BLACKSTONE — On Nov. 8, Blackstone residents will gather to consider 14 articles at a Special Town Meeting.
The first and most consequential article asks voters to consider whether Blackstone should spend $1.5 million for a water meter replacement program, which includes the upgrade of water meter software, installation labor and all related costs.
The Special Town Meeting will convene on Saturday, Nov. 8. at 10 a.m. in the Molony-Sullivan Auditorium at Blackstone-Millville Regional High School.
Article 1: A two-thirds vote is required to pass Article 1, which was submitted by Department of Public Works Superintendent Jimmy Sullivan. The same article was considered, but not approved, at the Annual Town Meeting held in May.
“The largest financial article is Article 1,” said Daniel P. Keefe, Chairman of the Board of Selectman. “We are asking for reconsideration of the proposed water meter replacement program. This article is for $1,500,000 and will be funded from the water/sewer retained earnings account. The retained earnings account is specifically designed for this type of project.”
Blackstone’s current water meter system is more than 20 years old. Most of the technology used to collect water and sewer usage data is now obsolete.
“New water meters will ensure that our water use is reflected accurately and that all are paying their fair share,” Chairman Keefe said. “The new water meter program also has additional benefits for the end user which will be discussed at the meeting.”
The contract will cover the purchase of meters for about 3,000 water customers, as well as the labor to install the meters. The new meters, and accompanying new technology, would include leak detection and connect to a digital dashboard accessible by water customers.
Currently, the types and ages of meters throughout the Town vary greatly. Newer meters are typically more reliable, so water customers with newer meters may be subsidizing customers with older meters.
“A town-wide meter replacement will ensure everyone’s paying their fair share,” said Town Administrator Chad Lovett.
Article 2: Article 2 asks Town Meeting voters to amend a vote taken on Article 11 during the May 28, 2024, Annual Town Meeting regarding a sidewalk reconstruction project.
Voters will be asked to change wording of the original article from “contingent upon the Town receiving a $500,000 Complete Streets grant,” to “contingent upon the Town receiving grant funds.” This change would allow the Town to spend a prior year contingent appropriation of $126,500 for engineering costs for sidewalks on Federal Street by removing the condition that the appropriation be contingent on receipt of a state grant through the Complete Streets Program.
A majority vote is required to pass Article 2, which was submitted by the Blackstone Board of Selectmen.
Article 3: Article 3, submitted by the Town’s Collector/Treasurer, asks voters to consider an alternative procedure for disposing of abandoned funds held in the custody of the Town.
The article, if approved, would accept the provisions of a statute to provide for a more efficient procedure for the Town to dispose of funds held in custody of the Town for uncashed checks. Acceptance of this provision reduces the time required to start the process of deeming the funds abandoned (from three years to one) and allows the Town to retain the funds as general fund revenue after meeting certain notice requirements.
Article 4: This article, submitted by DPW Superintendent Sullivan, requires a two-thirds vote to appropriate $110,000 to fund implementation of the regulatory requirements of the Stormwater Permitting Program, which must be completed yearly. If approved, the article would provide funding for engineering and related services necessary to comply with the requirements of the town’s 2016 Massachusetts General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Small Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 Permit) issued jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Article 5: If approved, Article 5, submitted by the Board of Selectmen, requires a two-thirds vote by Town Meeting to pass, and would permit the Town to purchase a new handicapped accessible 14-passenger van for use by the Blackstone Senior Center. The van will replace one of the Senior Center vans — a 2012 Ford Eldorado with 70,595 miles and not equipped with a lift — that is not handicapped accessible.
Article 6: Submitted by DPW Superintendent Sullivan, this article seeks an amendment to a vote taken on Article 20 from the May 25, 2021, Annual Town Meeting, by changing the words “for the cleaning of 13 sewer pump stations” to “for the cleaning, repair and maintenance of 13 sewer pump stations.” The article would allow the Town to spend the unexpended balance of $72,215 from a prior year appropriation for sewer pump station repair and maintenance.
“Article 2, and Article 6, are previously approved articles that we are asking you to consider amending due to new funding opportunities,” Chairman Keefe said. “There is no need for additional funding. Article 3 is to accept a provision of MGL that allows the Town to retain abandoned funds instead of giving them to the state. Article 4 is a standard storm water article.”
Article 7: Article 7 will consider placing a cap on the number of certain marijuana establishments that may be permitted in Town, and to update the definition of Medical Marijuana Facility for consistency with state law.
“Article 7 is a zoning bylaw amendment which if successful will limit marijuana dispensaries and cultivators to a maximum of three each,” Chairman Keefe said.
Articles 8-12
Articles 8 through 12, all submitted by the Blackstone Board of Selectmen, will settle the Town of Blackstone’s outstanding bills.
“Articles 8-12 are previous year bills, these are bills that were received after the close of the fiscal year and are required to be approved at an annual or special town meeting by law,” Chairman Keefe said. “The total of these articles is just under $6,003.”
Click here to read the full warrant for the Nov. 8 Blackstone Special Town Meeting.
“It is important to note that none of these articles will be funded through real estate or property tax,” Chairman Keefe said. “Again, we encourage all residents to come, engage and make your voices heard.”
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