. They show compassion and helpfulness to
those who enter through our doors.
Respectftilly submitted,
Matthew P. Albanese, Chairman
Eldon F. Moreira, Clerk
Jerry D. Lawrence, Member
To contact our office by e-mail:
Administrator Faricy [email protected]
Mallory Cole, Confidential Secretary, [email protected]
Jacqueline Flaherty, Assistant Conildential Secretary, [email protected]
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Selectman Matthew Albanese, [email protected]
Selectman Jerry Lawrence, ilawr9985 @,aol.com
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