Public Hearing April 14th to Change Building Lot Size to 1-Acre

The Townsend Planning Board has a meeting scheduled for Monday April 14, 2025 at 6:30PM. There is a Public Hearing scheduled as part of that meeting at 7:10PM. There are Zoning By-Law amendments being discussed. One of them has garnered some debate amongst the public and some public officials.  The Planning Board is proposing that minimum size of a residential lot be reduced from 2-acres to 1-acre. The hearing is a step in the process for the final approval of the voters at the Annual Town Meeting on May 6th.

Housing Shortage

The change in lot size is needed to provide an opportunity to respond to a severe housing shortage in Townsend, Massachusetts, and the country. The change would also make a big dent in housing costs. The average cost of building a new home in Massachusetts is skyrocketing to well over $600,000. Part of that cost is the cost of land. Building a home on a 1-acre lot is much more affordable than a 2-acre lot.

Septic and Water Questions

Some opponents express concern that a 1-acre lot creates a problem for placing septic tanks and water quality. Townsend is 100% septic with no wastewater treatment plant. Supporters report that there is no public health issue on either point. There are many older homes along Main St. including in the Historic Districts and in the center that are less than half an acre and many less than a quarter acre. There are no concerns about septic on these properties. The Nashoba Board of Health and the Townsend Board of Health routinely work with property owners to design systems to take in consideration of many issues including conservation restrictions. Those involved with these issues on a daily basis also explain that passing this change would continue to protect both septic issues and aquifer concerns as building permits would not be approved with adequate protections. The laws already exist for these issues.

Need for Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is another issue that would be improved with a smaller lot size. Due to the high cost of building a house, affordable housing remains unavailable. Developers are asked to build home to fit into the state's Affordable Housing guidelines. They are not coming forward to build homes that the current Townsend demographics need due to the cost. A 1-acre lot provides an incentive to build affordable homes for the residents of Townsend.

Townsend Character or Snob Zoning

Some people express concerns about changing the character of the town. Going back to the many homes and properties along Main St., the town is seen by those traveling through it from an historic lens with many older homes on smaller lots.

During the 1970’s and 1980’s many communities, including Townsend, enacted strict zoning laws to discourage development. Timberlee Park gave rise to scorn by many long-term Townsend residents leading to limited building in the decades that followed. Those communities that enacted these policies are paying the price today by experiencing housing shortages and prices that force many of those who fought for restricted development to leave the communities they loved. They can no longer afford to live there.

Theories and Myths

There were also theories that increasing development would put a burden on budgets, especially regarding schools and public safety. These have been proven to be myths. More development has been proven to reduce the burdens on existing taxpayers by adding to the tax base. Townsend’s population and new building has been stagnant for several years but still demonstrating pressure on the town’s budget. 

Good for the Town

Amending the Zoning By-Law to reduce the building lot size to 1-acre would be good for Townsend in multiple ways. Attend the Public Hearing on April 14th and vote at the Annual Town Meeting for this important zoning change to bring Townsend into the future.

Townsend Highway Wants Used Cooking and Motor Oil

Homeowners are Challenged to Properly Dispose of Oils

Many people change their own oil on their vehicles. They also change oil on lawnmowers, generators, and other gas powered equipment large and small. These same people struggle to find an appropriate way to dispose of the used oil. 

Disposal containers are sold at local retailers and for a fee they will dispose of used motor oil in the containers. A few people may decide to improperly dispose of the oil by dumping it. Neither one of these choices is necessary.

Used cooking oil is also a problem for disposal for those who enjoy fried food including in a deep fat fryer. This oil often finds it's way into the weekly trash. It is also poured down the drain leading to potential problems with septic systems. These choices are both messy and unnecessary for disposal of cooking oil. 

Win-Win Solution Available to Dispose of Cooking and Motor Oil

The Townsend Highway Department uses used oil, including motor oil and cooking oil, to fuel the heating system at the Highway garage. They collect used oil from residents on a quarterly basis. This helps to keep the heat on at the garage at reduced cost (saves the taxpayers money). It also reduces the amount of trash being disposed of, especially as all of this oil is inappropriate for disposal in residential trash. The acceptance of used motor oil saves residents the cost of commercial or retail disposal of the oil.

Used Oil Collection Schedule

The Highway Department has the following dates scheduled for acceptance of used oil:

    September 7th, 2024

    November 2nd, 2024

    January 4th, 2025

    March 1st, 2025

    May 3rd, 2025

The hours for the donations are from 8am to 12pm. The location is at the rear of the Highway garage at 177 Main St., Townsend. 

The Highway Department asks that the oil be brought down there in minimum one gallon containers which will be returned to the donor.

Upcoming Public Hearings Regarding Nashoba - THIS WEEK

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS CONCERNING

Nashoba Valley Medical Center

200 Groton Road, Ayer, MA 01432

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (the “Department”) has received notification of Steward Health Care System’s intent to close Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer, MA. The Department will conduct public hearings pursuant to 105 CMR 130.122(D) in-person and virtually by conference call in order to promote public access. These hearings will not be adjudicatory in nature, but rather public forums for the presentation of any comments which may be relevant to the Department’s consideration of the proposed change.

The in-person hearing is scheduled for: 

Date: Thursday, August 15th , 2024

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Parkway, Devens, MA 01434

 

The virtual hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 19th, 2024, 6:00 PM.

Members of the public and other interested parties may join the hearing by phone using the following information:

Date: Monday, August 19th , 2024

Time: 6:00pm

Phone Number: 800-593-9954

Passcode: 3281952

Written comments concerning this matter may be submitted to the Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification, Attn: Licensure Coordinator, 67 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752 or by email  to HFLLicenseAction@Mass.Gov. Comments will be accepted up to midnight on August 19th. All written comments submitted to the Department may be posted on the Department’s website and released in response to a request for public records.

Tricare for Life Fraud Alert

 Tricare has announced that there is a phishing scam targeting military retirees who are Tricare for Life beneficiaries.

Tricare for Life is the insurance military retirees can sign up for when they become Medicare beneficiaries for their Part B claims.

The phishing scam sends emails telling beneficiaries they need to call a number because their benefits will be expiring due to nonpayment of their premium. 

It is easy enough for a retiree to fall for this scam as their is a payment associated with the insurance. The payment is deducted from the retiree's social security just like other Part B plans. The retiree could easily believe that there was a problem with the deduction and make the call risking getting cught up in a scam to provide their financial information.

Retirees and other Tricare for Life beneficiaries should NOT respond to these notices. They should follow the guidelines provided by Tricare.

Follow this link to the Tricare site --- Trocare for Life Scam. 

There are many scams out there targeting seniors. Stay safe and avoid emails advising you of an urgent financial matter. When unsure about a message, contact your referenced financial institution through a number you have for them. Do not use the number or link in the email. If there is a problem with a financial account, you can find out by calling them directly.

Kimball's Ice Cream Seeking New Crew to Finish the Season

 

Looking for a job? All Kimball's locations seeking new crew to fill in for those who are heading off to college. 

Check-in at any Kimball's or go to their website.

Greenville Rd Closure, Recycling Center Access and Hours Update

PLEASE NOTE: None of his information is available on the Townsend website. 

Many residents have gotten the word that there is bridge construction on Greenville Rd. requiring part of the road to be closed. The closure began on July 29, 2024.  There is no announced end date on the closure.

Those heading up to the Country Mile or towards Kimball's in New Ipswich will need to seek alternate routes.

The road up to the Recycling Center will be open at least on the days the Recycling Center is open. Here is the updated schedule for the Recycling Center for this calendar year:

BREAKING: Nashoba Valley Hospital Slated to Close by End of August

 Steward Healthcare, the embattled owner of multiple hospital systems in Massachusetts, has announced the closure of two of its facilities, Nashoba and Carney Hospitals.

Nashoba Hospital has provided healthcare to the Nashoba Valley for generations. The Governor's office stated that plans are in place to assist patients who are using these hospitals to transition their care to other facilities. Those who infrequently use the facility will need to plan to use other local hospitals such as Emerson, Leominster, or St Joe's in the future.

The closure comes as no surprise to many local residents who have listened to the news and rumors for many months. Many patients and healthcare providers had already moved on. 

The loss of Nashoba Valley Medical Center will be felt by locals for both their healthcare and employment. 

The financial outlook for healthcare has been dim in the healthcare industry. Hospital systems have been consolidating and regionalizing for many years. The business side of healthcare has been impacted by low insurance reimbursements and the need to keep healthcare affordable. Patients in rural areas have been traveling farther and farther for their healthcare needs.