Paxton Mulls Writing Off $98,000 Anna Maria Debt
Select Board · Meeting of September 14, 2026
Paxton may write off $98,053 owed by Anna Maria College for police safety monitoring. A resident identified as Mr. Bagdis pressed the Select Board after a MassLive report found the college's contract balance wasn't paid despite earlier assurances it was current; Town Administrator Robert Birkbeck said "there's no money" to pursue it, with override votes failed and budgets "cut to the bone." The board also welcomed new DPW Director Joseph Kenney, on the job five days before a West Street water main break sent crews digging nine feet down overnight.
Trail volunteer Rick Bedard said a town-owned pedestrian bridge at Illig's Pond remains unsafe after a lost $45,000 state grant, with repairs unlikely before spring. The board approved 11 consent agenda items unanimously, including appointments and a Wachusett Regional School District lease extension, and announced the deaths of longtime volunteers Rodney Jenkins and Glenn Sullivan.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,163 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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