March 2024
Town Administrator’s Corner
Message from the Town Administrator
The final version of the FY2025 budget has been approved by the Select Board, and we are now working to finalize the warrant for Town Meeting.
The estimated revenues are showing there will be a $544,438 increase in FY 2025 over FY 2024, for a total of $23,392,290.
Property taxes are our largest source of revenue. With projected new growth in addition to the 2.5% increase over the prior years levy limit, we are estimated to bring in $20,672,470 in property taxes. Local receipts include Motor Vehicle Excise, Department Revenue Licenses and Permits, Investment Income, etc. State Aid is what is provided by the state for Chapter 70, Unrestricted Aid, State Owned Land and Veterans Services. Other Financing Sources are the bond premiums we can use to offset payment of our outstanding debt, monies provided by the Groveland Municipal Light Department, and other minor reimbursements to offset expenses.
As you can see from the chart below the largest expenditure that the Town has is the educational budget. We have educational assessments for the Pentucket Regional School District, Whittier Technical Regional School District, and the North Shore Essex Technical School which account for about 63% of the overall budget, or $14,729,190.
The Public Safety allocation is $2,396,105. This includes the Police Department, Fire Department, Building Department and Emergency Management.
General Government is all encompassing. This category includes the Select Board, the Reserve Account, Town Administrator, Accountant, Treasurer/ Collector, Town Clerk, Economic Development and Planning Department, Municipal Buildings (which includes all of our utilities for all the buildings here in the Town Complex, as well as South Station, and the Highway Yard), Insurance (both health and property, casualty and liability) Legal Services and Technology needs.
Public Works is the Highway Department and Cemetery Division. Trash and recycling hauling and disposal are included under this umbrella as well. The Highway Department also received Chapter 90 funds and the Fair Share Apportionment funds from the State to help with roadway operations.
Unclassified consists of our retirement contribution, unemployment allocation, Medicare, Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) appropriation, Street Light charges, and Memorial Day Services.
The remaining categories are the Langley-Adams Library, debt services and Human Services. Human Services are the Board of Health, Council on Aging and Veteran Services.
As stated above, anticipated revenue is $23,392,290. If you reduce the total revenue by the educational assessments that leaves the Town $8,663,100. If you then reduce the trash and recycling costs, insurance (both health and property, casualty, liability) as well as the retirement contribution that leaves approximately $5,954,785 remaining to allocate towards the operation of the Town.
Budget recommendations were made to limit the impact on department operations and services while acknowledging the various areas of needs. If you would like to review the budget in its entirety, please see HERE for the updated digital budget book.
Please be sure to mark your calendars for Town Meeting! It is scheduled for April 29th at the Bagnall Elementary School. It is an important opportunity for residents to have their voices heard. The Annual Town Meeting Warrant will be posted no later than April 15th and will be made available online.
Upcoming Events
The Page School presents: Finding Nemo JR. Friday, April 5, 2024 from 7pm to 9pm at the Pentucket Middle High School Auditorium, 22 Main Street West Newbury, MA
Veasey Park Visioning Session. Made possible through Community Preservation funds, a Visioning Session for the future of Veasey Park will be held on April 5th from 1 PM – 4 PM at Veasey Park in the Great Hall. Please attend to share your ideas for this community resource!
Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy Visit. Friday, April 19th at the Langley Adams Library. Have you registered yet? See HERE.
5th Annual Fairytale Hayride. Pentucket Arts Foundation Saturday April 27th from 1pm to 4pm. Join us at Long Hill Orchard & Farm and experience the hayride of your dreams! In conjunction with Pentucket Alum, Brooke Snow, we bring several fairytale vignettes to life and immerse you in their world as we transport you from scene to scene in a beautiful horse (tractor) drawn carriage (trailer)! Along with the hayride, please enjoy a variety of additional activities including: Pony Rides, Bubble Play Area, Face Painting, Concessions Table
Town Meeting. Please be sure to mark your calendars for Town Meeting! It is scheduled for April 29th at the Bagnall Elementary School. It is an important opportunity for residents to have their voices heard.
What You Might’ve Missed:
Latest News
Jeff & Maria’s Ice Cream 2024 Season Open! Ice cream and the treat that is Jeff & Maria’s is always big news! Open Tuesday through Saturday 12-7PM , Sunday 12-6PM closed on Mondays. See HERE for updates.
Garden Club Annual Plant Sale Pre-Order. Spring is coming fast, and the Groveland Garden Club is excited to offer the opportunity to pre-order a selection of plants. Order now and pick up May 18 at our annual plant sale at the “Little Red Schoolhouse” Payment is due at time of order. All proceeds will go towards furthering the mission of the Groveland Garden Club. See HERE to order.
COA Newsletter. March / April 2024 can be found HERE.
Talking Trash. Don’t miss the Trash & Recycling Committee‘s 2024 Spring Newsletter. See HERE.
Congressman Seth Moulton visits Groveland. Groveland Water Department has received $959,752 in federal funds from Congressman Seth Moulton to invest in the Department’s infrastructure.
The Congressman recently stopped by and met with the Water & Sewer Superintendent, Water & Sewer Commissioners and staff. We are grateful to Congressman Moulton for his support. It was nice to showcase all the wonderful things Groveland has to offer and advocate for the many projects needed.
Volunteer/Employee Spotlight:
Meet Donna Arnold
Donna Arnold is the Assistant Treasurer/Collector & Benefits Coordinator.
Donna has been working for Groveland for nine months as the but has been a resident of Groveland for 20 years. She had previously worked in the City of Haverhill’s tax office.
The Assistant Treasurer/Collector performs a range of highly responsible duties in assistance to the Treasurer/Collector, including billing and collections, disbursement of funds, reconciliation of monthly bank statements, daily management of long and short-term cash and investments, processing payroll and debt management. Donna is also the Benefits Coordinator for the Town. This work includes research, analysis, compliance, orientation, benefits administration, enrollment, cancellations, changes, billing, auditing, and other general HR functions as assigned. This all requires a high level of organization and attention to detail.
Donna consistently exceeds expectations and shows great pride in assisting others when needed. She is always willing to help and take on new projects. She is informative, kind and patient.
When Donna is not working, she enjoys walking, shopping, vacationing, and bible study. She has two daughters who attended and graduated from the Pentucket Regional School District and are now in college at UMass Amherst and Providence College.
For information about the Treasurer/Collector’s office, please see HERE.
Town Projects
MIMAP Update. The Town of Groveland received a Community Compact IT grant for $134, 900. The Town of Groveland, as the leading community in this regional application, sought funding to upgrade the core MIMAP technology (an online and interactive GIS/mapping program) which will significantly expand application functionality and result in a new version of the product called MIMAP v3.These product enhancements will allow municipal employees to make more informed decisions and will provide the public broader access to the wealth of data collected and managed by municipalities while also taking advantage of up-to-date modern security models and web browser capabilities. We spoke all about MIMAP in the September 2023 edition.
Salem Street Dam. We are applying for a grant through the Dams and Seawall Program for permitting and design to help initiate the second phase of the project. Once completed we will seek construction funds and will be able to move forward with repairs.
River Pines Drive Sidewalks. We are currently applying for a Massachusetts Office on Disability Planning grant for engineering and design to help with the repairs needed for the sidewalk. Sam Joslin, the Building Commission/Zoning Enforcement Office, Animal inspector and ADA Compliance Officer has taken the lead on the application and we appreciate his efforts and hope we are successful.
Regional Radios for Fire Department. The Department is putting forward an application for an Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG). This is a regional effort lead by Georgetown, with Groveland, Newbury, Merrimac and Amesbury. The request is to purchase multi band portable radios, bringing all towns up to NFPA and OSHA standards. The entire project costs approximately $900,000.00. Groveland will be looking at $200,000.00 dollars’ worth of equipment. Groveland share will be $20,000.00. You will see this request in the 2024 Annual Town Meeting warrant.
MVP Project Update. The Town of Groveland was awarded a grant to improve resiliency in the Johnson Creek Watershed by designing a new culvert at Lower Center Street and designing and constructing a bioretention area to capture runoff from a Town-owned parking lot. The following project activities occurred in March: (1) continued drafting design plans for the proposed bioretention area at Groveland Park and (2) continued drafting design plans and preparing permitting documents for the proposed stream continuity and habitat improvements at Lower Center Street. For more information on the grant, see the project announcement HERE.
Department Spotlight:
Fire Department Department
Over the past five years the Groveland Fire Department has grown into a combination department, with three career personnel, including the Chief and twenty-three call personnel. The Police and Fire Departments work hand and hand creating the best Public Safety Division in Essex County. The implementation of a Full-time Chief and two career firefighters working Monday thru Friday in support of our twenty-three call firefighters has improved our service to the town residents immensely. We created a training committee, assuring all personnel are highly qualified professionals, creating confidence between our firefighters and Groveland residents. The Fire Prevention Division increased their service with personnel more readily available to accomplish services in a timely manner.
We are an all-risk department focused on preserving the past and protecting the future of those we serve. We respond to all emergencies, such as, fires, medical emergencies, hazardous conditions, motor vehicle crashes, or any other public need that our residents call us for. We will provide a safe, courteous, professional team that strives to exceed the expectations of the community and our organization.
We are a proud organization that hold the core values of honor, loyalty, pride and courage while pursuing the ideals of compassion, respect, efficiency and innovation to accomplish our mission.
Chief Robert Valentine
RValentine@grovelandma.com | (978)-971-1009
For more information, please visit the Fire Department website.
