Town Department Heads Hold Citizens Forum to Address Resident Questions

In between fielding questions from residents at a citizens forum Wednesday night, Town Manager Richard Montuori announced that Senior Center Director Linda Brabant would be retiring after 32 years of service in Tewksbury. 

Brabant, the department head with the longest tenure in Tewksbury, will retire in March, according to Montuori. 

Wednesday night's forum was held at the Tewksbury Senior Center, and allowed residents the chance to ask their department heads questions and voice concerns.

Asked about town beautification and the possibility of removing brush obstructing sidewalks on Main Street and other roads, Montuori said improving the aesthetic of the town is also key in improving economic development. 

"Beautification of the town will be a priority going into next year's budget," Montuori said. "We are looking for ways to improve the way the town looks."

The town is also looking to purchase a roadside mower for the Department of Public Works, to help clear brush near sidewalks to improve the sidewalks for pedestrians, according to Montuori.

Using Town Meeting appropriations, the playground equipment at Funway Park and the town's schools will be replaced within the next year, Montuori said.

In response to a question received via Twitter concerning the lack of a sidewalk on Main Street near TJ Callahan's, Montuori said the town has reached out to Mass Highway to request improvements to Rt. 38, a state road. 

"That's an economic development issue as well," Montuori said. "If that road gets improved you'll see much more development along 38. We're going to keep pushing that."

Another improvement the town is hoping to make along Main Street is to remove the old police station, Montuori said.

In response to a resident concern about commuters speeding in the morning when kids are out at bus stops, Police Chief Timothy Sheehan said police are increasing radar enforcement as well as electronic speeding signs, which help collect data.

Sheehan announced that the Tewksbury Police Department received a grant to have a school resource officer at the Wynn Middle School.

Asked about the possibility of switching to automated recycling, Montuori said the town is hoping to convert to automated recycling by July 1, 2014. 

"We have a terrific recycling committee in town," Montuori said. "If we can get some more funds for them to undertake some more projects we can reduce the town's waste stream."

Several residents voiced concern over double utility poles in town, citing a specific concern on the corner of Main Street and Livingston Street.

Montuori said National Grid cannot move the poles until each carrier switches their wires over, and that the double poles at Main Street and Livingston Street would be looked at on Thursday.

A question was asked about how Tewksbury residents could get more involved with the town without necessarily sitting on a board or committee. 

Montuori said residents should start out by attending Town Meeting, and continue a dialogue with town department heads outside of meetings when questions or concerns arise. 

Volunteers are always needed at the Tewksbury Food Pantry, and volunteers are still needed for the Dec. 7 holiday celebration at the Tewksbury Public Library and other projects, he said.