Select Board Endorses Recreation Opportunities, Invites TFR Leaders to Next Meeting

Chess, summer camps and kid’s and adult classes to be offered by Greater Lowell Y

The Select Board met tonight with all members in attendance.

The board unanimously approved a pole relocation petition for 875 East St., the Market Basket property, pending DPW review. Pat Holland quizzed National Grid’s Dave Johnson on whether the pole will obstruct any future sidewalks, while James Mackey asked for any old poles to be removed. Johnson said he would ensure the pole is positioned to accommodate sidewalk construction. 

Town Manager Richard Montuori briefed the board on a $100 donation from Jane and Jack Sullivan in memory of recently deceased Tewksbury native Jeanne Dockray (Carr) to the Tewksbury Police Domestic Violence Fund. According to Chief Ryan Columbus, TPD has an account to help DV victims with hotel rooms and other needs. That is largely funded by donations from The Mahoney Family Fund, which works to eliminate child abuse and domestic violence. 

The board voted unanimously to accept the donation with gratitude.

Overall Financial Policy Update
Montuori confirmed that the board is in agreement on financial policy. Changes to the current document include adjusting OBEP (other post-employment benefits) language on unfunded liabilities to reflect what rating agencies want to see. Montuori suggested using any available free cash in the future to reduce the town’s OPEB liability. He also discussed changing the threshold for borrowing to $100,000 from $25,000

“We frankly don’t borrow for anything less than $1 million,” he said, given that Tewksbury has healthy free cash and stabilization funds.

OPEB liability is due to be paid off by 2055. The town’s goal is to achieve a AAA bond rating, and these updates may help with that goal.

Jayne Wellman asked Montuori to consider increasing the stabilization fund target as a percent of operating budget from 5% to 7%.

“Given the times we live in,” said Wellman.

Johnson expressed wholehearted support for the changes, noting that there was a time the town did not have sound financial policies in place, and that under Montuori’s guidance, the policy has greatly improved Tewksbury’s financial stance. 

“Neighboring communities are under significant financial stress,” said Johnson. “We are not.”

Mark Kratman objected to voting on the policy last night and motioned to table the matter to the next meeting. That was approved.

Recreation Initiative Update
Montuori updated the board on RFPs received for the town’s recreation efforts. 

Chess Wizards of Illinois, which offers chess enrichment programs to children 5 through 12, proposes to offer classes in various town-owned facilities.

“We think it would be a good program to offer the residents,” he said, adding that the Library and Senior Center are both interested in hosting the program, possibly starting in April and with a chess camp in the summer.

The big news of the night is that the YMCA of Greater Lowell is interested in expanding its operations by leasing the town’s recreation building and offering programs out of the rec center and Livingston St., possibly also beginning in April.

Offerings could include Lego and art classes, soccer skills and a summer camp.

The Y also plans to offer adult classes, such as yoga and balance, Zumba and potentially cooking classes days and evenings. The Y would run the entire program, including hiring staff. Tewksbury residents would have the ability to sign up first; remaining spaces would be offered to Y members.

The program may end up producing some revenue for the town or at least be cost-neutral, said Montuori. 

“Both programs sound like great additions,” said Mackey, but he asked how voting and other activities like the Community Market would be handled. Montuori said the Y is aware and will work around these events. 

Kratman asked about renovations and furnishings. The town has cleaned out and painted the facility, and funds are in the budget to address the building restrooms, windows and other needs. He also asked about constructing an additional restroom building on the site for use by residents. Montuori said that could possibly be done with CPA funds.

Wellman confirmed that there could be theater and music programs, potentially a summer theater camp, while pointing out that any revenue could also cover a staff rec director position.

She suggested developing a Recreation Master Plan that takes into account ballfields and other town facilities, to develop field space and recreational space intelligently. 

Johnson said he totally supports the effort and encouraged the board to “make it happen” as soon as possible while taking a cautious “crawl before we walk” approach in light of potential budgetary headwinds. He also stressed the liability risk and the benefit of outsourcing.

“That in my mind is ‘sleep insurance’ as a Select Board member,” he said. “We live in a world that is very litigious.” 

The leases and agreements will come back before the board at the April 9, along with a presentation to which members of the Tewksbury Families for Recreation group will be invited.

In a statement, Kate Budga Gwilt of TFR praised the effort, saying Montuori delivered on his promise to move the effort forward.

“We are grateful for the work put in by the town staff since we began advocating for recreation last year. Seeing such quick action taken by our town leaders is impressive and truly appreciated. We’re very excited to learn of a summer camp option that isn’t centered around Alphabest, as this was one of the main concerns we kept hearing. It will be great to see how these recreational opportunities continue to grow in town, and we’re ever-hopeful for a town-run rec department and community/rec center to be included in long-term plans. We are encouraged by the renewed RFP for the Trahan School. Seeing more recreational space and safe, maintained greenspace for our children and families to play is a continued goal of ours. But tonight, we’re celebrating this success.”

She promised to attend the April 9 meeting with other leaders of the group.

Town Manager Report
After the board signed off on counsel invoices and minutes, Kratman called out a recent news account of significant problems at the Tewksbury State Hospital, including violence and insufficient security.

“We’ve had a number of instances recently, in our community of, you know, somebody getting off the property and stabbing somebody, somebody threatening to kill themselves and other things that have been happening,” he said, adding that the TSH staff seems to be overburdened. He asked Montuori to invite the hospital director to a future meeting to discuss security concerns, given the central location of the hospital and the pending summer months.

Board Reports
Kratman and Mackey had no items to report.

Wellman reminded residents of the upcoming election on April 6 and expressed great respect for all the candidates that put their names forward.

“It is a privilege to serve our community,” she said. “Service in elected office isn’t easy nor glamorous. It is hard work, requiring a measured temperament and thoughtful, empathetic leadership. Not everyone is cut out for it.”

She wished all the candidates well and looks forward to serving with them in the next year. 

She also thanked Johnson for his 20 years in elected office, not just on the Select Board but as Moderator, Finance Committee member and in other roles.

Holland echoed Wellman’s comments on Johnson and congratulated the TMHS hockey team, which lost in a heartbreaker to Boston Latin at TD Garden over the weekend.

“Although they came up short, the hockey team deserves a shout-out because it takes a lot to get to that game,” he said.

He also said he enjoyed the perambulation he attended on Saturday with Mackey and Wellman.

This was Johnson’s last meeting after 15 years on the Select Board. Many of his former colleagues attended a reception held before the meeting, pictured above. He expressed his gratitude to the 14 board members he’s served with, saying that while they didn’t always agree, they worked together for the good of the town. 

Johnson  also thanked Montuori — calling him the best town manager in the region — and the town employees who show up at 2 a.m. when a pipe breaks.

“If you have the courage, and I underscore that word because it does take coverage, to put your name on the ballot, I urge you to do that, because in my opinion, there’s nothing better than serving your community and helping to make things work,” he said. “Local government, unlike the federal and state level, is where the rubber meets the road. What we deal with here has real impact on everyone’s lives each day.” 

The town’s new recreation program is an example. 

“I just want to thank the community,” he said. “I consider it a blessing to sit at this table. I also want to thank my family, especially my wife,” he said, for the time he spent away from home in service to the town.  

The board then went into executive session to discuss collective bargaining. The next meeting will be April 9.