By Pattie Pacella, Neighb News Correspondent
The Acushnet Selectboard held a public hearing on January 19, 2021 to review the request of Delta Realty, of 280 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA, which has applied for a fuel storage license of 35,000 gallons at 158-166 Main Street, Acushnet, MA, the site of the former Tony’s Service Station at the corner of Wing Road at Parting Ways.
The application for this license is for the storage of (2) underground fuel storage tanks; (1) 20,000-gallon gasoline and (1) 15,000-gallon compartmentalized: 6K premium gasoline/9K diesel fuel.
Selectboard Chairperson Kevin Gaspar stated that Town Counsel had informed the board that the abutters were not notified for the hearing, the board could not hear from the petitioner. Mr. Gaspar stated the review is still in process with the Planning Board and they have the applicant on their agenda in the upcoming week. The public hearing for this applicant through the Selectboard has been continued until February 23, 2021 at 6:00p.m.
In other business, Town Administrator Julie Hebert reviewed the Remote Action Plan that has been in place for Town employees since December 10, 2020. Ms. Hebert stated that the remote action plan has been working well with one employee in any department in the building at one time, while others are working remotely.
She stated that Town Hall is still closed to the public, however there are different avenues for people to either make an appointment, pay a bill, or correspond with town employees.
Ms. Hebert also stated that the CARES act grants have paid for all employees to receive a town laptop so they can work remotely. With the spike of COVID still lingering, she said she would like to see the Selectboard continue the remote action plan for at least another two weeks and then review it.
Mr. Gaspar stated it was unfortunate that COVID was still spiking in the area, and at some point they need to get back to be opened to the public and moving forward. However, he said he was fine with the remote action plan for another two weeks.
Board member David Wojnar said he agreed. He noted that coming up were the tax bills and as long as the Treasurer/Collector’s office had a good hold on how people could be paying, he was okay with the Remote Action Plan staying in place and reviewing it in another few weeks.
Board member David Desrochers also support the Remote Action Plan staying in place.
“Productivity is a concern, but it sounds like we are being productive at Town Hall with this plan in place,” he said.
Mr. Gaspar said that he did not think the holiday surge of COVID cases would still be here, but he hoped for the best.
Finally, Ms. Hebert gave a shout out to the Acushnet Library, led by Director, Dina Braisseur who has done a great job engaging Acushnet residents with reading.
Ms. Hebert stated there is a “Snowed-In Challenge” that can be found on the Acushnet Library’s website for all ages to participate in.
“As of January 1, 2021, there have been 10,593 minutes of reading that has been logged,” Ms. Hebert said. “The library is doing a great job to engage Acushnet residents to read for all ages. I just want to give them a shout out.”
Mr. Gaspar said he frequently drives by the library and is amazed to see all the cars parked there, and people are definitely utilizing the library. He asked how Council on Aging director Heather Sylvia is doing with her program and if she needed anything.
Ms. Hebert stated that Ms. Sylvia was still offering some programs with the seniors under the pavilion that building commissioner Jim Marot built. Ms. Hebert advised that seniors can contact the Council on Aging on different programs available.
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal.
Click here to download the entire 1/28/21 issue: 01-28-21 AcushTestTrailer
