ATHOL — Selectmen called for a moment of silence at the beginning of their meeting this week to remember George Whipps, a longtime business owner in town and advisory board member for the Salvation Army who died recently.
After the solemn moment, Athol Area YMCA Director Jeanette Robichaud was granted a one-day alcohol license for the YMCA’s annual dinner dance, scheduled for April 21 at Town Hall. She said it will be a spectacular event and invited the selectmen to attend. The YMCA dinner dance raises money to support memberships and camper fees throughout the year.
The board also approved a permit submitted by David Flint of the Lions Club to hold its annual car show at Silver Lake Park.
Selectmen heard from building inspector Robert Legare regarding violations found at Providence Cliff House. He reported significant progress had been made regarding fire exits and a contract with a fire alarm company. An electrician is set to come on March 9 to decertify the elevator there.
Chairman Lee Chauvette noted the actions that have been taken toward compliance, and Rebecca Bialecki motioned to grant a 60-day extension for a temporary lodging house license. It passed with no further discussion.
Under general business, selectmen received a timeline from Town Manager Shaun Suhoski regarding the annual Town Meeting, which will be held June 11. The warrant opened on Feb. 21, and will close on April 12. All bylaws must be submitted to town counsel for review by March 29.
The town manager said he hopes to present the board and Finance Committee with a budget by April 3. Final approval for all warrant articles is scheduled for May 1.
There are two ballot questions this year. The first will ask taxpayers about two proposed debt exclusions — one for the Exchange Street Bridge repairs and the other for extended repairs to Athol High School.
The first ballot question asks the town of Athol to exempt from the provisions of proposition 2½ the amounts required for the bond issued to pay for cost and repairs to the Exchange Street Bridge, which was damaged during a recent ice jam on the river. It also includes and exemption for the cost of replacing the roof on the Department of Public Works barn and the cost of construction/replacement of the sidewalk to Pleasant Street from Main Street to the school.
The second ballot question asks for money required to pay the town’s allocated share of the bond issued by Athol-Royalston Regional School District to pay for an accelerated repair project at the high school. This will cover repair/replacement of roof, windows, boiler and exterior doors of the building.
Suhoski said the cost associated with the approval of both questions would be negligible since the library project is coming off this year. The new debt exclusions would amount to $1.03 the first year.
Suhoski announced that there will be formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wendy’s at 5 p.m. on Monday. The following day, there will be a soft opening at the 110 Grill restaurant.
The town is waiting for a formal scope-of-work proposal from the engineering firm BSC Group of Worcester. The study will help prioritize projects and outline steps the town can take to obtain funding for them. Some of the proposed projects include the South Athol Road Route 2 interchange, Union Twist Mill redevelopment, Exit 18 repairs, downtown redevelopment, Lord Pond Plaza and an illustrative plan for Sanders Street School site.
The work by the BSC Group is funded from a planning grant from the Community Compact Program ($25,000) with up to$10,000 in local matching grants.