Town:	Shirley, MA Athol, MA Royalston, MA Templeton, MA Phillipston, MA Lunenburg, MA
Board:	MRPC (Montachusett Regional Planning Commission)
Time:	Thursday May 30, 2024 6:30 PM EDT
Location:	Fitchburg State University Ellis White Lecture Room, Hammond Hall, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Agenda:	The Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) in collaboration with the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) and the agencies’ consultant WSP are partnering with the region’s communities to undertake a safety action plan to improve roadway safety outcomes in North-Central Massachusetts. To help the community become fully acquainted with the safety action plan the agencies will host a live, hybrid public information meeting. All are invited to attend in person or by web. Questions and comments are welcomed. When: Thursday, May 30th; 6:30pm Where: Fitchburg State University Ellis White Lecture Room, Hammond Hall 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420 zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1I7BjGiTR6WfL2ggsiuyHg MRPC does not discriminate. For more information please see: mrpc.org/home/pages/title-vi-policy-and-procedures

 Just an FYI, I understand recount papers have been pulled for the May 20, 2024 selectman election. It is not over yet.

 As an FYI, regarding the old Temple Stuart property / MacVallee, the town has a bylaw, based on a state law on licenses, permits, etc., and those can be denied if back taxes are owed. Perhaps that is the reason no permits have been pulled to date. They might also sue the town if they wish. More than likely, the truth shall surface sooner rather than later.

Recently, I did what any one can do, I emailed on of the towns records access officers, I emailed town administrator requesting a copy of the April 2024 monthly expenditure report from town accountant. Under the ARPA segment of report, it shows $4,760.00 allocated for road drainage and paving. it then shows $6,308.99 spent, that is shown to be 132.52% variance (allocated versus spent)

Real math 1+1 =2 / Templeton math 1+1 = whatever it needs to be.

 Did town meeting receive more bad information from town accountant regarding meals tax?

Be it Ordered by the City Council of the City of Amesbury assembled, and by the

authority of the same as follows:

1. That the Amesbury City Council votes to accept the provisions of the last paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40, section 58, and further to

dedicate without further appropriation, 100% of the Local Option Meals Tax receipts received by the City to the Special Purpose Stabilization Fund for Sidewalk and Road Repairs created by Bill No. 2013 -025.

2. The dedication of monies into this special stabilization fund will commence on July 1 ,2024.

3. Funds will be appropriated annually, beginning in FY26.

4. Sidewalk and Road Repair projects will be prioritized and selected by the City of Amesbury Public Works Director.

If you are interested in the old school house, often referred to as scout hall, this is a good read.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A//www.mytowngovernment.org/download%3Fdocument%3DahNzfnRvd25nb3Zlcm5tZW50LWhychoLEg1Eb2N1bWVudE1vZGVsGICAwJbWwoEJDA%26view%3DTrue%26.docx

 Just because I think it is important for town residents to know.

In Massachusetts, we are lucky to have state laws that govern and protect our public roadside trees. The best way to learn about these laws is to read them in full. You can do this by visiting your local library or the Massachusetts Legislature website at www.malegislature.gov/Laws/ GeneralLaws/. This fact sheet attempts to summarize these laws. 

Which Laws Govern Public Trees in Massachusetts? 

• Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 87 is the most important law governing public shade trees. It outlines the powers of the tree warden, procedures for removing shade trees, procedures for planting public trees, and penalties for violating provisions of the law. 

• Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40, Section 15C augments Chapter 87 with additional requirements concerning the removal of trees on designated scenic roads. 

• Some communities also have local bylaws or ordinances governing the protection of both public and private community trees. For example, some communities might pass a bylaw to protect trees during construction or to protect trees over a certain diameter. 

What are the Key Elements of Chapter 87? 

• All trees within the public way or on the boundary thereof are defined as public shade trees. 

• The tree warden is responsible for the care, control, protection, and maintenance of all public shade trees, except those within a state highway, and shall enforce all the provisions of law for the preservation of such trees. 

 • No other person may plant, trim, cut, or remove a public shade tree without permission of the tree warden. 

• No person, including the tree warden, may cut, trim, or remove any tree, greater than one and one-half inches in diameter, without a public hearing. 

• Public notice of a hearing must be posted, at least seven days prior to the hearing, on the trees in question, in two or more public places in town, and in a newspaper of general circulation for the town in each of two successive weeks. 

• The tree warden shall not cut or remove a public shade tree if, at or before the public hearing, objection is made in writing by one or more persons, unless such cutting or removal is approved by the select board or by the mayor.