The Town of Middleborough is dedicated to providing the highest quality of services to its residents through strong leadership, progressive governance and innovative strategies. We are committed to ensuring opportunities for recreational, social and economic development while preserving our rich heritage.

Customer

Service

Fiscal

Responsibility

Technology

Quality of Life

Infrastructure

Building relationships with taxpayers

Goal: Redesign Town’s website

Update usability and accessibility of the Town’s web presence, improving the quality and delivery of information for constituents

Goal: Implement online permits in Health Department to streamline process and increase responsiveness

Apply for permits on the internet

Track progress of permits online

Eliminate redundant data entry

Goal: Increase number of online building permit application users

One-on-one training sessions with contractors and residents

Set up online accounts for contractors

Goal: Continue to improve customer service in municipal departments

Survey residents

Create efficiencies

Implementing sound financial policies and procedures

Goal: Present a FY19 balanced budget without the use of one-time reserves

Conservative in projecting reserves

Expend free cash on one-time expenditures

Goal: Enter into Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Fund Trust Agreement

Appropriate $200,000 from free cash into Trust

Monitor quarterly reports on account and investment activity

Goal: Accumulate reserves

Appropriate a portion of free cash to Stabilization Fund

Goal: Explore a dedicated revenue source for town-owned building improvements and for the construction of a new Department of Public Works Facility

Work with finance team, finance and capital planning committees and Bond Counsel

Goal: Implement third year of four-year Capital Plan

Work with finance team, finance and capital planning committees and Bond Counsel

Work with Capital Planning Committee for implementation

Coordinate with department heads on procurement of items and projects

Provide funding for implementation

Use a portion of free cash for capital projects under $100,000.00 instead of borrowing

Goal: Reduce debt burden

Explore paying down debt in FY18

Goal: Implement cash receipts portion of the Treasurer’s software application

Install in Building and Health Departments

Goal: Upgrade utility billing application in Treasurer/Collector’s office to increase efficiency

Convert databases to new programs

Configure interfaces for data exchange with existing applications

Ensuring a safe community

Goal: Provide reliable water supply for firefighting in non-hydrant locations

Purchase and train all personnel on the new Tanker Truck

Goal: Provide Firefighters with safe breathing apparatus

Purchase and train all firefighters on new state of the art Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Goal: Provide more effective and efficient underwater search capabilities

Install GPS, Chartplotter, and SONAR on Rescue Boast and train all personnel

Provide on duty group training in: tourniquets, combat gauze, chest seals and rapid extrication

Goal: Provide more effective and efficient aerial search capabilities

Purchase and train selected staff on department Drone

Goal: Develop strategies to reduce, solve and prevent crime and the fear of crime

Proactive initiatives and crime specific enforcement and investigation

Maintain and utilize law enforcement partnerships

Evaluate and adjust critical incident planning

Goal: Maintain community trust and partnerships

Strengthen community input and partnership through the Police Advisory Team

Outreach to at-risk populations

High visibility department community participation and education

Goal: Identify and utilize programs that reduce substance abuse in the community

Maintain a highly functioning narcotics unit

Partner with organizations that promote education and awareness

Provide any function or service to the community that reduces substance abuse

Active participant in Middleboro Matters Coalition

Goal: Develop and retain quality law enforcement professionals

Increase training and professional development

Ensure physical safety and mental wellness of department members

Encourage operational and administrative input and communication within the department

Goal: Maximize organizational efficiency and accountability

Strive for Police Department certification

Research and seek out additional funding for programs via grants and other means

Evaluate current staffing and delivery of police services impact on budget

Organize and prepare for transition to new facility

Goal: Utilize technology and data collection

Modernize operational services

Maintain a social media presence

Increase data sharing with the community

Creating an “aging friendly” community

Goal: To improve and increase existing services to meet unmet needs

Explore scheduling van transportation to Plymouth and other area access to BID Plymouth and other healthcare providers in Middleborough

Create an outreach plan for housing residents to increase awareness and access to COA services

Consult with nutritionists to evaluate menus, and provide staff and community training in improved nutrition with specific emphasis on aging

Explore offering instruction to elders in technology in collaboration with the public school youth

Goal: To develop additional resources for those retiring or considering retirement

Develop an early evening “retirement series” with guest speakers to address the varying issues that need to be considered

Explore collaboration with other agencies, including Massasoit and Public Library, to expand programing

Goal: To provide additional resources to enable residents to prepare their choices and help identify helpful resources

Develop and Distribute an Elder Resource Guide in print and electronically

Develop a Long-Term Planning Guide to assist in all the decisions of the last quarter of life

Affirming our dedication to public health

Goal: Monthly or bi-monthly posts from the Health Department about a specific health care topic from a social media platform such as the Town’s current Facebook page

Post on Facebook

Goal: Seek out and apply for various grant funding opportunities that support projects in the area of health, safety and the environment for the Town of Middleborough

Application underway for a community toxic use reduction grant for $20,000.00

Goal: Continue to provide at home nursing care and well-being checks to elderly and other residents as necessary, while expanding outreach and health education efforts

Utilize grant funds received to start up and maintain a wellness check program within the Town

Goal: Continue implementing the Abandoned Housing Initiative program in partnership with the Attorney General and area receivers

Reach out to the public and other municipal departments to find other possible candidate properties for this program

Continuing our commitment to caring for animals

Goal: Obtain a storage container to secure emergency equipment and extra kennels to make room for a shelter for proper use

Solicit cost estimates

Goal: Increase the number of attendees to the annual Rabies Vaccine Clinic

Increase in advertising, plan clinic earlier to get the word out

Goal: Organize a microchip clinic offered for dogs residing in the Town of Middleborough

Discuss the Oak Point Pet Club and find a vet to assist in the clinic

Goal: Animal Shelter repairs; leak in roof, paint (interior and exterior), new back door, repair to wooden structures/gutters on shelter exterior

Secure estimates and inspections to establish the priority of the structures and cost

Goal: Establish dog bite awareness and prevention within our schools

Reach out to schools in town to give presentations regarding dog bite prevention and awareness

Goal: Public education of animal safety via posters, flyers and educational discussions given to all members of the community

Hosting a table at Krazy Days with educational information as well as answering questions from the public

Serving our Veterans

Goal: Study the possibility of providing veteran family specific short-term housing

Locate potential properties

Seek out individual and/or groups to fund this project

Investigate any legal ramifications of having such a program with the Town

Goal: On a quarterly basis, organize “Vet-Togethers,” a social event where veterans can come together, share camaraderie, receive information, and network with other veterans

Outreach to appropriate sites to host gatherings

Outreach to Veteran Service Organizations to provide information and other resources

Outreach to different organizations to provide funding

Goal: Create a 350th Celebration Committee

Solicit volunteers from the community to serve

A commitment to our library

Goal: The Public Library will conform to the standards set by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

The Town will appropriate a budget which meets the Municipal Appropriation Requirement (MAR), the Director will ensure that the Library meets all other requirements

Goal: The number of programs offered to families and children will increase 5% over the previous year

Assess the current schedule and attendance levels of weekly store hours and make modifications and/or increase to ensure goal is met

Continue to work with the schools and community groups to provide quality literacy programs for Middleborough children.

Implement all aspects of the Mind in the Making grant including development of circulating kits, parent and professional resources and a new outdoor play space for the library.

Goal: Services to Young Adults

Advocate for additional hours for the part-time Youth Activities Librarian position.

Goal: Invest in the maintenance and improvement of the Library building

Establish Capital plan for ongoing maintenance to help prevent future degradation of the building and its appearance

Seek quotes for:

Water penetration in lower level storage room

Water/ice issues over Peirce Street entrance

Window repairs for both Main and Children’s Libraries

Mold growth in Children’s Library

Water leaks through roof membrane over Main library computer area

Fostering economic development

Goal: Foster Economic development: Making Middleborough “business-friendly”

Review the current Middleborough planning/zoning development process steps available on-line

Update direction for business developers (in partnership with planning)

Research and obtain information/data/workforce, etc. on Middleborough that is important to developers to identify on the OECD website

Investigate and work to introduce new business-friendly components for Middleborough where possible

Facilitate economic development on Route 28 and in the Route 495 business corridor

Goal: Implement Downtown Marketing Analysis Recommendations Institute Downtown Working Committee

Focus on the revitalization of Downtown, i.e. parking, lighting, trash containers, streets and sidewalks, facades, and develop solutions for unoccupied spaces

Goal: Develop a guide to local permitting

Form staff workgroup and study existing processes

Assemble work group results and review/organize for inclusion in draft publication

Create final document and distribute

Goal: Create an inventory of available commercial properties linked to the Economic and Community Development department website Identify and utilize online commercial property listing resources

Collaborate with local realtors for real-time listing information

Position the information on Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) webpage

Goal: Assist Middleborough on the Move in the development of a Community Development Corporation (CDC) Convene a meeting of the local stakeholders/groups to discuss the formation of the CDC

Develop components needed, goals, mission, board composition, funding, etc. of the CDC

Contact successful CDC’s/state TA/consultants for workshop/informational presentation to stakeholder groups on forming CDC’s

Goal: Promote Oliver Estate as historic destination Complete roof construction project

Complete bathroom handicap accessibility project

Construct parking area

Complete septic system installation

Complete handicap ramp accessibility project

Work in partnership with the Oliver Estate Historical Society in hosting historical events

Pursue grant funding and Community Preservation Funds (CPA) for exterior and interior renovation projects

Planning for the future Goal: Promote tourism that fosters economic development Work in partnership with the Tourism Committee on community events

Work in partnership with Middleborough on the Move in supporting “Krazy Days” event

Goal: Revise Planning Subdivision Rules and Regulations Maintain an open dialogue with contractors and residents

Seek public input

Goal: Streamline permitting process Update Planning Department procedures, rules and regulations

Improving and expanding our parks and public lands

Goal: Build a storage building for Park Department equipment

Initiate procurement process for the construction of a 40’ X 80’ storage garage

Goal: To find new athletic field space for recreation

Explored installation of football field and parking area at Wood Street site

Goal: Improve Park and Recreation Fields and Parks

Pursue capital funding for park and field improvements

Goal: Improve Oliver Mill Park

Repair bridges #2 and #3

Repair stonework supporting bridges #2 and #3

Pursue funding for park improvements

Goal: Explore location for a Town-owned boat ramp

Seek funding sources

Goal: Increase land protection

Apply for land grants and seek donated land opportunities

Close on the Jigerjian property acquisition

Partner with the State Archaeological Conservancy, Native American Tribes and seek state funding for the acquisition of the “Ja-Mar” Farm property

Goal: Upgrades to the Pratt Farm per the Division of Conservation Services Standards & requirements

Work through the Stewardship group and other local businesses and organizations to make these improvements

Apply for grants if they apply to the project proposed

Look into a way to accept donations more easily

Goal: Fostering the Volunteer Stewardship Program

Schedule more programs

Be present at local events with an information table for public outreach and developing interest in conservation

Goal: To receive final approval of the Open Space and Recreation Plan from the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS)

To finalize Conservation land list per DCS comments and work with SRPEDD on completing the other maps. Maps needed still are: Conservation Lands (Open Space), Unique Features and Action Plan

Establish a Land Use Committee

Solicit input from residents

Goal: Finalize Woloski Park Property Acquisition

Work with relocation consultant in relocating residents

Seek construction proposals to raze structures on site

Partner with Nature Conservancy

Improving energy resources and capabilities

Goal: Complete the remaining criteria necessary for the Town to join the Green Communities Initiative

Create a Baseline Energy Report of all the Town’s energy usage for an entire fiscal year (FY15)

Create a 5 year 20% energy reduction plan based off energy audits and the Baseline Energy Report

Implement the Town’s new Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy

Implement expedited permitting for as-of-right siting eligible solar projects

Apply META Grant funding in conjunction with SRPEDD to improve application for Green Communities

Apply META Grant funding to perform audits on School department buildings

Goal: Reduce pollution by siting new solar energy projects, battery back-up systems, and electric vehicle charging stations using state and federal funding

Explore siting a community solar project so that all Town residents have the opportunity to choose solar

Site at least one new solar and/or battery system

Complete the solar canopies above the charging stations at the Town Hall and Jackson Street Parking lot

Install additional charging stations if grant funding permits

Please note: Education goals are forthcoming

Goal : Codification of Town Bylaws

Work collaboratively with the Bylaw Study Committee to update, organize and codify the Town of Middleborough’s General Bylaws, Zoning Bylaws, Town Charter and acceptance of state laws and special acts pursuant to the Town Meeting vote of April 27, 2015; including extensive review of all Town General Bylaws for substantive changes to be presented at the 2017 Fall Special Town Meeting for approval

Goal: Database for Licenses and Permits

Implement a database under the supervision of the Information Technology Department to track miscellaneous licenses and permits; Town Clerk’s Office will be responsible for entering all data

Goal: NEH Grant Program – Cultural Heritage

Participate in the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grant Program: Finding Common Ground – Collaborative Training for the Cultural Heritage and Emergency Response Communities including several workshops to be held throughout FY2018; attendance by the Town Clerk and local emergency responders required for the success of the program.

Goal: Implement/Replace iPads used by Town Boards/Committees

Reduce ecological footprint by eliminating paper meeting packets

Increase department efficiencies by streamlining workloads using technology

Goal: Capture Aerial Imagery of the Town of Middleborough in its entirety – 73 square miles

Create digital orthophotographic imagery of Middleborough at a pixel resolution of 0.25’ to be broken into tiles that will greatly enhance the GIS tiling scheme for the Town

Goal : Pump Station Connection to INET (switch and configuration only)

Access and utilize the Town Network and remove current paid internet connection

Goal: Police Station Connection to INET (switch and configuration only)

Allow new Police Station to access and utilize the Town Network

Investing in Town Buildings

Goal: Research grant funding/matching grant funding for a feasibility reuse study for the current Police Station Building

Submit Community Preservation Committee (CPC) application for Police Station reuse

Seek outside funding sources

Goal: Construction of Police Station

Work cooperatively with Police Building Committee, Owner’s Project Manager and Architects to keep the construction project on time and under budget

Monthly project updates at Police Building Committee Meetings

Goal: Conduct a feasibility study for a new DPW Facility

Solicit proposals for a feasibility study

Engage the services of an engineering services firm

Goal: Move forward on the new Middleborough High School Building Project

Work with High School Building Committee, Owner’s Project Manager and Designer Services Firm on project design and schedule

Submit all necessary documents to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for approval

Secure state reimbursement percentage rate for the project

Finalize project cost

Secure borrowing authorization at Special Town Meeting

Hold debt exclusion special election for project approval

Goal: Increase Town awareness of the Commission on Disability

Present plans for upgrades or renovations of town-owned buildings and infrastructure to ensure that the Commission can provide input on disability access and ensure that the design is up to administrative code

Goal: Explore the creation of a Facilities Manager position

Seek funding possibilities

Upgrading Town Roadways

Goal: Improve downtown infrastructure

Pursue funding and secure estimates for:

New sidewalks on Center Street

Resurfacing of Center Street

Brick replacement on Thatcher’s Row

Asphalt replacement in front of Town Hall to open up handicap accessibility to front lawn

Goal: Maintain Road network of 170 miles

Implement 3rd year of five year capital plan

Submit 25% design of Everett Square traffic improvements to Mass DOT

Continue sweeping and roadside mowing schedule

Continue to remove hazardous trees from roadside layout

Mill and Pave deteriorated areas of town roadways using highway department labor and equipment

Prioritize and Upgrade worn drainage structures

Spend in excess of $1m in Chapter 90 Funds and a percentage of Free Cash on the following streets:

South Street – (Rochester Town Line to Spruce Street)

North Main Street (Wareham to Jackson Streets) Sachem Street (Top course placed)

Fuller Street (Top course placed)

Winter Street (Top course placed)

Pine Street (Top course placed)

Rocky Gutter Street

Spruce Street (Benson Street to Route 28)

South Main Street

West Street

Thompson Street (Route 105) – (Precinct Street to Plympton Street)

Purchase Street – (Rocky Meadow to Chestnut Street)

Highland Street (South Street to Spruce Street)

Working in Partnership with State Transportation Officials

Goal: Further discuss Mass DOT Southcoast Rail Project

Work with state and local officials on Southcoast Rail options

Seek resident input

Goal: Make progress on the rotary replacement and interim modification project

Continue to advocate for the project with state and federal officials

Continue to advocate for the prioritization of rotary replacement and interim modifications in State Transportation planning and financing

Sustaining our Solid Waste and Recycling Program

Goal: Continue to provide safe and efficient collection of solid waste and recycling

Continue to promote the reduction of trash and increase in recycling

Assist in providing a safe transfer station at the landfill

Continue to provide Free Bulky Waste day to Town Residents

Maintaining and upgrading our sewer system

Goal: Prepare for release of EPA’s new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4 )permit

Develop Notice of Intent (NOI) for submittal to EPA

Obtain Funding for MS4 Permit requirements

Goal: Complete ongoing $25m Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Project

Work in partnership with the general contractor, owner’s project manager and design engineers

Goal: Develop program to reduce I/I in sewer system per MassDEP mandate

Obtain funding for engineering study

Providing safe drinking water

Goal: Install 2,000 feet of 12 inch iron pipe replacement on Forest Street and Isaac Street

Mobilize in house crews

Goal: Begin construction of the New Mizares Well site

Successfully procure construction services

Goal: Continue construction of the New Water Treatment Plant

Successfully procure services

Goal: Begin construction of the New Elevated Storage Tank

Successfully procure services

Goal: Inspect and Replace KOH tanks located at the 8 pump stations

Inspect

If replacement is required- Procurement of new tanks

Complete project by the end of FY18

Goal: East Grove Street Pump Station Inspection and Repair

Structural Engineer Inspection

Complete project by the end of FY18

Goal: Upgrade Disinfection Metering at Pump Stations

Procurement of new system

Complete project by the end of FY18

Goal: Provide Mobile Control of SCADA System to Operators

Procurement of new system

Complete project by the end of FY18