News and Updates

At tonight’s Clinton Board of Selectmen meeting, the board’s Tax Classification Subcommittee will present its recommendations in advance of next week’s annual Tax Classification hearing and the setting of the Fiscal Year 2019 tax rate. 

The Tax Classification Subcommittee was made up of Selectman Michael Dziokonski, Principal Assessor David Baird, Paul Cherubini, Stephen Philbin, and me. Town Administrator Michael Ward and Community and Economic Development Director Philip Duffy attended some meetings in advisory roles.

The subcommittee met four times, on April 25, May 10, May 30 and October 30, 2018. Our charge was to review the town’s split tax rate and make recommendations, if any, on how to proceed with tax classification moving forward.

The report covers the history of the property tax split (in Massachusetts and in Clinton), an overview of how Clinton sets its property tax rate, the exemptions offered to property owners, a list of comparable towns and their rates, trends, advantages and disadvantages to maintaining the tax rate split, and the subcommittee’s recommendations. They are as follows:

1. Reduce the town’s tax rate split at the rate of 2 percent a year until a single rate is achieved.​​ Making an all-at-once leap to a single rate of $19.45 would result in a jarring increase of $883 to the average residential taxpayer. Chipping away at the split would spread out that impact to residential property owners over time, and demonstrate that the town is committed to improving the climate for businesses here.
2. Continue to expand exemption programs as allowed by law.​​ Publicize the availability of these programs, and the senior work program, to increase participation among those potentially affected by a tax increase.

The full report can be downloaded here:

The Board of Selectmen holds its annual Tax Classification Hearing next Wednesday, December 5, at 7 p.m. in the second-floor conference room. I encourage anyone interested in this important process or in sharing their opinion, to come out and have your voice heard. 

I’m really excited about this Sunday’s (October 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) grand opening of the Matchstick Market, a new weekly farmers and artisans collaborative at 55 Sterling Street, just outside Depot Square.

From their press release:

The Matchstick Market is setting out to support the local food producers in the community and increase the accessibility of fresh, local produce and handmade products in the central Massachusetts community. A high-quality selection of local farms, artisans, and makers who prioritize sustainability, environmentalism, and ethics as a part of their business model will make up the weekly vendors. Fresh produce, fresh-cut flowers, herbs, locally made foods and products, ready-to-eat foods, art, live music, community groups, family-friendly activities, workshops, and more are lined up throughout the year. In an effort to remain accessible for all, they’ll be partnering with farms that accept SNAP, WIC, HIP, Senior Coupons, and other government subsidy programs. [ThreeMatchCreations_PressRelease_MatchstickMarket_August2018 ]

As much as I’m excited to see an old mill space brought back to life (see for yourself on their Instagram account) and another promising new business pick Clinton to be its home, I’m even more thrilled about the people who are running Matchstick, and their vision for what it will become. They hope to expand beyond a market to include live music, workshops and other projects and initiatives. They want to create a place that’s good for Clinton.

When the organizers/managers/proprietors spoke at the Board of Selectman’s meeting on Wednesday, they talked more about community and relationships than they did commerce. Because those are the kinds of businesses that really take hold these days: Not the faceless big-box stores or malls, but local, community-based places where people can get together and enjoy themselves.

It’s a common theme today in economic development, and something one of my favorite websites for that field, strongtowns.org, mentions often:

When you cultivate a sense of place, not only will citizens spend their dollars at home, you’ll attract tourists as well. They’ll have a good time. And because you’re giving them something to talk about, they’ll come back—and they’ll generate great word of mouth that makes others want to visit, too. [From “Character Counts: How to Create a Sense of Place in Your Community.”]

The Matchstick journey to grand opening hasn’t been without its bumps, however. Opening a new business is hard for anyone, and they’ve had some challenges figuring out what’s expected of them regarding permitting.

It’s something I see too often: People looking to do something that could benefit the town and its residents getting held up by red tape or a “You should’ve known that” attitude.

I saw it again later on at Wednesday’s meeting, during an earth-removal-permit hearing that got tabled almost before it could begin. The applicant didn’t have the proper documentation, or answers to questions that apparently are in the town’s bylaws regarding earth removal. I’ll be honest: I didn’t know he had to provide those answers and I can understand how he might have left frustrated. Sure, it’s all on the town website. But there’s got to be a better way.

I believe there is. And I’ve talked to business owners and other town officials who agree. That’s why I’d like the board’s Marketing and Communication subcommittee to work with my colleagues on the Planning and Zoning boards, the Board of Health, the building inspector and anyone else who has a say in these things to streamline the permitting process so that small business owners have as much chance at success here as the big guys do.

The future of Clinton rests with the small developers and first-time business owners who are willing to take a chance on us. We need to work harder to attract them and, once they’re here, we need to make it easier for them to settle in and succeed.

Last night, the Board of Selectmen approved the first phase of a Downtown Parking Management Plan that I think will make High Street and the surrounding downtown district better for local businesses, residents, and visitors from out of town.

What I like best about the plan is its flexibility and simplicity. We’re making incremental changes that can shift depending on the results we see and the input we get from the public. If it works, we’ll continue on that path. If it doesn’t, we can go another way. It’s a low-cost, low-risk way to improve the downtown parking situation for everyone.

Phase 1 of the plan is scheduled to begin August 15, and introduces three straightforward tactics:

1. Conspicuous Signage: New parking and wayfinding signage will be installed to help people find parking options that are less than obvious and to inform them of any parking limits.
2. Consistent Enforcement: Clinton Police will monitor downtown and ticket anyone who violates the new parking limits.
3. Clear communication and dialog with stakeholders: In the next few weeks, business and property owners will be contacted about the plan and asked for their input. In addition, we’ll be holding a public information session in July to hear what others have to say. Bottom line is we want to make sure everyone knows what’s expected, to see how it’s working, and to make whatever changes are necessary to address any reasonable concerns.

The proposed parking zones address both high-turnover areas near retail and dining establishments and the long-term needs of downtown residents and employees. A full list of the zones and proposed time limits is available in the Phase 1 plan linked below.

I encourage everyone to take a look and to let us know what you think. A successful downtown benefits everyone in Clinton, and making parking work will go a long way toward a High Street that serves us all better.

DOWNLOAD THE DOWNTOWN PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN PHASE 1 HERE: Downtown Parking Management Plan Phase 1 6-20-18

(PLEASE NOTE that the date for the public information session listed in this document, July 15, is incorrect. The correct date Tuesday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.)

Monday’s Annual Town Meeting in Clinton had trouble making its quorum of 200 voters and, once it did, saw debate bogged down at times by confusion over how municipal budgets are put together and how a few warrant articles would affect the town. It was my first Town Meeting as a selectman, so I got to look at things a little differently. The good thing is that now, instead of complaining, I’m in a position to try and change things.

Here are three things I’d like to see us try in an effort to make Town Meeting better.

1. Publicize it like an event, not an obligation. Town Meeting has been the first Monday in June in recent years, but obviously not everyone knows that. We need to publicize Town Meeting better and educate people why it’s important that they go. With a mix of new technology (the soon-to-be-relaunched town website and email/text/voicemail blasts similar to what the School Department currently uses) and old get-out-the-vote methods (signage, posters and the like), we should make sure everyone who’s interested in town government knows when Town Meeting is and what’s at stake.

2. Modernize our budget presentation. Just because people show up at Town Meeting, however, it doesn’t mean they’re experts in what we’re doing there. The town is making progress in explaining how our annual budget is put together and where your tax dollars go (and I applaud the Finance Committee for holding a public hearing this year to answer questions, however sparsely attended it was), but the budget itself is dense and indecipherable to most residents.

This past January, I attended a workshop at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual meeting about budget best practices, and I’d like to see us move toward the guidelines provided by the Government Finance Officers Association — a sort of Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for municipal budgets. Northborough’s town administrator was one of the presenters at the workshop. That town’s budget is a real pleasure to read, with an outline of how the town comes up with the budget each year, details of the town’s fiscal policies (including how they handle free cash), and a narrative of what money is being spent on, and why. (Check it out: MMA Northborough proposed budget workshop 2018.)

The GFOA Distinguished Budget Award focuses on information, transparency and accountability. It’s a high standard, but one our taxpayers deserve. (Download a copy of the MMA Budget Best Practices workshop, including those GFOA guidelines, here: MMA GFOA Budgeting Best Practices Workshop 2018.)

3. Stand up for every article. If we’re going to do a better job explaining what people are voting on at Town Meeting, we shouldn’t stop at the budget. I’d like to see every article beyond routine annual items introduced by whatever board or entity sponsored it. If the Finance Committee wants to take advantage of our local meals tax option, they should be able to explain why, and take any questions. Same thing if the Planning Board wants a yearlong moratorium on multi-unit housing development. As selectman, I’m happy to defend an article I believe in, but that doesn’t mean I’m an expert on everything on the warrant. If we think an issue enough to put it to voters, someone should be able to explain it clearly.

These are just three ways I think we can make Town Meeting an improved experience that will better attract and inform voters. What do you think? Leave your ideas below and let’s make Town Meeting better together.

 

 

 

The final warrant for the June 4 Annual Town Meeting, including the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 budget, is up on the town website, or available as a PDF below.

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment here or on my Facebook page, or email me at kerriganforclinton@gmail.com. Hope to see you June 4!

DOWNLOAD THE 2018 Annual Town Meeting Warrant and proposed FY19 Budget HERE

I’ll be holding office hours at Coffeelands this Friday, May 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. Come on by to learn more about the upcoming Town Meeting (June 4) or to talk about the ways you think we can make Clinton better. Hope to see you there.

OFFICE HOURS

Coffeelands

50 High Street, Clinton

9 to 11 a.m.

Thanks to the Finance Committee and Chairman James Tomolo Jr. for holding a public hearing/Q&A session this Tuesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. in the selectmen’s chambers of Town Hall to talk about the Fiscal Year 2019 town budget.

It’s a great chance to learn more about where and how your tax dollars are spent, in advance of Town Meeting on June 4.

Tomolo told the Clinton Item “We’re going to listen to everyone,” and I encourage anyone interested in getting up to speed on this sometimes complicated topic before we vote on June 4.

Here’s the most recent draft budget I’ve been given, from our May 16 meeting. I can’t guarantee it’s what will be shared on Tuesday but it should be close: FY19 DRAFT budget 05.16.18

LINK to full story in Clinton Item.

What a treat to check the mail tonight and find the Strand Theatre, one of High Street’s best local businesses, looking back at me on the cover of this week’s Worcester Business Journal.

It’s a story on how small, local theaters are using a different business model — one that focuses on creating a gathering place and providing good value for customers — to compete with the giant chains. Co-owners Rob Nierintz and Bill Grady are featured, along with the Elm Draught House in Millbury.

WB Journal Editor Brad Kane introduces the story in his editor’s note. “At a time when the moviemaking business is focused on huge opening-weekend box office numbers, the Strand and the Elm offer the pleasures of a different movie-going experience,” he says. “Their ticket prices are cheaper, their food is less expensive, the auditoriums are simpler, and watching the movie is only part of the entire sensory experience.”

That sense of community is something we can build on here. To reach its full potential, High Street has to be about more than just doing business. It has to be a place where people want to be, a place that adds value to their lives.

Rob said it best when he talked about how the Strand fits into Clinton’s downtown: “There’s something very special and nostalgic about it being on this street.” I remember covering town for the Daily Item in the early 1990s, when redeveloping the Strand was a key goal for downtown. We’re lucky to have the Strand, and so many other forward-thinking business owners, on High Street, and it’s great to see that their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.

Check out the whole story HERE.

The Planning Board is holding public hearings next Wednesday, May 2, in the lower conference room of Town Hall to discuss two significant articles being proposed for the June 4 Annual Town Meeting warrant. I encourage anyone interested in either of these issues to attend and have your voices heard.

At 7 p.m., the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed temporary moratorium on multi-family dwelling units. I applaud the Planning Board for taking this issue on head first, by proposing we pump the brakes and take a year to see how recent changes to our local development patterns will affect community character, existing neighborhoods, and town infrastructure. The warrant article would call for a one-year (until July 1, 2019) moratorium on multi-family dwellings, here defined as a building containing three or more dwelling units.

At 7:15 p.m., there’s a public hearing on a proposed recreational marijuana establishments bylaw. Recreational marijuana (as opposed to medical marijuana, for which we already have a bylaw on the books) has been in the news a lot lately, so you’re probably familiar and have an opinion one way or another. As far as I’m concerned, the town overwhelmingly supported recreational marijuana in the 2016 election, approving Question 4 by more than 900 votes, and that decision should be respected. Recreational marijuana is obviously something the majority of Clintonians want, and it could provide a tremendous revenue stream for the town at a time when it is sorely needed.

But even if you oppose recreational marijuana, this bylaw is important because, without it, our town will have no say in what kind of establishments we want. We need to get this one right.

Please come out on May 2 and learn more about these two important potential warrant articles.

I was honored to be asked to read to my son Kevin’s first grade class at Clinton Elementary School this morning, part of Clinton Public Schools’ celebration of Read Across America Day. It wasn’t just a great way to share a lifelong love of reading, but an interesting look into how young people view town government.

My book was Green Eggs and Ham, not just because it is Dr. Seuss’s birthday, but because it’s about trying new things and being persistent — two things I’ve found crucial in my time as selectman. I also love the economy of phrase the book uses — Dr. Seuss wrote it on a dare from his publisher that he couldn’t do an entire book using no more than 50 unique words. It’s a great example of how less can be more, even when you’re trying to convince someone to take a chance.

After the reading, the children offered their suggestions on how they would make Clinton better. It was pretty impressive for a bunch of 7-year-olds: Suggestions included more affordable housing options, safer roads, and fun things like an ice rink and an arcade. Even at that young age, people in this town get what will make Clinton a place we can all feel at home: A diverse housing stock that offers something for everyone, regardless of income; quality public services; and places where we can gather and enjoy ourselves and each other’s company.

I left the even feeling recharged and excited about this town’s future. We have myriad challenges ahead, but if we all work together for the things we agree our town deserves, we’ll get where we want to go.

Thanks to Erin Mortimer and everyone at Clinton Elementary for putting on a great event. I hope I can come back again soon.