MIDDLEBORO — Voters will address water system improvements, project spending, and several routine budget items at the April 28 Town Meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Middleboro High School.

Town Meeting attendees will also consider local gun restrictions and town vehicle purchases among several other proposals.

A Special Town Meeting will take place at the same time. Spending approved during the Special Town Meeting is available the following day and will be included in the current year's budget. Spending approved during the regular Town Meeting is part of next year’s budget and available July 1.

All of Middleboro’s registered voters are eligible to attend, participate and vote.

Voters will be asked to approve the $122.4 million town budget as well as address several routine finance matters such as approving the Community Preservation Fund, setting the limits for ten revolving funds, paying Middleboro Community Cable Access Media and making debt payments, as well as several others.

Along with budget considerations, voters will also hear a wide range of water related spending proposals this year, with a particular focus on addressing PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” In 2024, one of Middleboro’s largest wells tested above a new state standard for an acceptable amount of the contaminants. The proposals are as follows:

East Grove treatment plant additional funding. At the 2024 Annual Town Meeting, voters approved spending $33 million on replacing the East Grove water treatment plant. At the upcoming Town Meeting voters will consider allocating an additional undetermined amount to the project.

“We’re actually hoping we won’t need this article at all,” said Town Administrator Jay McGrail.
“But if the bids come in and we’re a couple million dollars short, obviously we want to move forward.”

Bidding on the project begins April 24.

Well design and PFAS removal. Voters will decide whether or not to borrow $2.7 million from the Water Enterprise fund to treat raw water from five existing wells. The money would also fund the removal of PFAS from a sixth well.

“This is the next step in our planning process for ultimately what our goal is, which is to have non-detectable PFAS in our entire water system,” McGrail said.

Well replacement. Two wells constructed in the 1970s need replacement. Voters will consider spending $2 million on the project which would address water quality and the negative effects the wells have had on natural resources.

North Street water main. An engineering and design project on 6,200 feet of the North Street water main would cost $100,000.

Water line connections. Voters will consider two articles that would connect Old Colony Regional Vocational High School and 2 Main Street in Lakeville to Middleboro’s water service.

Water Commission study. Town officials have proposed forming a study group to determine if oversight of the water system should be delegated to a separate, elected Water Commission. The study group would make a recommendation to the Select Board before the Fall Town Meeting.

This year, town officials have proposed spending roughly $1.2 million on recreation projects, municipal maintenance and project studies. The proposals are as follows:

New public park. The Community Preservation Committee has proposed spending $750,000 on a new public park at 48 Wareham Street.

South Fire Station. Last year voters approved spending $30,000 on the construction of a small living space for firefighters in the South Station. This year, voters will consider spending $45,000 on a study to examine expanding the station and its capabilities.

“We need to think forward, the station needs to grow to protect the south side of our town,” McGrail said.

Wood Street Ball Field. It would cost $27,000 to install fencing, netting and other improvements to the Wood Street Ball Field. McGrail said some of the nearby properties are in “homerun territory.”

Council on Aging ceiling. The Council on Aging needs new drop-ceilings, the replacement cost is $10,000.

Skate park. Officials have introduced an article to correct an error related to grant-funding for the new skate park approved at the last Town Meeting.

Town officials have proposed spending approximately $385,000 on other projects, including an archeological survey, necessary upgrades to the town’s technology infrastructure and asphalt resurfacing.

Voters will consider two articles aimed at easing the tax burden on veterans and military personnel. One would allow military reservists to receive a reduction on property tax while on active duty overseas, the other would double a tax exemption for disabled veterans.

Dog license. If approved, an article would waive the dog license fee for residents over 70-years-old.

Gun restrictions. Voters will consider an article aimed at reversing a recent state law that bans licensed gun owners from carrying firearms in municipal administrative buildings.

The state law, named An Act to Modernize Firearms Laws, took effect on Aug. 2, 2024 and prohibits firearms on all government properties with the exemption of state-owned public land used for hunting. Municipalities have the option to also exempt municipal administrative buildings, such as libraries, police stations and Town Hall for licensed owners.

Commercial building zoning bylaw. A new zoning bylaw would require a site plan review for commercial between 5,001 square feet and 19,999 square feet. The proposal is less restrictive than most neighboring towns.

Vehicle purchases. Voters will consider spending roughly $660,000 on new town vehicles, including a tanker truck for the Fire Department.