[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6606228,"mediaKeyId","2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527","parentId",2973092,"title","Lakeville library to run ‘food for fines’ program for 30 days to support local pantry","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",997000,"endMs",1190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527&start=997&end=1190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527/thumbnail_997000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6606228/Massachusetts/Lakeville-library-to-run-food-for-fines-program-for-30-days-to-support-local-pantry","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606228-ef01a56c4a2018bbe85cbd350d2062f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451027&Signature=nT92-yv9EdHAOxFQxoz0~p4UWRBzLCAiQu2BMCruc1GRX92twCdUZz2dKldoedE-LDV4HtCaG~EZGHYg0~~yByvGiBAdbEiIyRslLF0GEeCHoaXzPOC40MFHKFWuPzaqXmyKdjJ1iHXlhOxbLr5PIMrc7tAThyiZx0FDBZIZfYaw8BD70GzXmUPIZ~9ZpMKVYLAkGvr20aYgb9Vhbk4Wf61NQA6~W3u8mYsh29lzc57fvbgEpOhcZAJgo0uD8APNuGwxK9QP9GixfpT8r-BJD527kEzd0of4NLq8NOw0Hvp4fimUJJVoVqa7-g-M6aFZv8QTcaSd33HL0VJJ35iyZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Lakeville, MA","date","2025-04-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Lakeville Select Board on April 9 approved a 30-day “food for fines” pilot at the Lakeville Public Library that will allow residents to clear overdue fines by donating nonperishable food to the town’s food pantry.

Library Director Jennifer Jones presented the plan: for each overdue fine a patron drops off one unexpired nonperishable item and the corresponding fine will be waived on a one-for-one basis. The program will not apply to replacement costs for lost items or to non-fine charges such as printing fees; it applies only to overdue fines. Jones told the board the library currently collects roughly $300 a month in fines; the balance remaining in outstanding fines is approximately $3,500.

The board voted unanimously to run the program for 30 days. Roll-call votes were recorded as: Hunt — aye; Plonka — aye; Carboni — aye; Candido — aye; Day — aye.

Library staff said the initiative will be coordinated with the Council on Aging food pantry and will include a donation bin at the library. Board members expressed support for the library’s outreach and for partnering with local food providers.

Why it matters: The program converts small overdue fines into donations to a local food pantry and is intended to both boost pantry resources and reduce barriers for library use among residents who may be financially strained.

Details: The library noted historic fine revenue and the volume of overdue accounts has declined since automatic renewals started; the director proposed the one-month pilot with the option to extend if community need remains.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lakeville Select Board - Dept. Heads 1 of 3, 4-9-25","oneSentenceSummary","The select board approved a one-month 'food for fines' program at the Lakeville Public Library. Residents can donate one nonperishable, unexpired item per overdue charge to have fines waived; lost items and other charges are not covered. The board approved the program unanimously.","taxTitle","Town of Lakeville, Plymouth County, Massachusetts","taxId",58187,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606224,"Select board budget hearings spotlight austerity plan, library, town clerk, parks and fire staffing debate",3569,6639000,10208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527&start=6639&end=10208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527/thumbnail_6639000.jpg","/articles/6606224/Massachusetts/Select-board-budget-hearings-spotlight-austerity-plan-library-town-clerk-parks-and-fire-staffing-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606224-4cd1d03689fe7b1e36879e4b6c6fa68c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451027&Signature=OyhdgdLRntug~1zfkhUJvgp4Vehj57V7sFbSfbWUMnbJbBfFIM1-y4xRhJ7BQWsppfKH5V3rqtZK4Ttqgw92BMxFLuUbuiYCd3Iqzqr-dXchhcw-0hpOjGUnvc3h8qeyTwmKBS-4R-pAf~0tnJt0f6awi9NSsEUVx5RDRE6orU24kel1eG4eOP9C4zGRvlcMDWgV7q5LPjx29aoFys1E9-CA0nwA2cq2AIjtk3lcCvL4t9YSLK8D15blV0N6VdwZhKJFfoVnFHqsESdh9YQwP0L16Cg0qV4PoxIvnUQfHRPKoaNUICb3s5FqwJMmnQxV2Yq1AMJjAeBxxnN63TsLtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Lakeville held extended department-head budget hearings during its April 9 Select Board meeting. Town Administrator Andrew presented an austerity-focused FY2026 draft, and department heads from the library, town clerk’s office, parks, animal control, veterans services and the Council on Aging outlined program needs and pressures. The meeting also featured a detailed exchange about fire-department staffing and the financial connection between EMS revenue and coverage levels.

Town Administrator’s proposal
Andrew told the board he reduced select board and town-administrator expenses and will not take a salary increase next year (a savings he estimated at about $5,000). He proposed not immediately refilling the executive assistant/assistant to the town administrator position (a recurring cost estimated in the packet at roughly $90,000) and moving training and postage budgets into HR and the treasurer’s budgets respectively. Andrew said he wants to limit the use of free cash and asked departments to live within reduced allocations. He also noted a proposal to fund compensated absences at town meeting to pay retiree payouts and related liabilities.

Library (Jennifer Jones)
Library Director Jennifer Jones reviewed new services (streaming, Mango Languages, genealogy computer, upgraded Wi-Fi), and said the library expects certification grant payments from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners that depend on meeting municipal appropriation and staffing requirements. Jones asked for modest materials increases (books and digital services) to meet state materials-expenditure rules; she said materials spending fell during COVID and is rebounding. Jones also presented the “food for fines” idea, which the board approved as a 30-day pilot at the meeting (see separate article).

Town Clerk (Elaine)
Town Clerk Elaine described the workload spike from expanded vote-by-mail requests for the presidential election: about 6,400 mailed requests and roughly 5,500 returned ballots in the recent cycle. She said processing, scanning and securing mailed ballots requires substantial staff time and cited needs for part-time staffing during busy cycles. Elaine said some core costs — code updates for the town’s online bylaws database and rising postage/printing costs — require modest budget increases; training and postage lines were moved administratively to HR and the treasurer.

Parks and enterprise-fund concerns
Parks officials reported capital repairs (skate park resurfacing, gazebo and roof repairs at Loon Pond Lodge, a tree-damaged roof at Clear Pond), higher electricity costs at park facilities and rising repair and maintenance needs for fields and irrigation. Commissioners flagged that the parks enterprise fund is under pressure: the fund’s operating budget shows retained earnings at roughly $43,000; indirect charges and true enterprise costs push a full enterprise-cost estimate materially higher. Commissioners and finance committee members discussed the need for a formal business plan and clearer accounting of indirect costs and revenue paths (season passes, daily admissions, concessions and rentals). Clear Pond season pass pricing and out-of-town pass policy were discussed as levers to increase revenue; the parks commissioners said they would provide a concept plan for Clear Pond improvements soon.

Animal control and donations
Animal Control staff described a shift to a single brand of higher-quality dog food to reduce digestive problems and extra cleanup at the shelter; the cost of that food is substantially higher than in past budgets. The town has a gifts-and-grants account that has been used to offset shelter costs and will be applied to vehicle purchase costs previously authorized by the board. The board encouraged using an Amazon-style wish list or targeted donation collection to support specific shelter needs.

Fire department staffing and EMS revenue debate
Fire leadership and select board members held a detailed discussion about the tradeoffs between operating a 3-person versus a 4-person staffing model. Fire leadership said that when the department has four on duty on each apparatus (the 4-person model) simultaneous-call coverage improves, callback/overtime drops and ambulance availability grows — a revenue-boosting effect because the town bills for ambulance transports. The department noted a strong correlation in recent years between staffing and the quantity of billable EMS transports; staff also cautioned that turnover (nine departures in 18 months) and an increasingly competitive labor market have driven recruitment and retention challenges. Select board and finance committee members requested more granular revenue and call-type data and urged further analysis (including a three-year call-type and revenue breakdown) to inform any decision about converting to permanent added staffing. Town staff said the FY2026 revenue estimate for EMS was set conservatively for tax-rate-setting purposes and that actuals for the current year are trending higher; the board and staff emphasized the need to be conservative in projections submitted to the Department of Revenue.

Next steps
Board members asked for a compiled tally of budget augmentation requests presented across hearings and next steps for a consolidated review. Staff and department heads will deliver follow-up details: a library and parks capital plan, a breakdown of EMS and ambulance revenue by payer and call type, and a clarified list of personnel and timing requests. Board members said they will convene a follow-up meeting to reconcile requests and finalize recommendations for the town’s FY2026 budget.

Why it matters: The hearings revealed competing priorities — cost containment and service continuity — and highlighted structural pressures from turnover, rising facility and utility costs, and program demand that will shape FY2026 budget choices.","Town staff and department heads presented FY2026 budget proposals on April 9 as the select board weighed an austerity-focused town-administrator proposal, library and clerk workload increases, parks enterprise fund stresses, a higher-cost animal shelter feed program, and a central debate over adding permanent fire-department staffing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606233,"Select board approves $33,050 change order for proposed fire station waterline design",33,955000,988000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527&start=955&end=988","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527/thumbnail_955000.jpg","/articles/6606233/Massachusetts/Select-board-approves-33050-change-order-for-proposed-fire-station-waterline-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606233-62cf89f7b4659a479e71b69383dc6c5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451027&Signature=IJB3wym~xUF2aMKW~WGjUmG0j2R2rB8M~RhUFqV70AqYhKM5f~qOH9n5xruJ9FNF32PTgm~2tuc-8fPYYVgayY8OJmsQ0a5Wi8YBFbvCkgJbrR-sBVaYHgZj4F7Z6-7926snsa-g8sSY8G9gA6GOPGQfnV8nsCg-tfCAkMt68a7VMhiZmg~qd-2ZnmRjGbh4XLNzS~LEKGMwrrZ4MkAxtMOW9zdzai8gKSgN-mspJWSEGDsXUnmETZQTQtZxKfUpw3XT1BAWs~TDad6LnWdCopUB9YVZo-OW9Iq817O2dtea8o7PGZXqQyoKdX02wFBZSckpVsCEN8KMOTr6se1NpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Lakeville Select Board approved a $33,050 change order to the design contract for the proposed fire station’s waterline on April 9.

Town staff explained the waterline work is being advanced separately from the main fire station construction—like previous practice during the police station project—to save time and costs. The change order is to the design contract with Secochio and Associates. Under municipal purchasing rules, change orders above $20,000 must be presented to the select board for approval.

Staff estimated the $33,050 change order represents a small portion of the overall fire station program. When asked if the increase equated to a large percentage of the waterline portion of the project, staff said the change is “probably, like, under 1%” of that small portion. Board members also asked whether the design could be extended to reach recreation fields; staff replied extending to the fields would add roughly $1.5 million and likely require outside grant funding.

The motion to approve the change order passed unanimously in roll call: Hunt — aye; Plonka — aye; Carboni — aye; Candido — aye; Day — aye. The board’s packet notes that by policy any change order greater than $20,000 requires select board approval.

Why it matters: Approving the change order lets design work proceed for the waterline, a prerequisite utility improvement tied to the proposed fire station. Staff flagged that more expansive waterline work (to reach athletic fields) would require far more funding and separate approvals.

Details: The contractor is Secochio and Associates; the design change is limited to services on the waterline. Town staff said other funding sources, such as federal water grants, have limited eligibility and would be harder to secure for the expanded work that would reach the athletic fields.","The Lakeville select board voted to approve a $33,050 change order to the waterline design contract for the proposed fire station. Staff said the waterline work is being separated from the larger fire station construction and that the increase is under 1% of the small portion of the overall project.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606238,"Maureen Candido elected chair and Brian Jay vice chair of Lakeville select board",271,403000,674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527&start=403&end=674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527/thumbnail_403000.jpg","/articles/6606238/Massachusetts/Maureen-Candido-elected-chair-and-Brian-Jay-vice-chair-of-Lakeville-select-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606238-718380df383b8962cbbc4b04e77084a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451027&Signature=ZosEbT6CwkMN5aI~kMNJDQ5b8ejhLLkD8aNAVr4FccQlVZNuk6Rr84HzF90FCPS9KLioOTP6AQw4QHGc0ayMyQHFvRI66JMahz7cOkg2ayi54wEHTxizc8tA7Mb1eTSYteyR-SX5KoPQf2lzJG6EzlVX8iOZ9cHFvfMb0HqlNgdJIZAnsBd1JbmJNVIsIoKTBKYU6bc53H9KcitS-t58gpaQq61fXSR0XFSHbobxCODW--p2bcy0iAUq1jwFEjfti-wTWN7pz9wS1ehOIrd7hxtMzgT06QJ2VtyV2EOhS0sD13KVj80lbpgYQbkIXkVme3OGGN2wBnbJ3gMRyezBUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the select board’s first meeting after the town election on April 9, members reorganized leadership. Maureen Candido was nominated and elected chair; Brian Jay was nominated and elected vice chair.

Nominations for chair were opened after the board welcomed newly elected members Christopher Plonka and Paul Hunt. Maureen Candido was nominated and, after a second, won the post by unanimous roll call: Hunt — aye; Plonka — aye; Carboni — aye; Candido — aye; Day — aye.

The board then nominated Brian Jay to serve as vice chair. After a second, the vice chair nomination passed on a unanimous roll call: Hunt — aye; Plonka — aye; Carboni — aye; Candido — aye; Day — aye. Candido then presided over the remainder of the meeting.

Why it matters: The chair and vice chair set meeting agendas and preside over board meetings; the reorganizational vote establishes leadership for the coming municipal year.

Details: At the meeting the board acknowledged outgoing members’ service and welcomed new members. The reorganization followed the select board bylaw requiring the board to reorganize at the meeting immediately following the town election.","After the April 9 reorganizational meeting, the Town of Lakeville Select Board unanimously elected Maureen Candido as chair and Brian Jay as vice chair in roll-call votes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606240,"Lakeville select board schedules special town meeting for June 9",62,198000,260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527&start=198&end=260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2973092-ade8aec08f7f50347cd0dd627b225527/thumbnail_198000.jpg","/articles/6606240/Massachusetts/Lakeville-select-board-schedules-special-town-meeting-for-June-9","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606240-5a8a57a55a72e4ed7e99a62b46b59fa7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451027&Signature=mYaP~rZ5bI4CTJzbVl7wmNDSl2XLyg7Ec6Jl5gqpYtZ9pJbp~ZwSQyyyRWuV8AZOKDpBD9aXg-9LvCNWDQipcbZ355Qz4SofLfiNbzQZ9Me337vaLaspPGXaqzokCSyPKkMghncXx7l74iBe5k-iaO54zYYaCMdBXJ2xbzQc4jLk9CWACOwAnBV2vJ5uGRhFPSitkBainuRzXSquF6cfHTis1mE~OezCnjVdOn2tbYUVUYwQJsFCVoBSa0zS~Tjm~zPbNdHhw9rgVkcAHucbvORj~MaRpVMZX5E6QDg7ASS9WJsTi0E52c-~u0pfJvZtAhbOIKxdqfbTGRIj4EZOAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Lakeville Select Board voted unanimously on April 9 to hold a special town meeting on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Apponequet Regional High School and to open the warrant with a closing date of April 16 at 4 p.m.

The board discussed the schedule and deadlines before the motion. Under the schedule presented by staff, articles submitted by April 16 will be routed to town counsel for review by April 28; the select board will make recommendations and vote on the final warrant on May 5; the legal advertisement will run May 22; and warrant posting and review will be conducted June 2 ahead of the June 9 meeting.

The motion to schedule the special town meeting and open the warrant was moved and seconded on the floor. After a roll call vote the board recorded the following votes: Day — aye; Candido — aye; Carboni — aye; Block — aye; Ont — aye. The chair confirmed the special town meeting has been scheduled and the board resumed the rest of the agenda.

Why it matters: The special town meeting provides a mechanism to add or act on town articles outside the annual meeting cycle; the schedule sets statutory and practical deadlines for legal review, advertising and resident notice.

Details: The select board packet and staff presentation outline the key internal deadlines and the steps that must happen between opening the warrant and the meeting itself: counsel review, the select board’s article recommendations, finalization of the warrant, and the legal notice schedule. Staff said the warrant will be posted and legally advertised in late May. The select board did not vote on any specific warrant articles at the April 9 session; it voted only to schedule the special town meeting and open the warrant for articles.

Provenance: Excerpted statements scheduling the meeting, the warrant-close date, and the roll call were recorded during the select board meeting on April 9.","The Town of Lakeville select board voted unanimously to hold a special town meeting on June 9, 2025 at Apponequet Regional High School and opened the warrant with an April 16 closing date. The board set a timeline for review, legal advertisement and final recommendations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lakeville library to run ‘food for fines’ program for 30 days to support local pantry

Select board budget hearings spotlight austerity plan, library, town clerk, parks and fire staffing debate

Select board approves $33,050 change order for proposed fire station waterline design

Maureen Candido elected chair and Brian Jay vice chair of Lakeville select board

Lakeville select board schedules special town meeting for June 9