Groveland voters block road repairs

By Sara Codair
Correspondent

May 06, 2008 12:28 am

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GROVELAND — Voters yesterday rejected a property tax override request to spend $172,340 for road repairs and tossed out incumbents for the Pentucket School Committee and Cemetery Commission.

The vote against the road repairs was 485-357.

"It's a sign of the economic times," said John Willett about the road repairs. "There are a lot of seniors who are living on a tight budget."

The repairs were requested for Dartmouth Street, Harvard Road, Yale Street and Staunton Road, and would have added a one-time $41 increase to the average property tax bill.

Willett, 64, a former custodial supervisor from Pentucket Regional High School, was the victor for a three-year term on the Pentucket School Committee over incumbent Doreen Blades by a vote of 508-253.

Blades was appointed to the committee four years ago and was elected to it three years ago. Willett served on the committee for nine years in the 1980s.

"I'm looking forward to working on the School Committee, and to helping improve the schools," said Willett between handshakes and congratulations from the other town officials at Town Hall.

Blades congratulated Willett and wished him good luck. "The voters have spoken and they want a change," Blades said.

Town Clerk Anne Brodie said 36 percent of Groveland's 2,400 registered voters went to the polls.

Willett and Brodie said it appeared the majority of voters yesterday were senior citizens.

Also yesterday, Mark McCabe defeated incumbent Vern Cotton for a three-year term on the Cemetery Commission. He also was uncontested for a one-year term as tree warden.

"Thanks to the voters for electing me as two positions," said McCabe.

William Dunn was re-elected to the one-year seat on the Cemetery Commission.

Both Dunn and McCabe own landscaping companies, and look forward to working together on the Cemetery Commission, they said.

Voters also supported ballot questions to keep the positions of road commissioner, tree warden and Cemetery Commission as elected positions.

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