Board rescinds recent water/sewer rate hike

By Melissa Fales
Turley Publications Reporter

WARE – At the March 3 meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Selectwoman Catherine R. Buelow-Cascio proposed the board rescind its December decision to raise the water rate from $1.50/hundred cubic foot (hcf) to $3.64/hcf and the sewer rate from $1.75/hcf to $3.70/hcf.
Instead, Buelow-Cascio suggested moderate 15 percent increases of $1.73/hcf for water and $2/hcf for sewer.  In addition, she called for the board to create a water rate policy to be reviewed annually. Buelow-Cascio was the only board member to vote against the December rate increases.
Selectman John A. Desmond said he had only voted for what he called “very, very substantial increases” because he was under the impression that the town was facing catastrophic budget cuts.
Selectman Richard Norton was opposed to revising the rates. He said Department of Public Works Superintendent Gilbert St. George-Sorel should have a say in the change. Town Manager Steven C. Boudreau urged the board not to change the rates, saying that the difference between the two rates, approximately $300,000 would “blow a giant hole” into his proposed FY2010 budget. Norton said the town will never catch up to the costs of providing water and sewer services with incremental increases. “The only way to do it is bite the bullet one time,” he said. Buelow-Cascio said the water and sewer rates should remain separate from the budget unless the town votes to approve an enterprise fund for the services.
Desmond called the initial rate increases “a back door Proposition 2 and a half.” He said the tax payers should have the choice at town meeting to raise taxes or reduce services. “Let’s be honest with the people,” Desmond said. The board approved the revised rate increases 4 to 1, effective immediately. Norton was the lone dissenter.

Snow’s Restaurant receives written reprimand

In response to violations of the entertainment license for Snow’s Restaurant, the selectmen voted to include a written reprimand in the permanent file of the establishment’s entertainment license.
The board sought the opinion of town counsel following a Feb. 3 public hearing about a noise complaint about the Pleasant Street establishment the police received at 10:50 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. Snow’s Restaurant’s license states music must not be heard from outside the building and that music can only be played until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Owner Joseph Novitsky said the complaint came during his own private Christmas party. He claimed a previous board told him liquor license regulations did not apply for his own private parties at the establishment. He said he lives in a small upstairs apartment and considers the restaurant an extension of his residence.
Town counsel concurred with the testimony given by Police Chief Dennis M. Healey during the hearing that any event held on the premises falls under entertainment license regulations. The board voted 4 to 1 for a written reprimand, with the assumption that the infraction was the result of a miscommunication between Novitsky and previous board members. Selectwoman Melissa D. Weise suggested that Novitsky learn from this experience, to “always get it in writing.”  Chairman Gerald L. Matta was the sole opposition vote. He cited repeated noise complaints and Novitsky’s uncooperative attitude towards his neighbors and the police as demonstrated at the hearing as a reason to impose a one-month license suspension. Desmond reminded Novitsky that the written reprimand was the first step in a progressive form of discipline and that any further infringements would result in more severe actions.
Novitsky was troubled about possible future violations, saying he had no way to control patrons in his parking lot. The board told him he is responsible for anyone on his property. Novitsky said he had inquired about paying for a police officer to be on site to help enforce the rules, but was told it wasn’t possible. The board encouraged him to check with Chief Healey.

Selectmen adopt inspection fees

At the recommendation of Building Inspector Michael Agnew, the board voted to maintain the town’s current building inspection and certification fees as suggested by the 6th edition of the Massachusetts Building Codes. Agnew explained that the state has just transitioned from the 6th edition of its building codes to the 7th edition. This latest version allows municipalities to adopt their own fee schedule. Agnew recommended against increasing the fees suggested in the 6th edition, which the town has been using for the past few years. Agnew said that they were “acceptable” and reasoned, “People will be getting hit hard enough with everything else.”