Town Manager News and Updates

Welcome to the Town Manager News and Updates Web Page.  

Upton is very busy. At any given time, there are a large number of town projects, events, planning efforts that various departments and boards are undertaking. This page will provide residents and businesses an update on Town projects, important dates, and upcoming events in an effort to improve transparency of activities that are being undertaken by the Town. Twice each month, the Town Manager provides a report to the Select Board. Below are highlights from these reports and the full version of the Town Manager Reports are available as attachments to this page. 

August 2025

The following are highlights of the August 26^th  Town Manger Report.  A Full version of the report is attached at the bottom of this page.

Town Manager Updates

• Capital Improvement Plan – Requested and was granted a one-year extension of the Community Compact Best Practices Grant from the Department of Local Services to complete the Capital Improvement Plan.  
• DPW Building Project – The DPW Building Committee had a recent meeting to review some of the design concepts, to discuss the schedule for the project, and to prepare for the Select Board’s August 22^nd meeting.  There are also weekly project meeting with Town Staff, including the DPW Director, Town Manager, and DPW Staff, as well as representatives from Vertex (OPM) and Weston & Sampson (designer).  
• Coffee with the Town Manager – I met with eight (8) residents at my last Coffee with the Town Manager which was held on August 8^th. Issues that were raised by residents included the process for hiring a new Town Manager, the condition of Holy Angels and what the future holds for the building vs other projects in town, and questions about the TIP Project/ Round-About. Residents also expressed hope that the future Town Manager would hold regular “Coffees” at the senior center.
• Council on Aging Minivan – The Town took delivery of a handicap accessible Toyota Sienna minivan last Friday, August 22^nd.  The ESS Director is coordinating lettering and Staff is working to register the vehicle.
• Appraisal Services – Received a response for appraisal services and will execute a contract to appraise two properties the Town is considering purchasing on Milford Street. 
• Town Manager Transition – I am working to prepare a spreadsheet detailing the status of various projects that are coordinated through the Town Manager’s Office.  I’ll be sending the spreadsheet to various department heads and the Select Board for reference and for when a fulltime Town Manager is brought on board. I am also transitioning various accounts, log ins, and procedures to the incoming Interim Town Manager.

Town Department Updates

• DPW – Grove Street Bridge, hoping to go out to bid in a couple of weeks, awaiting signatures from Chapter 91.  140 water and sewer going forward and are encountering ledge. Fiske is in full swing.  Doing drainage repairs and replacement.  Message Boards are out, and residents have been notified.  Substantial complete date of around thanksgiving.  Street sweeping and catch basins done.  Summer mode, grossly understaffed.  UPS (uninterrupted power supply) systems at the Community Center and Fire Department are being installed to address lighting and HVAC issued that occur when the building loose power.  Contracts for crack sealing and paving have been executed. 
• Treasurer - Treasurer Collector Jessica Gomez and Assistant Treasurer Collector Patricia Marvelle recently attended Massachusetts Collector’s and Treasurer’s Association Annual School and both passed their exam to be a Certified Massachusetts Municipal Collector and Certified Massachusetts Municipal Assistant Collector respectively. Each certification requires 3 years of classes in order to complete the requirements needed to sit for the test
• Recreation - Kids@Play finished on Friday, August 22nd.  With many students returning to school, the Town does not have any lifeguard coverage at the beach.  The Town will continue to do water testing through Labor Day and DPW will remove the docks and buoys after Labor Day.
• Elder and Social Services - The department has posted a driver position.  The Meals on Wheels Nutrition Coordinator Al Vautour passed away in early August.  While Al was not a Town Employee and worked for TriValley, people visiting the Senior Center would not know he was not part of the Town.  He was well liked by all. Upton Resident Myra Bigelow will take over as the Nutrition Coordinator until TriValley fill the position.
• Conservation - The conservation intern has been working with volunteers on the maintenance of trails and the boardwalk on the Robertson Conservation Area.
• Land Use/ Planning/Zoning - Planning Board received a subdivision application on South Street proposing the creation of 4 lots.  The Board continues to review the 17-lot subdivision on East Street. A special permit has been submitted to create two (2) extra lots through the large lot bylaw.  The ZBA continues to review the proposed multifamily development on centennial court and is working with town officials to examine and formalize access issues.  The Economic Development Committee is starting work on an infrastructure capacity study that is funded through an Economic Development Earmark.  Community Preservation Committee is considering two articles regarding preservation of cemetery headstone preservation. Historic Commission has requested CPC funds to remove trees from 1st cemetery. The Cemetery Commission is requesting funds for restoration of headstones. The Affordable Housing Trust is wrapping up executing land agreement for 28 Hartford Ave North with Habitat for Humanity
• Library - The Library Trustees are starting to do work on a new strategic plan.
• Town Clerk - Staff is working on finalizing annual street listing. Staff is also looking ahead to working with the Town Moderator and Town Manager’s Office on coordinating the Nov 4^th Special Town Meeting and the electronic voting software.

July 2025

The following are highlights of the July 15^th  Town Manger Report.  A Full version of the report is attached at the bottom of this page.

Town Manager Updates

• Capital Improvement Plan – Work continues on the inventory of equipment and the documentation of future capital needs.  
• DPW Building Project – The first or regular monthly DPW building design meetings occurred.  Discussion topics included reviewing the space needs assessment that was done previously as the “potential expansion” space may already be occupied by equipment the town has acquired.  Field work for a site survey has been completed, and the next step is finalizing the survey plan.  Wetlands have also been flagged.  
• Town Counsel Transition – Attorney’s with MTC attended our July 10^th department head meeting to be introduced to staff and to meet with some department heads on existing legal issues. We also discussed the new fee structure and that the Select Board hoped to be able to reduce future costs by engaging legal counsel with a flat fee.  Communication and access were discussed with staff, the Town Manage, and MTC.
• Coffee with the Town Manager – I met with eight (5) residents at my July 11^th Coffee with the Town Manager. Issues that were raised by residents included concern over undertaking a new search for Town Manager, the condition of Holy Angels and what the future holds for the building vs other projects in town, questions about what roadway projects are occurring in Town, questions on the status of Grove Street Bridge, and whether there were any updates on the TIP Project/ Round-About. 
• Green Communities Street Light Conversion – The conversion of streetlights is complete.  Town Staff, the contractor, and CMRPC Staff are working to finalize reporting required by the Green Communities Grant and final transfer of equipment from National Grid.

Town Department Updates

• DPW – Grove Street Bridge, hoping to go out to bid in a couple of weeks, awaiting signatures from Chapter 91.  140 water and sewer going forward and are encountering ledge. Fiske is in full swing.  Doing drainage repairs and replacement.  Message Boards are out, and residents have been notified.  Substantial complete date of around thanksgiving.  Street sweeping and catch basins done.  Summer mode, grossly understaffed.  UPS (uninterrupted power supply) systems at the Community Center and Fire Department are being installed to address lighting and HVAC issued that occur when the building loose power.  Contracts for crack sealing and paving have been executed. 
• Treasurer Collector – 1^st Quarter property tax bills due 8/1.  Split payroll complete. Staff will be attending trainings and office hours will be posted. 
• Elder and Social Services – The department hired a new department specialist and driver.  An intern will be starting in the fall. Formula grant increased to $16 per senior for FY26. Requests for financial aid due to hardships have increased and staff has been very busy evaluating requests 
• Conservation - Regarding 41 Milford, the Commission met last week and approved new order of conditions for 41 Milford sewer project.  The Commission’s Order of Conditions will be filed on Monday, July 14^th. An intern has started in the department and is working on trail maintenance 
• Building – Interim Building Commission Ron DiSantis has officially retired with Jon Atchue taking on the role after being certified as a building official.  New construction has been slowing down. Majority of permit work is decks, finished basements, additions. Planning/Zoning - ZBA is reviewing a proposed multifamily development on centennial court and is working with town officials to examine and formalize access issues.  Staff is working on Year-end grant reports. Planning Board has picked up, two large lot applications.  East Street Easters, 17 lots. Lots of issues with Zoning Bylaw and CMRPC is going to be doing an assessment of the bylaw.  West Upton visioning going, next meeting July 30th.  Plumbing Inspector is retiring August 8th.
• Library - Visits to the department are busy but stable.  Filled an existing vacancy.  207 kids signed up for summer reading program.

June 2025

The following are highlights of the June 17^th  Town Manger Report.  A Full version of the report is attached at the bottom of this page.

Town Manager Updates

• Capital Improvement Plan – Kick-off meeting with Town Staff was held with Department Heads on June 3^rd. The Collins Center is working with staff to inventory town buildings and equipment.  Staff have been asked to submit capital project requests by July 18^th.  
• DPW Building Project – We are finalizing the contract for designer services.  Weston & Sampson was at the DPW Facility to do surveying.
• Town Counsel Transition – I have been working with attorneys from KP and Mead, Telerman & Costa (MTC) on transitioning of town counsel services.  This involves status updates and working with staff to identify what projects can be wrapped up by KP and what can be handed over to MTC. For urgent legal issues, such as advising on property acquisition and personnel issues, I have engaged directly with MTC.  
• Town Hall Meeting Room Improvements – Town IT Staff and the Contractor have been doing testing to resolve issues with video recording quality. If issues persist the next step will be to replace the computer which was repurposed from the prior AV set up. 
• IT Grant Closeout – With the completion of the Town Hall Meeting Room improvements and with MURSD’s completion of their project, I am working to complete reporting required by the grant prior to the Fiscal Year deadline.
• Town Hall Parking Lot Project - The reconstruction of the parking lot is in full swing. Asphalt has been removed, and the binder course will be installed later this week.  The project will be completed prior to June 30^th.
• Memorial Elementary School Visit - Third graders from Memorial School visited various town offices at Town Hall, the Upton Community Center, and the Historic Society Museum at the Risteen Building. 
• Coffee with the Town Manager – I met with eight (8) residents at my June 13^th Coffee with the Town Manager. I was joined by Sergeant Rankins who discussed the Town’s Silver Alert Program. Issues that were raised by residents included why the town does not have a leaf recycling/curbside pick-up program, process for requesting removal of trees in the right-of-way, disruptive behaviors of children in the UCC parking lot, the status of Fiske Ave reconstruction, and the status of Russell Ave/ Russell Court. 

May 2025

The following are highlights of the May 13^th  Town Manger Report.  A Full version of the report is attached at the bottom of this page.

Town Manager Updates

• DPW Building Project Designer Services – Weston & Sampson was the only firm to respond to the advertisement for Designer Services for the DPW Building Project. W&S had previously worked on the initial feasibility study for DPW renovations and expansion.  The DPW Building Committee is expected to meet on May 20^th to hear the proposal.  
• Town Counsel Services RFP – Two responses for a Request for Proposal for Town Counsel Services were received and interviews have been tentatively scheduled for May 27^th with the Select Board, pending confirmation by the Board.
• Route 140 Paving – Due to rain, paving of Rt. 140 has been delayed.  Police Chief is awaiting a new scheduled date for paving to start. Originally paving was to occur mid-May.  
• Town Hall Meeting Room Improvements – All equipment has been installed, and IT staff has been trained on the equipment. The next step will be to discuss with the Board various sound deadening treatments such as rugs and wall treatments. 
• Fiske Ave Reconstruction – Preparation work has commenced, and the project is on schedule for removal/trimming of trees in mid-May with construction starting towards the end of May.
• Rt. 140 Culvert Project - The Rt 140 Culvert Project is on track and programed for 2026.  This project is important since it incorporates the installation of water and sewer pipe in coordination with the larger Water/Sewer Infrastructure Project the town is undertaking.
• Rt 140 TIP Project - In a call with CMRPC, MassDOT Staff said that the 140 TIP Project schedule has slid.  It was originally scheduled for 2026 five years ago, and they said last year it slid to 2029.  This year the project was moved up to 2028.  CMRPC and MassDOT also stated it was their opinion that funding for this project was not in jeopardy as it does not involve discretionary funds. Separately, MassDOT has indicated that the 75% design plans are schedule to be complete by July 28, 2025.   MassDOT felt that scheduling a meeting in late September would be appropriate. They also said that the current advertisement date for the project is November 13, 2027. 
• Rt. 140 TIP Project Street Lighting Fixtures – MassDOT has requested that the Town of Upton reconsider the Board’s selection of Spring City light fixtures.  Feedback on the fixtures from MassDOT was that they are top heavy and that they are prematurely rusting.  MassDOT asked if the Town would support the use of the Holophane fixtures, which were on the lighting cut sheet the Board and Historical Commission reviewed.  Discussion of this request will be placed on a future agenda. 

Town Department Updates

• Police – Lt. Michael Benjamin notified the Police Chief that he will be retiring effective June 1st.  Lt. Benjamin has spent 33 years with the department.  The Chief is developing a plan for filling the lieutenant position, and any other positions that may become open as a result.
• Treasurer Collector – Water and sewer bills were mailed to users and are due June 3^rd. The Treasurer reviewed the end of year calendar with Dept Heads and noted that end of year payroll changes are due June 6th.
• Assessor – The Department’s intern completed work for the semester which consisted of updating trail maps and assessor maps. MDM 1 for reimbursement has been submitted and approved by DOR.  Staff is working to capture new growth based on new permits that have been issued, 5 new lots that were created off South Street, new road named Sawmill Brook Lane, and construction which is continuing at Cobbler’s Creek condo complex.
• Elder and Social Services Department – The department has hired a third driver, Jay Nolan, who completed training recently. The Friends of Upton Seniors is now active and have so far raised $3K.  Social Services has been very busy and has been working on finishing heating assistance programs applications and now working to assist Kids@Play scholarships. On April 30^th, 75 seniors and visitors attended the Police Spaghetti Dinner). Last Upton Men’s Club dinner of the season will be held on Friday, May 19^th. Over the course of this past year, seniors and students from the Memorial School have been pen pals. On May 21st students and seniors will met for the first time at the Memorial School. June is Alzheimer’s Month and will work with Police to encourage the Silver Alert Program.  The Department is seeing more people participating in the Memory Cafe and staff is engaging with more families for support.
• Library –The Library is changing its afternoon programs and will host three clubs in the afternoon: a chess club, a crafting club, and a gaming club.  The library is also advertising for a part-time library assistant to fill an existing vacancy.
• Human Resources – HR is working with Rec Director for the hiring and onboarding 50 seasonal employees to for Kids@Play summer program.  Open enrollment runs May 1st through June 2nd. For Staff, this is a good time is to update beneficiary forms and submit a hard copy to HR.
• Land Use and Inspectional Services
  • Planning – A Definitive Subdivision Plan for East Street Estates was submitted to the Planning Board considering of 17 lots.  It is anticipated the Planning Board will schedule the initial public hearing for Tuesday, June 10^th.
  • Building - 12 active construction permits. Numerous inquiries into Accessory Dwelling Units.  Jon Atchue was appointed as Conditional Building Commissioner for the Town of Upton by the Building Official Certification Committee.
  • Conservation – The Commission is inspecting a number of potential vernal pools to determine their status.   Working with Claflin Farm on their Certificate of Compliance.  Staff and the Commission are continuing to work on the implementation of Stormwater bylaw.
  • 47 Main Street (Upton Apartments 40B) – Soil tests are going to performed on the site over the next week or two. A formal application has not been filed at this time, though it is anticipated before the end of summer.

April 2025

The following are highlights of the April 1st and 15th Town Manger Reports.  Full version of the reports are attached at the bottom of this page.

Town Manager Updates

• DPW Building Project OPM Services – The DPW Building Committee selected Vertex as the OPM for the project.  I am working with Vertex representatives to finalize a contract, and we are working on a Project timeline for selecting a designer for the project.
• FY 2026 Budget – Finance Committee Recommended FY 26 Budget is complete.  It will be posted on the website following the Select Board Meeting once the Annual Town Meeting Warrant is executed.
• Town Meeting Clickers – Staff has continued to meet to discuss logistics for implementing clickers at town meeting.  Due to the three MURSD capital articles, we are planning for a spill-over room for added capacity.  The Town of Grafton has agreed to provide extra clickers for our Town Meeting.
• Town Hall Meeting Room Improvements – All equipment has been acquired, and the contractor is working to finalize engineering and programing for the equipment.  Equipment will be delivered May 5^th and installation will occur May 6^th through the 8^th with training tentatively scheduled for May 9^th 
• Mill Pond Dam Repairs – The DPW Director and the Town’s engineer has evaluated the current status of the structure for Mill Pond that is adjacent to Milford Street (adjacent to Fin and Feather). When the water levels reduce in the summer, the Town will replace the top board and examine how the boards sit on the concrete dam structure.  They will repair the concrete as best as possible before replacing the boards to keep the water level higher.  This will be a temporary fix and eventually the Town will be faced with a larger damn repair/replacement project.

Town Department Updates

• Town Clerk – Dog License Renewals will now incur a late fee, dogs need to be licensed each year by April 1^st. The Town Annual Election is May 6^th.  There is one contested race, Library Trustee.
• Treasurer Collector – Property and Personal Property Taxes are due May 1^st. Stipends for elected officials will be processed on April 28^th for payment on May 2^nd.
• Board of Health – Working on permitting food truck vendors for the Upton Men’s Club 4^th of July Festival. The annual hazardous waste day will be June 7^th from 8 am to Noon at the DPW Facility. Due to cuts in federal aid, it is anticipated that the services the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health provides may be reduced or cut.
• Elder and Social Services Department – The ESS Department has filled its vacant van driver position. The ESS Dept. continues to support residents in need and there has been an uptick in the need for services over the recent weeks. The first Senior Soiree was held last week and was sold out.  75 people attended and people are already planning the next one. 
• LUIS Department – Last week the Town held a public forum to discuss and solicit input on the town common and streetscape within the Upton Center area. ZBA activity has slowed mainly due to the change in state law for accessory dwelling units.  There has been a noticeable increase in inquiries from residents now that units are allowed by right. LUIS Staff attended a training on battery storage hazards last week.  There was general warning on purchasing used devices with batteries such as scooters and that there is an increase in fires resulting from storage in garages.  EDC is requesting to be placed on the agenda at the April 15^th Select Board meeting to review draft plans for their study of Holy Angels and associated land including the gravel lot and the Thompson block.