Annual Town Meeting Results – May 5th, 2025

Tewksbury – Annual Town Meeting was called to order last night, May 5th, 2025, at 7:30pm at the Tewksbury Memorial High School. Dustin Weir moderated the evening.

Articles 1 – 21 were covered.

ARTICLE 1: To choose all necessary Town Officers, by ballot, Two (2) members of the Select Board for three years; Two (2) members of the School Committee for three years; Two (2) members of the Planning Board for three years; Two (2) members of the Board of Library Trustees for three years; Two (2) members of the Board of Health for three years; One (1) member of the Board of Health for a two year unexpired term; One (1) member of the Housing Authority for five years, and One (1) member of the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Committee for three years.

Article 1 was not voted on, as this year’s April election has already chosen Tewksbury’s Town Officers.

ARTICLE 2 Executive Summary: The purpose of the article is to fix the salaries of certain elected Town officials.

Article 2 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 3 Rules: The Moderator called out the numbers of the Articles one by one. If a voter objected to an Article being included in the Consent Calendar, they would say “HOLD” when the number was called. The Article would then be removed from the Consent Calendar and returned to its original place in the warrant to be debated and voted on in the usual manner. After calling each item, the Moderator asked the voters to approve the remaining items as a single unit.

Article 3-22 Accept the Annual Report – Executive Summary: The purpose of the article is to accept the report of various Town Officers; which are in the 2024 Annual Town Report located on the Town’s Website

Adopted Unanimously

Article 3-23 Lease/Purchase Agreements – Executive Summary: This article is acted on annually and allows the Town Manager to lease/purchase equipment for various Town Departments subject to annual appropriation.

Adopted Unanimously

Article 3-24 Authorize Chapter 90 Funds – Executive Summary: Each year the state indicates the amount it will allot to cities and towns for sidewalk and roadwork under Chapter 90. This article authorizes the Town to spend these funds.

“HOLD”: This article was debated and voted on at the end of the meeting, its original place on the Warrant

Article 3-25 Reauthorize Revolving Funds – Executive Summary: This article authorizes the Fiscal Year 2026 expenditure caps on the Town’s self-sufficient revolving fund accounts for the items listed above in the Town of Tewksbury. This article is in addition to the article which establishes the Revolving Funds through a General Bylaw in accordance with recent changes to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44 Section 53E½ by the Act to Modernize Municipal Finance and Government.

“HOLD”: This article was debated and voted on at the end of the meeting, its original place on the Warrant

ARTICLE 4 Executive Summary: The purpose of this article is to fund the General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

There was no debate. Article 4 was adopted, but not unanimously.

ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate and transfer from available funds a sum of $7,205,030 to be expended by the Town Manager to operate the Sewer Enterprise Fund; or take any other action relative thereto

Executive Summary: The purpose of this article is to fund the Sewer Enterprise Fund for Fiscal Year 2026

Debate: A resident came forward to question the salary increases in Article 4, raising concerns about them in light of increased water and sewer taxes. Town Manager Curran explained that Tewksbury operates independent water and sewer funds, which are responsible for covering indirect costs such as DPW work—resulting in a portion of the salary increases. He assured residents that the Select Board is actively working on a long-term payment plan to help ease the burden of high water bills. The resident asked for a more thorough breakdown of salary increases moving forward.

Article 5 was adopted, not unanimously.

ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate from overlay surplus a sum of $400,000 to the Water Enterprise Stabilization Fund.

Executive Summary: The purpose of this article is to fund rate relief for the Water Enterprise Fund for Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027.

Debate: A resident came forward inquiring about what happens after the 11% water rate impact. Town Manager Curran ensured that this plan would help give “stability and predictability.”

Article 6 was adopted, not unanimously.

ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of $9,712,020 and to transfer and appropriate the sum of $400,000 from overlay surplus to be expended by the Town Manager to operate the Water Enterprise Fund; or take any action relative thereto.

Executive Summary: The purpose of this article is to fund the Water Enterprise Fund for Fiscal Year 2026.

Article 7 was adopted, not unanimously.

ARTICLE 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of $779,800 to be expended by the Town Manager to operate the Stormwater Enterprise Fund; or take any action relative thereto.

Executive Summary: The purpose of this article is to fund the Stormwater Enterprise Fund for Fiscal Year 2026.

Article 8 was adopted, not unanimously.

ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of $484,120 to be expended by the Town Manager to operate the Cable TV Enterprise Fund; or take any action relative thereto.

Executive Summary: The purpose of this article is to fund the Cable TV Enterprise Fund for Fiscal Year 2026.

Debate: A resident expressed concern about the “lack of infrastructure” to film the Memorial Day Parade, calling it a disservice to veterans and those unable to attend. She asked if the increased funding could address this issue. Town Manager Curran responded that while the parade can be recorded, live broadcasting isn’t currently possible, but he will revisit the matter for future improvements.

Article 9 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Bond Premiums the sum of $31,750 to reduce Town Exempt Debt Principal; or take any action relative thereto.

Article 10 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 11 Executive Summary: According to Chapter 105 of the Acts of 2003, the Tewksbury Affordable Housing Trust Fund is to have an allocation submitted to and approved at the Annual Town Meeting. The FY2026 allocation plan meets the expenditure requirements of the Special Act.

Debate: A resident asked whether Chapter 105 was a Massachusetts Act or specific to Tewksbury. The Town Manager confirmed it is a Massachusetts Act and clarified that it does not involve a new amount—only a requirement to formally establish the existing amount.

Article 11 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 12 Executive Summary: Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 44B requires that the Town appropriate for spending, or reserve for future spending, from the fund balance at least 10% for open space, 10% for historic preservation, and 10% for community housing. FY2026 Historic 10% Reserve will be achieved with the Town Hall Rehabilitation and Ella Fleming Bond payments. The total CPA Estimated FY26 revenue is $1,069,178.

Article 12 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 13 Executive Summary: This article allows the Town to utilize funds from the Stabilization Fund for capital equipment and improvements and one-time expenditures.

Amendment: Article 13 was amended to show (2) New Administrative Vehicles for the Fire Department.

Debate: A resident expressed concern about using the stabilization fund, which has traditionally been reserved for emergencies. Town Manager Curran explained that the fund would be used for a one-time expense and replenished later, preserving the town’s credit rating. Additional questions were raised about a $102,100 request to replace 11 anti-ligature toilet and sink units at the police station. Curran clarified that the fixtures are outdated and no longer up to code, noting that the building is 28 years old and must meet current state standards. Concerns were also raised over the cost of two new administrative vehicles for the Fire Department. Fire Captain Joseph Kearns explained they have to replace their “command vehicle,” which has a lifespan of five years, and fit it with the necessary equipment (radios and lights). He assured the town that the old command vehicle would not be taken out of service.

Article 13 needed a 2/3rds standing vote [18 Nay – 78 Yay]. Article 13 was adopted.

ARTICLE 14 Executive Summary: This article allows the School Department to utilize funds from the Stabilization Fund for School capital equipment, facility improvements and one-time expenditures.

Article 14 needed a 2/3rds standing vote. Article 14 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 15 Executive Summary: This article uses funds from Overlay Surplus to conduct a study to explore options to meet the current and future educational needs of the Town. This study should take into consideration current and future pupil enrollment, current and future educational needs, including but not limited to pre-k needs now and in the future, current building conditions, including limitations and opportunities, current grade configurations, and possible reconfigurations with attention to promoting appropriate educational environments for the students. The study will have a primary goal of providing a tool that will help the community develop a comprehensive school facilities plan that will provide the most educationally appropriate and cost-efficient solution for the educational facilities needs of the community.

Debate: Several residents questioned the timing and necessity of the proposed funding, noting that two new schools were recently built and expressing concern over the vague use of the word “tool.” Richard Russo, as an audience member, addressed the audience, explaining that the School Facilities Study Committee is made up of residents and parents. The $300,000 will go to consultant firms that specialize in long-term educational and facility planning. He also noted that the last time this was done was 2006, almost 20 years ago.

Article 15 was adopted, not unanimously.

ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $775,000 from Sewer Enterprise Fund Retained Earnings to be expended
by the Town Manager for various purposes; or take any action relative thereto.

Executive Summary: This article utilizes funds from Sewer Retained Earnings for capital equipment and improvements. This article only has Sewer Retained Earnings’ share of the cost for those items. The total cost of the Bobcat, the Asphalt Roller and the F-550 Maintenance Utility vehicles are $100,000, $40,000 and $210,000 respectively. The balance for each is being shared with the Water Retained Earnings Fund.

Amendment: Article 16 was amended to show $115,000 for the F-550 Maintainer Utility w/Crane, creating a Total Sewer amount of $785,000.

Debate: An audience member asked whether the vehicles mentioned were the same as those in Article 13 or additional purchases. Town Manager Curran clarified that they were the same vehicles, including the Bobcat, and the costs were being allocated across three different divisions. Another resident asked about the impact of tariffs, noting one vehicle had already been affected. Curran explained that if tariffs significantly increased costs, the matter would return to Town Meeting for further approval.

Article 16 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 17 Executive Summary: This article utilizes funds from Water Retained Earnings for Capital Equipment and Improvements. The cost of this article only has Water Retained Earnings’ share of the cost for those items. The total cost of the Bobcat, the Asphalt Roller and the F-550 Maintenance Utility vehicles are $100,000, $40,000 and $210,000 respectively. The balance for each is being shared with the Sewer Retained Earnings Fund.

Amendment: Article 17 was amended to show $115,000 for the F-550 Maintainer Utility w/Crane, creating a new Total Sewer amount of $835,000.

Article 17 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 18: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate from the Stormwater Enterprise Fund a sum of $400,000 to be expended by the Town Manager for various purposes; or take any action relative thereto.

Article 18 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 19 Motion: That the Town hereby appropriates the sum of $5,400,000, for the cost of installing and replacing waterlines in the Town, and for the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto, and that to meet this appropriation the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, is hereby authorized to borrow said sum under and pursuant to Chapter 44 Section 8(5) of the Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore. Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance
of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount.

Debate: One resident inquired if this increased amount of $5,400,000 from $2,500,000 was sustainable. Town Manager Curran responded that 70% of the town’s debt will be paid off within 10 years, creating room for this level of investment.

Article 19 needed a 2/3rds standing vote. Article 19 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 20 Motion: That the Town hereby appropriates the sum of $1,500,000, for the cost of purchasing and installing water meters and/or water meter components in the Town, and for the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto, and that to meet this appropriation the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Select Board, is hereby authorized to borrow said sum under and pursuant to Chapter 44 Section 8(6) of the Massachusetts General Laws, or pursuant to any other enabling authority, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefore. Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 20 of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount.

Article 20 needed a 2/3rds standing vote. Article 20 was adopted unanimously.

ARTICLE 21 Executive Summary: Passage of this article will modify the General Bylaw, Chapter 6.04 Dogs to be consistent with state regulations (MGL, Chapter 140) for commercial boarding and training kennels, including dog daycares. The Acts of 2024 (aka Ollie’s Law) also clarifies existing kennel license requirements, requires municipalities to report kennel licenses to MDAR, requires kennels to report any injuries that occur to the municipality, and establishes enforcement protocols for the municipality.

Article 21 needed a Majority Vote. Article 21 was adopted unanimously.

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ARTICLE 3 [Removed from the Consent Calendar]

Debate: A resident asked how much of the Chapter 90 fund was allocated to Tewksbury for sidewalks. It was confirmed that about 20% of the fund, covering both design and construction, was designated for this purpose. Town Manager Curran stressed the importance of continuing to invest in sidewalks, as their costs continue to rise.

Article 3-24 was adopted unanimously.

Debate: A resident inquired about the revenue from the electronic billboards, and it was confirmed that the funds generated from the E-Billboards were being used for the sidewalks.

Article 3-25 was adopted unanimously.

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Zoning Bylaw Amendments 28 through 33 will be voted on Wednesday at 7:30pm. A Special Town Meeting will be held beforehand at 7pm.

Kari Weinstein

Kari studied Journalism and Advertising at Boston University and lived in Boston for 10 years, most recently moving to Tewksbury in early 2024. She has experience writing and producing content for radio and television.