Clarksburg Road Work, Senior Housing Delayed
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Town Administrator Michael Canales told the Selectmen on Wednesday night that Clarksburg has been passed over for a Small Town Road Assistance Program Grant and that the federal senior housing grants are being stretched over longer periods.
The voters had authorized borrowing up to $500,000 toward resurfacing West Cross, Middle and Daniels roads; the funds would be reimbursed through the state STRAP grant. The town missed out because it missed a couple points on its application, said Canales, including the smaller size of the towns' main roads.
"I was told in January to reapply for the strap grant," he said. "Two things we didn't score well; one was the roads' size.
"I expressed to them that these were our largest roads. ... You're penalizing us for something we can't control."
The town also hadn't yet gone before the Conservation Commission for the culvert work that is to accompany the road repairs. Getting the permit beforehand should boost the the final score, said Canales.
"We'll reapply every time we can and keep asking why we didn't get it and see if there're things we can do to try to get it," he said.
The hoped-for grant for senior housing planned on property behind the Senior Center may be put off for another 18 months.
"It's one of those programs they say they haven't cut the funding [but] they're adding time," Canales explained. "Instead of doing three projects in three years they're doing two projects in three years."
The delay puts into question the matter of the Senior Center's well. The state last year had given the town a six-year deadline to close the well because of its proximity to the closed landfill. The well for the proposed senior housing would have replaced it. If it takes the town 18 months to find out it's lost the grant, something will have to be done about the well.
Canales said he was still hopeful of the funding coming through. "Elder Services is still behind us 100 percent."
Selectwoman Lily Kuzia, also head of the Council on Aging, joked, "If they keep it up, Michael, you'll be old enough to go in there."
Chairwoman Debra LaFave requested that a letter to be sent to Treasurer Christa Marsh asking her to attend the next meeting to discuss why the town's 2010 receipts were just now being submitted to the state. The Department of Revenue requires treasurers to file receipts quarterly.
Canales said he couldn't answer why there was a delay but said it could affect the town's state aid payments. "If you don't get them in then they'll hold your next payment."
"That's kind of scary," said LaFave.
Board members approved an energy-efficency plan by National Grid to replace lighting inside and outside of Town Hall at a cost of about $2,600.
"They're old and we keep repairing them and the ballasts keep going and we really need to get them fixed," said Canales of the lights. The utility did an energy efficiency audit of the building last year. If the town does not have enough in the utility account for a lump some payment, saving 15 percent, board members authorized accepting National Grid's offer to spread it over 24 months with no interest.
In other business,
- Property owners were reminded they still have time to apply for tax emptions for surviving spouses, older than 70, the blind and veterans.
- Town Clerk Carol Jammalo has requested a computer with Internet access for the frequent electronic communication required by her position.
- Canales resigned as town assessor.
- The board set a tax title auction for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, at Town Hall for two parcels. One is about five acres on West Road taken decades ago; the second is a corner lot at Brooks Heights and Walker Street.
- Selectman Carl McKinney said he would talk further with Selectmen in Ware who are urging an amendment to the state's 40B affordable housing law, which allows the state to override permitting and zoning in small towns in which it owns more than 35 percent of the land. The state owns 53 percent of Clarksburg.
- Canales said the town was submitting information to the state on the Jan. 12 storm. Because it came within 10 percent of the record in snowfall, the town could be reimbursed the $8,000 or so in costs for plowing and cleanup.
