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<br />Select Board <br />March 16,2026 <br />Minutes <br /> <br />Discussion of Petition Article to Amend Chapter 126, Article II Trade in Fur Products <br />– Larry Ginsburg <br /> <br />The Select Board discussed a petition article to ban the sale of fur products, presented <br />by Larry Ginsburg of 191 Timberland Dr. Ginsburg was accompanied by Preyel Patel, the <br />Massachusetts State Director for the Humane Society of the United States. <br /> <br /> Ginsburg stated the measure is largely symbolic but aimed at addressing animal welfare <br />concerns, noting similar bans in other Massachusetts towns. The proposal includes <br />exemptions for tribal and cultural uses, as well as materials such as wool, leather, and <br />suede. It was noted that no fur farms or retailers currently operate in Massachusetts. <br /> <br />Town Manager Rodney Collins confirmed that the petition article will automatically <br />appear on the town warrant. <br /> <br />Discussion and Vote on Proposition 2 ½ Override – Town Manager and <br />Finance Team <br />Town Manager Rodney Collins discussed a proposed Proposition 2½ override, noting that <br />the town has reached a critical financial crossroads driven largely by increasing <br />operational costs, including those associated with wastewater projects. <br /> <br />After review, the Finance Team identified an approximate $1.5 million shortfall in <br />maintaining current service levels. Without an override, the town would face significant <br />reductions across key departments, including police, fire, DPW, and schools, despite <br />e?orts by department heads to develop lean budgets. <br /> <br />The Town Manager recommended pursuing a phased override of $1.5 million in FY27 and <br />$2.5 million in FY28 to sustain the level of services residents have come to expect. It was <br />emphasized that only the Select Board has the authority to place the override question <br />on the ballot. <br /> <br />Finance Director, Dawn Thayer, noted that this would be the town’s first override in nearly <br />30 years and reflects broader financial challenges facing municipalities, including <br />reduced state aid and rising personnel costs, which make up the majority of the town’s <br />budget. <br /> <br />While the proposal represents a worst-case scenario, o?icials stated that the town would <br />only tax what is necessary and anticipate some o?set from future wastewater revenues. <br />It was also noted that delaying or not pursuing an override could compound financial <br />challenges in future years. O?icials cautioned that failure to move forward could result <br />in substantial service reductions, which they described as concerning and undesirable <br />for the community. <br />4 <br /> <br /> <br />