Town Council Accepts $10,000 Memorial Trust Donation for Fourth of July Committee
Lipicki family trust provides funding for community celebration as council addresses budget challenges and charitable giving policies
BRIDGEWATER - June 30 - The Bridgewater Town Council accepted a $10,000 donation from the Lipicki family Memorial Trust for the Fourth of July committee during a special meeting Monday night, marking the first distribution from a $193,000 trust left specifically to support library and cultural events in the town.
Council President Johnny Loreti announced the donation at the meeting's opening, explaining that the funds come from a trust "generously left by longtime resident Dolores Lipicki to specifically support our library and cultural events here in Bridgewater."
The donation represents a significant financial boost for the Fourth of July committee, which had been facing a steep budget shortfall for this year's celebration. Lisa Buzzell-Curley, a committee representative, said the donation would cut their deficit in half.
Town Manager Blythe Robinson explained that the trust contains approximately $193,000 dedicated specifically for cultural events beyond library support. She noted that town officials need to establish policies for managing the fund's long-term sustainability.
"We need to set a policy about how we're going to invest those funds, what is appropriate to use each year so that the principal stays intact and can support the town for years to come," Robinson said.
The Fourth of July committee members attended the meeting to receive recognition for their volunteer efforts. Committee representatives Nancy, Lauren, Robin, Keith, Jeff and Lisa presented small gifts to council members as tokens of appreciation.
"We just want to do something fun. It's all under 50, I promise you, nothing free," Buzzell-Curley said, noting the gifts came from committee funds rather than town appropriations.
The committee emphasized their careful stewardship of public funds. "The money did not come from the 4th of July funds. It came from the 4th of July committee. There is a difference," Lisa said. "So we do not spend the money on frivolous things. We're very, very careful about where it goes."
Looking ahead to next year's celebration, which will coincide with the nation's 250th anniversary, committee members indicated they plan expanded festivities that will require additional funding.
In addition to the Lipicki trust donation, the council also accepted a separate charitable contribution from the Oliari Charitable Foundation for the Bridgewater Public Library. The council voted unanimously to accept this donation, continuing a long-standing relationship with the foundation.
Councilor Sonya Striggles praised the Oliari family's consistent support for the community. "I just want to once again publicly express my thanks, and I think the council's thanks and Bridgewater's thanks to the Oliari Family Foundation for continuously supporting our town," she said. "Whenever they're asked to support, whether it's the library, whether it's Parks and Rec, they always show up. And they have been showing up for decades."
The acceptance of charitable donations comes as the town faces significant budget pressures, particularly regarding school funding. The council spent considerable time discussing how to address an $849,000 increase in the regional school district assessment following the failure of a recent override vote.
Council members expressed varying views on funding sources, with some advocating for cuts to the general budget and others suggesting limited use of stabilization funds. The discussion highlighted the challenging financial environment facing the town.
Councilor Sean Kennedy noted the importance of charitable support during difficult budget times. "I just want to publicly express that we appreciate that it does make a difference, and, you know, I hope we can put this to good use," he said regarding the Oliari donation.
The Lipicki trust donation requires no budget transfer or council appropriation, as it falls within the town manager's authority to accept and distribute. Robinson confirmed that the funds can be disbursed immediately to support the Fourth of July celebration.
The trust established by Dolores Lipicki specifically designates funds for cultural events and library support, reflecting her commitment to community enrichment. The structure ensures ongoing support for activities that enhance quality of life in Bridgewater.
Town officials indicated they will develop comprehensive policies for managing the trust funds to ensure long-term sustainability while meeting the donor's intent to support cultural programming and library services.
The council's acceptance of both donations demonstrates the important role charitable giving plays in supporting municipal services and community events, particularly during periods of fiscal constraint. These contributions help maintain programs and services that might otherwise face cuts due to budget pressures.
As Bridgewater prepares for its 4th of July celebration, the committee's work continues with setup, coordination and post-event cleanup. The financial support from the Lipicki Trust helps ensure the tradition continues while planning begins for next year's expanded 250th anniversary celebration.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Town of Bridgewater.
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