Challenges add to Palmer race

PALMER - The School Committee race could bring out voters today, as two political newcomers, Gary A. Blanchette and Gary T. O'Brien, attempt to oust longtime members Mary A. Salzmann and David M. Lynch.

There are two, four-year School Committee terms available.

Three longtime incumbents on the Planning Board - Chairman Michael S. Marciniec, James J. Haley and Thomas S. Skowyra - are seeing a challenge from Bondsville Fire and Water Commissioner Carl F. Bryant. There are three, four-year terms available.

Running unopposed for four-year Town Council-at-Large positions are Eric A. Duda and William S. Heilman, along with incumbents Michael R. Magiera and Paul E. Burns, and Karl S. Williams, who was appointed in May.

District 3 Town Councilor Raymond J. Remillard, appointed to the post in February, is running unopposed to keep his position another two years.

And, in an effort to move the approximately $6.2 million cost for the final phase of the sewer separation project out of the budget, voters will be asked to approve a 20-year debt exclusion. In a debt exclusion, taxes are raised only for a specific period and are not permanent.

Town Manager Matthew S. Streeter has described the debt exclusion as "almost painless," considering that the debt for the two school projects will be coming off the books in fiscal 2012, the same year the sewer separation project would show up on the tax rolls.

The cost of the project will be split between sewer user fees and taxpayer funds.

According to Streeter, the owner of the average single-family home valued at $198,600 would pay $49 the first year. If the debt exclusion fails, that means he would have to put the first year's estimated cost of the project, $251,000, into the budget, which would take money away from other areas.

"If we have to assume it within the confines of the budget, we'll have to make difficult choices between what services need to be reduced and levels of employment," Streeter said.