By Pattie Pacella, Neighb News Correspondent
The Acushnet Selectboard met on Tuesday, 5/7/19, and discussed a letter they received from U.S. Rep. William Keating in response to a letter sent by them regarding P.J. Keating and Blasting. Town Administrator, Brian Noble said the response did not include any new information, and stated that the standards for blasting have not been reviewed or updated in forty years.
Selectboard Chairperson Roger Cabral said the letter was written from the Selectboard with the help of Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher to Rep. Keating after neighbors in that area complained about the blasting and other concerns.
The Selectboard was hoping to get a letter in return with the knowledge that the federal government would be open to looking into the standards. Mr. Cabral suggested that Mr. Noble reach out to Mr. Gallagher and review their options to send back another letter, perhaps spelling out exactly what their concerns are.
“It is a very well written letter that doesn’t say a lot”, Mr. Cabral said.
In other business, Mr. Noble said he walked the roof of the elementary school with the Massachusetts School School Association (MSBA) who said if chosen they would help fund the school roof at 57.5%.
He explained the Town would be responsible for approximately $30,000–$60,000 at the start and then the balance of the 57.5%. The total cost would be approximately $1.2 million. Mr. Noble did say that the funding usually starts at 27-year-old roofs, and Acushnet’s roof is already at forty-seven,.
“So that’s a plus for us to be chosen,” Mr. Noble said, adding that they would not find out until the end of summer.
The board postponed the matter of the Council On Aging recognizing Older Americans Month, because COA director Heather Sylvia could not attend.
The meeting is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQLn-V7X9rp0JdWXh445neQ. Please subscribe to the channel so that Acushnet will get its own custom URL on the platform, once it reaches 100 subscribers.
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