A note from the editor: My aim is to incorporate more notice regarding public meetings, including previews of what is planned for discussion for some of the town’s boards. If you like this format, please let us know at bdomaingue@westfordcat.org. Previews aim to incorporate high-level information regarding several agenda items on the board’s docket.
WESTFORD — The Select Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday night – here’s what to expect.
Residents may participate by attending the meeting in person at the second floor conference room in Town Hall, 55 Main St. at 7 p.m. Residents may also participate remotely via Zoom.
Those who wish to tune in may watch the meeting on YouTube, Comcast channel 9, Verizon channel 34 or via Castus.
The meeting may also be accessed via WestfordCAT’s app, which can be downloaded from the App Store, Google Play Store and Roku.
Tuesday’s agenda can be found here. Tuesday’s packet can be found here.
Special Town Meeting warrant review
The Select Board plans to discuss the Special Town Meeting warrant, with a potential to set the order of articles.
The Oct. 21 Special Town Meeting includes articles that could create or update use cases for several types of businesses, a proposed bylaw to regulate firearms businesses and an article to enable voters to participate in Town Meeting without being physically present.
The proposed warrant contains 16 articles up for consideration.
Meeting with Health Insurance Trust
The board plans to meet with the Health Insurance Trust to discuss health insurance options. Westford switched to a partially self-insured health care strategy on March 1, 2022.
According to a 2023 report from the Budget Task Force, costs for Westford’s partially self-insured strategy have been “far higher than forecaster” between 2022 and 2023.
The Trust voted to raise rates by 15% on Sept. 11, 2023 in an effort to maintain a trust balance between $4.7 million and $9.4 million.
Other items of note
- The new owners of Mario’s Restaurant, Josh Johnson and Jennifer White, are applying for their Common Victualler license. A Common Victualler is required for businesses which prepare and serve food as well as offer seating.
- Wendy Gloyd on behalf of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is applying to use the Town Common and bandstand for an Indigenous Peoples Day flag raising and celebration on Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The proposed flag raising will honor the Nipmuc tribe, which previously spanned much of southern New England.
- The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has is requesting the Select Board to approve its new vision and mission statements.
