Board Endorses PILOT Inequity Report, Ratifies Ward Deal
West Boylston Select Board endorsed a report on decades of state underpayment for reservoir land and ratified a new town administrator's contract.
Select Board · Meeting of April 15, 2026
West Boylston Select Board endorsed a report on decades of state underpayment for reservoir land and ratified a new town administrator's contract. The board unanimously adopted the Pilot Equity Subcommittee's findings, presented by Vice Chair David Ashwell, which found the state's flat, uninflated PILOT payments for Wachusett Reservoir land have cost the town an estimated $10 million to $11 million over time. The board also ratified Town Administrator Michael Ward's contract, effective June 22, and authorized a $24,647 federal justice grant for police equipment while rejecting license-plate reader cameras that were part of the original application, with the acting chief citing "privacy concerns." The town's outgoing administrator outlined a fiscal year 2027 budget that would use $50,000 to preserve school enrichment programs for one more year and could draw roughly $125,000 in one-time state snow and ice aid.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 983 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of April 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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