Sign offenders on notice

By Jonathan Cook
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE -The Board of Selectmen heard an update on the Master Plan process, talked sign bylaw enforcement with Building Commissioner Erik Wight, and re-appointed Interim Town Administrator Michael Racicot at their regular meeting Jan. 4.

Master Plan

“Where people go to a lot of meetings, it can be difficult for people to come to any of our meetings,” said Master Plan Steering Committee Vice Chair Sandra Gibson-Quigley who also serves as the Planning Board Chair.
As a result, the Master Plan process will involve reaching out.
She said that the Master Plan has a web page on the town’s site where chapters will be updated as the process moves forward.
An analysis of strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats was developed from input at the recent visioning workshop staffed by consultant Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB).
An economic development position may need to be created in order to work on making the plan a reality because a lot of the input calls for bringing business in, Quigley said.
However, she added that some of the priorities of the public are contradictory. For example, she said people want more business on Route 20 without increasing traffic congestion.
She invited the board to provide input as the process moves ahead.

Tickets coming for sign violations

Building Commissioner Erik Wight said he has a remedy for the plethora of sign complaints.
“Give me a hell of a lot more tickets,” he said. “I have an on switch and an off switch,” he added, telling the board that with their direction, he would go that route.
However, “I can have a business community with a petition in here to get rid of me,” he pointed out. “I’m willing to do that,” but he said he needed the board’s backing.
The board stressed that there were flagrant sign violations that need to be addressed.
Wight countered that warnings tend to work only while he’s around.
After he goes, signs tend to reappear. Illegal signs cost the violator $25, he said.
Bylaws can be read on the town Web site.

Racicot gets indefinite term at helm

Because Interim Town Administrator (TA) Michael Racicot’s contract will end before the position can be filled, the board voted to extend his tenure beyond the Charter directed deadline of Jan. 13.
By Charter an interim “shall” be appointed no more than a pair of consecutive three month terms. The vote went three to two with Selectmen Tom Creamer and Ted Goodwin voting against.
Creamer took issue with the fact that an interim TA is prohibited from exceeding the sixth months in the Charter.
However, Racicot came armed with an opinion from Town Counsel Kopleman and Paige.
The opinion states that the word “shall” in describing the term limit, in this case, is directive rather than mandatory. The opinion is based in case law.
Creamer called this interpretation “legal activism.”
Goodwin pointed out that the Interim town administrator is paid $500 per day, money that might be saved by putting the responsibilities on the department heads.
However, Selectman Scott Garieri said that with so many projects underway, it could be penny wise and pound foolish to go without an administrator.
Selectman Hal White pointed out that by Charter, the town cannot go without a town administrator.
As a result, Racicot will remain indefinitely “until such a time a permanent town administrator is appointed.”