Town to repair smaller streets with additional funds

Several smaller Canton roadways will get some form of paving this year as the town has received additional Chapter 90 roadway money for a total disbursement of $782,000. In the past few years, the town has spent its Chapter 90 funds on larger streets, but this year 13 smaller roads will be selected based on the severity of the road conditions. Selectmen received DPW recommendations Tuesday night and will make a final decision at the board’s next meeting on May 31.

Town Administrator Bill Friel said Canton roads are in serious need of repair, noting it would take an expenditure of $12 million to make all necessary repairs.

In other news Tuesday night, Selectman Bob Burr, who is a committee member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, announced that the state House of Representatives has passed a budget amendment that advances local health insurance reform. The bill has the potential to save the town of Canton $300,000 annually.

House members voted 113-42 to include the reform amendment in its FY 2012 state budget bill, and the proposal now moves to the Senate. The amendment, according to an MMA press release, would allow a community to increase its co-pays, deductibles and other plan design features up to the level offered by the state’s Group Insurance Commission, or to “transfer its subscribers into the GIC if the community would save more through that option.”

The amendment would require selectmen to submit the plan to a special committee composed of a representative of each collective bargaining unit. The committee would have 30 days to discuss the details of the plan and decide how to allocate 10 percent of one year’s estimated cost savings. The savings could only be used for health-related programs for active employees and retirees. If the discussion with the union committee does not result in an agreement, selectmen could still implement the changes, but they would be required to set aside 20 percent of one year’s estimated savings for a health reimbursement account to offset costs for high users and retirees.

Selectman Avril Elkort praised the House amendment, noting that it would allow the town to discuss health insurance with one committee of union representatives and would also open up the health insurance marketplace to providers offering lower cost programs. Selectmen praised state Rep. Bill Galvin for supporting the bill and asked state Senator Brian Joyce for his support as well.

In other news:

* Friel announced a one-year agreement with the firefighters’ union and one of the local AFSCME groups, both of which agreed to forgo a cost of living adjustment. Friel also said talks with the police officers’ union are progressing.

* Selectmen approved the transfer of an all-alcohol license, common victualler and entertainment licenses from Finbarr’s Auld Irish Pub to T&B Pub, to be owned by Rodney Lampron of Norwood. Lampron said the pub will remain in its present location, but will emphasize more family-style food with lunch programs. The menu will also be expanded to include American, Italian and Mexican food. Lampron hopes to open his restaurant toward the end of June. He has formerly worked for the Back Bay Restaurant Group and for alcohol distributors.

* Selectmen announced that any restaurant that wishes to open at 10 a.m. on Sundays to sell alcohol should file an application with selectmen.

* The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will hold Canton office hours from 10 a.m. to noon on June 22.

* Congressman Stephen Lynch will hold an open forum at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, in the Administration Building at Curry College. For more information, call Lynch’s office at 617-428-2000.

* Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, May 31 at 7 p.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on May 18 2011. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.