By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Return of the Great American Cleanup
At the Town Council’s hybrid meeting on March 8, Keep North Attleborough Executive Director Marsha Goldstein outlined the Great American Cleanup, set for May 1. Online registration begins on March 1 and will close on March 26, due to the uncertainty of T-shirt vendor inventories.
Distribution of supplies will be at Martin School on April 22 and 29, 5-7 p.m. Cars will drive up to the main entrance and KNAB volunteers will bring out tote bags of supplies, including bags and gloves. To minimize close contact, drivers must place a sign in their windshield stating their first and last name.
Goldstein said there have been many signups, including members of the local Boy and Girl Scout troops.
“Sign up and joins us in the trenches to clean up the litter that is everywhere,” said Goldstein.
Council votes to approve creation of chief assessor position
As part of the reorganization of town departments, Town Manager Michael Borg has proposed the creation of a chief assessor position, which would also handle property valuations in-house. Town Councilor Justin Pare, who chairs the Finance Subcommittee, said this would save the town approximately $15,000 a year. He said this would improve understanding of the valuation process and could lead to a faster processing of property tax payments.
“Accuracy of assessments is the thing I get almost the most calls (about),” said Town Council President Keith Lapointe. “We don’t always understand it—having someone in town doing this is big.”
The reorganization wouldn’t change the number of staff in the assessor’s office, however the new positions lead to a $17,000 increase in salaries.
Planning underway for Memorial Day
Borg said that plans are being reviewed for the Memorial Day parade. Due to the pandemic, last year’s parade was vehicles only and little notice was given to keep the crowds small. Borg said that this could be the first event that is more than a vehicle parade.
“We’re hoping to have a different ceremony than we had last year,” he said.
Council approves Town Hall appointments
Following a brief discussion, the council approved the appointments of Assistant Assessor Cheryl Smith and Sheri Warsofsky to the North Attleborough Housing Authority.
Borg said that Smith has all the qualifications for the role and Warsofsky showed herself to be someone who genuinely wants to work in the housing authority.
