Town Hall Ends Costly Battle Over Public Records Request

Citizens, Transparency, and the Price of Refusal

A Citizen’s Quest for Payroll Transparency

In a story that has sparked debate over government transparency and fiscal responsibility, a citizen’s simple request for a public payroll report set off a months-long and expensive conflict in Townsend. The town, rather than providing the requested records, engaged in a protracted legal struggle—costing taxpayers hundreds if not thousands of dollars in lawyer fees.

Initial Refusal and Fee Assessment

The ordeal began when the town imposed a fee on the requester for access to the public payroll records. This move was quickly challenged, and upon appeal, the Supervisor of Records in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office ruled that the fee was not permissible under state law, effectively denying the town’s attempt to charge for the information.

Continued Resistance and State Intervention

Despite the ruling, the town persisted in its refusal to release the records. State authorities intervened multiple times, ordering the town to comply with the law and provide the requested documents. In response, the town eventually released a heavily redacted version of the payroll report.

Redactions and Renewed Appeals

The redacted document was promptly appealed, as none of the redactions appeared to be justified under state law. With legal pressure mounting and the threat of litigation looming, the town finally relented, delivering the complete payroll records to the requester.

The Cost to Taxpayers and Questions of Motive

The financial toll on Townsend’s taxpayers was significant. Many questioned whether the town’s refusal was an attempt to test the resolve of the requester or if it was a politically motivated strategy designed to discourage future public records requests. Given the town’s apparent awareness that their position would not hold up in court, the move seems more obstructionist than pragmatic.

Transparency Under Fire

The controversy did not end with the release of the records. The Select Board has been actively debating new ways to restrict the release of public documents, and some members have publicly criticized citizens who file requests. This stance has raised further concerns about the town’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Where Does Townsend Go From Here?

As the town faces more challenges over public records access, the battle lines over transparency are clearly drawn. The question remains: will Townsend’s resistance to releasing public records land it in court yet again? Based on recent events, such a scenario seems likely.

Conclusion

Townsend’s costly fight over a simple public records request highlights the tension between governmental transparency and institutional resistance. As citizens continue to push for openness and accountability, it remains to be seen whether the town will change its approach—or if taxpayers will see more of their dollars spent on unnecessary legal battles.

Townsend Town Clerk Expands Service Access – Creates User Friendly Website

The Townsend Town Clerk is committed to improving community engagement and making town services more accessible for residents.

This initiative is part of a broader movement in Townsend, where several town departments—including the Police, Fire, and Library—have launched their own user-friendly websites. 

Those efforts have extended beyond websites, as other departments have established social media sites to engage with the community on services and important announcements. These platforms allow for timely updates and foster more interactive communication between residents and town officials.

These sites are designed to streamline interactions between residents and local government, allowing people to access information, request services, and complete transactions online with ease. The Town Clerk’s office is the latest to join this digital transformation, reflecting a growing commitment across departments to better serve the community.

For years, Townsend’s official municipal website was a source of frustration, often criticized by both residents and town officials for its lack of functionality and accessibility. Recognizing these shortcomings, departments began independently developing and managing their own sites over a decade ago. This transition has accelerated recently, thanks to advancements in website management software that make creating and maintaining a site straightforward for anyone, regardless of technical expertise. As a result, more departments are embracing the shift, ensuring residents have reliable and efficient digital access to essential town services.

Harrison Mayotte, Townsend’s Town Clerk, ran for office with the promise of improving transparency. He continues to make good on that promise by prioritizing open communication and ensuring residents have direct access to information about town operations. Through ongoing efforts like the revamped website and expanded digital services, Mayotte demonstrates his commitment to building trust and fostering a more informed community.

The Town Clerk's website can be found here:

Townsend Town Clerk

Why Using Multiple Social Media Platforms Matters for Reaching Wide Audiences

In today’s digital environment, information no longer flows through a single channel. Instead, it circulates across networks, platforms, and communities at high speed. To reach wide and diverse audiences effectively, organizations and individuals must communicate across multiple social media sites rather than relying on a single website or traditional print media.

Websites as Landing Zones, Not Notification Systems

Websites remain essential. They serve as stable, centralized locations where detailed and authoritative information can live. However, websites are not designed to notify people when something new happens. Most users do not regularly check websites unless prompted to do so. As a result, websites function best as landing zones—places audiences arrive after being directed there from elsewhere.

Social media platforms fill this gap. They are built for discovery, sharing, and timely updates. Posts, notifications, and algorithmic feeds push information directly to users, making social media the primary entry point for engagement rather than the destination itself.

The Decline of Print Media as a Primary Information Source

For many people, print media is no longer a practical or accessible source of information. Newspapers, flyers, and printed newsletters have limited reach, slow distribution, and little interactivity. While print still has niche value, it no longer reflects how most people learn about events, services, or ideas.

In contrast, digital information moves quickly and adapts to audience behavior. Social media allows content to be updated instantly, shared widely, and discussed publicly, making it far more effective for modern communication needs.

Information Circulates Across the Internet

Information today does not stay confined to one platform. A message may originate on one social media site, be shared on another, discussed in online communities, and eventually lead users to a website for more details. This circulation means that visibility depends on being present in multiple spaces.

Relying on a single platform risks missing entire segments of an audience. Different groups prefer different platforms, and algorithms determine what content is seen. Using multiple social media sites increases the likelihood that information will reach people where they already are.

Benefits for Organizations and Communities

Communicating across multiple social media platforms is effective for a wide range of groups:

• Businesses can reach customers, build brand trust, and respond quickly to feedback.

• Government agencies can share timely updates, public safety information, and services more efficiently.

• Social groups and non-profits can mobilize supporters, raise awareness, and build engagement.

• Educational and cultural organizations can extend learning and participation beyond physical spaces.

Each platform offers different strengths, from short updates and visuals to longer discussions and live interactions.

Opportunities for Individuals to Create Community

Social media is not only a tool for institutions. Individuals also have the opportunity to create and sustain communities. By sharing information, engaging in dialogue, and connecting people with shared interests, individuals can build networks that inform, support, and inspire others.

Using multiple platforms allows individuals to reach beyond a single audience, adapt their message to different formats, and participate in broader conversations across the internet.

Conclusion

Effective communication in the modern world requires meeting audiences where they are. While websites provide essential structure and credibility, social media platforms are the primary launch points for information. By using multiple social media sites, organizations and individuals can extend their reach, increase engagement, and foster stronger, more connected communities in an increasingly digital society.

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.