Northboro News Discussions

Northboro News Discussions » Recent Topics http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ It's all about town! en-US Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:55:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/search.php soul.salem on "Take It or Leave It Day - Nbro" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/13#post-20 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:04:50 +0000 soul.salem 20@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ Hi, So I was wondering when the town is going to hold its annual Take It or Leave It Day. Theres been no recent news about it and if I recall correctly, they held it in the beginning of April last year. Kim on "Tea Party Announcement" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/12#post-19 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:57:25 +0000 Kim 19@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ “Elections 2010” Kick-off – Candidates’ Night Northborough, MA (March 23, 2010) – The momentum of Scott Brown’s historic victory has set the stage for a dramatic change in the Massachusetts political landscape. To facilitate that momentum, the Northborough Tea Party has scheduled its first “Elections 2010” – Candidates’ Night for Monday, March 29th, 7:00 p.m. at the Northborough Free Library. Four candidates will present their political views and respond to attendee questions. Three of the candidates will be challenging Congressman James McGovern (D) for the Third Congressional District seat: Robert J. Chipman (R), Robert A. Delle (R) and Michael Stopa (R). James F. Gettens (R) is running for the Twelfth Worcester District seat currently held by incumbent State Rep. Harold Naughton, Jr. (D). The meeting is open to the general public, residents of surrounding towns, and the press. Admission is free. Kim on "Single Stream Trash Talk" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/11#post-18 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:43:41 +0000 Kim 18@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ February 25, 2010 Dear Northborough Selectmen, Enclosed is a copy of the SWAC Committee Report that was to be given to the Board of Selectmen at the February 22, 2010 Selectmen meeting. This committee was formed in 2007 and gave a report in 2008 after a lot of research and visits to site and trash companies. It was our recommendation that the town of Northborough use the Single Stream Program. The present contractor has been increasing his price at 2 ½ percent per year and losing residents to Tidy Town. Times are hard for the residents. The contractors are giving good prices now if you put it our to Bid as soon as possible. The chairman stated it was asked if there was enough time to go Single Stream for July 2010. The committee stated there was time and felt it is important to get it going right now. It is sad that we have been working on the for four years, starting in 2007, 08 and 2010. We have not moved in any direction since then. It is a result of lack of leadership by the Chairman of the Committee and the Board of Selectmen for not acting on SWAC recommendations. The BOS are the elected Stewards for the citizens of Northborough and it is their duty to get them the BEST BANG FOR THEIR TAX DOLLAR. Howie Stone SWAC Meeting 2-17-10 Northboro SWAC met Wednesday evening Feb. 17th to discuss the reported start-up of Auburn’s Single Stream Program. The committee felt that they were shortchanging Northboro residents by not again recommending this type of program. We reached agreement to recommend to the Board of Selectmen the following: 1 Consider option 3 - a flat fee plus reduced bag fee( fill in the particulars) or 2 A flat fee without any bags. In addition to these, or whatever option the BOS selects, instruct the Town Administrator and the Town Engineer to immediately seek quotes for a Single Stream System. At least two sources to be approached. Quotes to be in hand, within two weeks, so that a decision can be made regarding the current contractor. This program is to be in place ASAP, starting on July 1, 2010 if possible. With a January 1, 2011 or July 2011 as a fall back position. Availability of equipment and toters expected to be the controlling factors. Details of the program to be worked out, but the combination of 96 gal/ 64 gal and 35 gal / 35 gal to be included. The suggested duration of the contract to be 5 years, with the cost of the toters to be factored into the program. Kim on "NORTHBOROUGH NEEDS A DOG PARK" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/10#post-17 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:28:58 +0000 Kim 17@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ by Betty Tetreault Communities that have a leash law should also provide an area where dogs can run and play, canine style, in a safe environment. It is neglectful and abusive to confine a dog at all times and is apt to create a mean and aggressive animal. Some people are able to walk for miles with their leashed dogs to expend their pent up energy, but what about those who cannot walk very far? The physical and mental benefits of dog ownership are clear, and for many single and elderly people, a dog offers great companionship and security. A balanced approach to accomodating dog owners in a public place would achieve higher colmpliance to relevant laws. When dog owners perceive the leash law to be unfair it may elicit a derfiant, rather than a compliant response, ignoring the law in protest. Designated areas where dogs can run and play off-leash would not only be beneficial to the dog owners, but to the community as well. All who are interested in ths subject are encouraged to attend the Selectmen's meeting on Monday, February 22nd, 7:00 pm when a proposal for a dog park will be brought to the selectmen for their approval. Kim on "Property Tax Valuation" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/9#post-16 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:56:20 +0000 Kim 16@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ AUTHOR OF LETTER: William C. Jeas <a href="mailto:billjeas@sprintmail.com">billjeas@sprintmail.com</a> 18 Jan. LETTER ADDRESSED TO & SENT TO: Navjeet Bal, Commissioner Mass. Dept of Revenue 100 Cambridge Street P.O. Box 9494 Boston, MA 02114 Dear DOR Commissioner Bal, Subject: What’s Gone Wrong With Northboro’s FY10 Residential Property Valuations – Send State Help I am a residential property owner in Northboro. Our fellow town homeowners have been recently informed on the 3-year Re-Valuations of the townМs residential properties. We have a problem! INTRODUCTION TO NORTHBORO’s UNFAIR PROPERTY VALUATIONS: All across the Nation and in our State, residential Property Values have been uniformly and consistently plummeting downwards, the largest and longest-ever epoch of massive falloffs in Housing Prices in AmericaМs modern history…it is unprecedented. However, in Northboro the Assessor’s FY10 residential property valuations are: (1) egregiously unfair; (2) faulty in logic & derivation; and, (3) not legally well-based. Across the Nation: The National Association of Realtors recorded the median home price fell 14% from the first quarter of 2008 to the first three months of 2009, to just $169,000. Of the 152 metropolitan areas across the nation surveyed by the NAR, a meager 18 areas out of 152 registered metropolitan areas experienced annual price gains. Across Massachusetts: The Banker & Tradesman Report recorded significant and widespread falling home prices. Banker & Tradesman, citing Warren Group data, reported the median single-family home sold in October 2009 fetched $285,000 compared with $331,000 a year ago in 2008 Т a decrease of 13.9%. In Worcester: The continuing downward spiral of local property values suffered their biggest single-year slide in more than 15 years in 2008. The average assessed value of single-family homes fell 12 percent from $234,201 in FY2009, to $206,517over the year. The total assessed value of all taxable property in the city dropped by an unprecedented $1.2 billion, or nearly 10 percent, between Jan. 1, 2008, and Jan. 1, 2009. Two-family homes and condominiums also experienced dramatic declines in average assessed valuations, falling by 17.6 percent, and 14.6 percent respectively. BUT WHAT HAPPENED IN NORTHBORO?: But, what has happened in Northboro with the Town Assessor’s FY10 residential valuations? The following home sales highlight the problem of sales values vs. assessed valuations: At 272 Crawford St: Home Sold in Nov 2009 fort $534,000 vs. Assessor FY10 Value of $635,700 Assessor’s Valuation was +19% Higher than Real Market Sales Value! At 293 Davis St: Home Sold in Nov 2009 for $440,000 vs. Assessor FY10 Value of $488,600 Assessor’s Valuation was +11% Higher than Real Market Sales Value! At 9 Kristyn Dr: Home Sold for in Oct 2009 for $440,000; $98,100 below the Town Assessor’s Valuation. FY 2009 Town Assessed Value was: $538,100. FY 2010 Town Assessed Value was: $538,400. Town Assessed values in FY09 & FY10 are both 22.5% greater than the Real Market Sales Value! At 297 Crawford St: No recent Sales history. The FY08 and FY09 Town Assessed Values were the same at $817,900. Town Assessed Value in FY10 was $897,000, or whopping increase of +$79,100, a +10% increase; and, occurring during the most adverse recessionary period ever! The DOR/DLS todate has certified 278 Cities and Towns in Massachusetts for FY10 Valuations. Over the last two years, the values have fallen 6% in average Single Family Homes across the state. Whereas in Northboro valuations only fell a mere 0.49% in the same period? Similar towns in the area (Berlin, Boylston, Southboro, West Boylston, and Westboro) fell even more, at 8.5%! The following graph illustrates the (normalized) Average Values of 278 Massachusetts towns, the five(5) similar towns around Northboro, and the Northboro valuation. (Note: Chart was deleted due to software limitation of this website to include a graphic chart) What Has Gone So Badly Wrong in NORTHBORORO,s VALUATION PROCESS – It Was FLAWED & UNFAIR The basis for change in residential valuation should be based on the sales of CY2008 for valuation of each property on January 1, 2009. Because of the adverse recession years, only 61 homes were sold in CY2008 in Northboro (only 1.5% of all single family homes in town). DLS requires the latest 2% of all Single Family Homes sold be used as the basis of changing the average value of each house. Instead of using the last 2% of homes sold in CY2007 and CY2008 (homes sold after 9/27/07), the Northboro Assessor utilized all of the homes sold in both 2007 and 2008 (more than 4% of the homes sold in this period). As a result of this calculation, the average value of all homes fell by only a mere 0.69% rather than the 6% as seen across the state and 8.5% in towns surrounding Northboro. This resulted in an egregiously unfair valuation. If the Northboro Assessor would consider the last 2% of all homes sold in Northboro (from 9/27/07 to 12/31/08). The average sales price should have dropped 6.19%.This is consistent with other state-wide homes and in towns surrounding Northboro Therefore, the Northboro Assessor derived distorted higher residential property valuations, as a consequence Northboro homeowners are beset by egregiously unfair valuations. In conclusion, how could the Northboro Assessor have missed all the verifiable downward plummeting real housing prices across the state and across the nation in these continuing adverse economic times? WHY? How was this allowed to come about? How were such clear and certain devaluation happenings missed by the Northboro Assessor? What changes are now needed to correct this unfairness in wrongfully derived property valuations? Finally, the citizens of Northboro kindly request of DOR/DLS the following: 1. Do not approve the Northboro submitted FY10 valuations & related tax rate until fair valuations are accomplished. 2. Direct Northboro Town govt to revalue the townМs properties for FY10. 3. Send professional assistance and provide oversight to assure fair valuations. Our townМs citizens welcome and look forward to your direct involvement and assistance to overcome the unfair residential property valuations for FY10. It would be financially harmful to taxpayers to leave these valuations stand, especially in these most adverse economic times. Thank You. Respectfully Submitted, Original Signed by William C. Jeas Kim on "Letter to DEP Agent regarding 429 Whitney Street" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/8#post-15 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:36:18 +0000 Kim 15@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ Letter shared with me via email: Joseph R. Bellino, M.S. Environmental Analyst IV Bureau of Resource Protection Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 627 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Dear Mr. Bellino: I am attending your on-site meeting today at 429 Whitney Street, Northborough, as an abutter to that parcel. I am concerned about the daily high level of apparent landfill activity on the site for approximately the last two months, because I do not know if there is any town or state environmental oversight of this activity. We have been told that the site is being prepared to raise livestock, i.e., for agricultural use. It’s my understanding that the land-clearing and ongoing delivery of truckloads of some kind of fill has made it possible for the owner to raise the land more than 20 feet higher to create a level – what? A pasture? Does a pasture have to be higher than the original topography and level as well? The site includes wetlands and streams, the protection of which I believe is under DE P jurisdiction. I trust that your visit today gives you the opportunity to gather the information you need for appropriate understanding and oversight of this project. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, Jodie H. Martinson Kim on "Wind Committee Question" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/6#post-12 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:17:31 +0000 Kim 12@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ Comment from: pveld I have a question for the wind committee. I thought the owners of the farm land you are looking at had received a large sum of money from the state to keep the land as farm land and not be developed. How can it be used for a wind turbine and not be kept as farm land? I realize that it's not being sold to a developer but it wouldn't be used as farm land. Kim on "Petition for wind turbine setbacks" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/7#post-13 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:45:50 +0000 Kim 13@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ Kim See this Citizen-Petition on the subject matter at the below weblink. Most worthy for Northboro citizens to become informed by posting this Petition on NorthboroNews.org at: <a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/wind-watch.html">http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/wind-watch.html</a> Thanks, Bill Jeas Kim on "Wind Committee Newsletter" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/4#post-10 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:18:47 +0000 Kim 10@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ (<a href="http://www.northboronews.org/2009/09/21/wind-committee-newsletter/">Northboro News Posting of this article</a>) Courtesy of Margaret Harling of the Wind Committee Hey Northborough, Some of you may have heard that there are plans afoot to erect a power generating wind turbine in Northborough. Well, a Wind Committee has been appointed by the town and this will be an ongoing effort to let you know what is going on. Most people on the committee are engineers and they speak in technical, and sometimes confusing terms. I have a graduate degree but I'm not an engineer, so I thought I could pester them for translation and keep you all updated as to their progress. In spite of recent weather, Northborough is not a very windy place. If you refer to the wind map on the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) website (generated by computer predictions) you'll see there are only a few spots in town where a wind turbine might be possible A number of sites were initially identified, some on town land and some not, and each of these were reviewed by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and UMass. Amherst for suitability as a wind turbine site. Factors included amount of wind at the site, proximity of dwellings and connectivity to the power grid. The next step is to pick a site and erect a "met" tower, which will measure the wind flows, orientation of wind, and temperatures at the site for one year. A meteorological, or "met" tower is a temporary tower erected to measure wind velocity and temperature at various heights on the tower. These readings are saved several times every hour over a ten month or more period and the data are subsequently analyzed to predict the orientation, height, and energy generating capacity of a wind turbine at that general location. At this point, three sites have emerged as potential sites for a wind turbine. Two are on privately owned farm land and one is on town-owned land It is preferable to place the turbine on town land, but that may not be possible. In fact, each of the sites has some issues which are being worked on by the Committee currently. In order to erect a "met" tower, and eventually a wind turbine, we will need the assistance of consultants who are in wind energy business. These are people who have knowledge of the industry, access to the equipment we will need, and experience transporting and erecting wind turbines. These consultants will be chosen using a fair competitive bidding process with a detailed bid analysis by the Town Administrator and Engineer. The decision was made, and agreed on, by the Committee that this wind turbine would generate power for the use of the Town of Northborough municipal needs (town hall, schools, police, fire, street lights, public works etc.) The power generated by the turbine will be delivered to the National Grid local distribution power system (wires that run along the streets) via typical overhead wires and be measured in Kilowatt\hours (KWHRS) The town of Northborough will receive monetary credit for the electrical power from The National Grid . The monthly town electrical bills for operating the schools, fire/police departments, town hall and other offices will be subtracted from the power generated by the wind turbine. This should result in considerable savings to the Town over time. How, you may wonder , is this all going to be paid for? Well, the cost of the "met" tower is covered by a grant available from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. The wind turbine itself will be paid for by a combination of state and federal grants, fundraising and...you guessed it, funds raised by your vote at Town Meeting. We don't yet know the cost, and the size of the wind turbine will be dictated by the information gleaned from the "met" tower. You can be sure though, that the information we get from the "met" tower and identified during the Feasibility Study will let us know if this project will, or will not, work here in Northborough. Q.WILL THE ENERGY GENERATED BY THE WIND TURBINE ALLOW NORTHBOROUGH TO GO "OFF THE GRID"? No. The energy generated by the wind turbine will be fed into the National Grid and the Town of Northborough will receive a credit for that amount of energy on it's bill. Credits will vary month to month reflecting the performance of the wind generator and the town demands. In the summer, for instance, when the schools are closed, extra credits could be accumulated to offset higher winter demands. Post questions here, and Maggie and the Wind committee will do their best to translate engineer-speak into plain language. Andy on "Welcome" http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/topic/3#post-9 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:08:02 +0000 Andy 9@http://www.northboronews.org/discuss/ Welcome to Northboro News' Discussion area! This is an experimental addition to the main Northboro News site, and is likely to change somewhat as we see what works and what doesn't. We hope that it can grow into a place for more free-form discussion and conversations among members of the Northborough community. Here you will have the opportunity to bring up topics and more formatting options for your post. Harassment, derogatory remarks, or any other abusive posts will be moderated and the user banned from use of these forums.