Video
Deliberative Session part one (Articles 1-9, 12, 27, 29): https://vimeo.com/254488140
Deliberative Session part two (Articles 10, 11, 13-16, 24, 17-23, 25, 26, 28, 30-32): https://vimeo.com/254712281
Deliberative Session part three (Articles 33-36): https://vimeo.com/254712281
Town Deliberative Meeting minutes: Click Here
Part 1 RCL Notes File: DelibSess020318partOneRevB
Part 2 RCL Notes File: DelibSess020318partTwoRevBfinal
Part 3 RCL Notes File: DelibSess020318partThreeRevBfinal
Summary
- The appropriateness of the Salt Shed and the Transfer Station being located 1800 ft. from the Town’s main well and on highly transmissive soil was questioned.
- The priority for the Red Mill Ln. culvert was questioned in light of potential weight limits associated with the Harbor Rd. bridge which would not be removed for a number of years.
- The rationale of the proponents of the petitioned $3.05 million warrant article to tear down and rebuild Town Hall was provided.
- Article 12 to purchase the former TD Bank was amended to remove any reference to specific uses, but would still allow some town offices to be moved there for an indefinite term.
- An amendment to constrain the price for which the Trolley Barn (Old Police Station) could be sold was defeated.
- Article 29, a petitioned article providing for visioning sessions (a Charrette) of the Town Center survived with some amendments and general support.
- The $9.2 million operating budget was placed on the ballot without amendment. Resident comments included noting the fact that the budget, after adjusting for reductions in capital outlay and debt service, was actually up over 2017, and describing the new tax environment now that only the first $10,000 in state and local taxes may be deducted.
- Article 15, changing the purpose of the Fire Truck Capital Reserve to encompass ambulances was amended to remove a provision that would have enabled the Selectmen to spend money in that reserve without a town vote.
- Article 17, a new deck for the Harbor Rd. bridge was placed on the ballot without amendment. The bridge weight limit will not increase until 2025 or 2026 when a more extensive refurbishment is planned. Three of the Town’s fire trucks have gross vehicle weight ratings exceeding the weight limit of the bridge. The Public Works Director said that overweight vehicles might damage it a little bit, but bridge collapses are rare.
- Article 28, to close Dow Ln., was amended to recommend that the Selectmen address the intersections at each end.
- Article 31, to rescind the Selectmen’s authority to buy and sell land without a Town Meeting vote, was subject only to a clarifying amendment.
- The Town Attorney threatened to make a resident “answer for” allegedly accusing him of violating the Code of Professional Responsibility for attorneys by entering into an allegedly unlawful settlement agreement on the South Rd. litigation committing a Town Board and a Town Commission to take certain actions, notwithstanding the requirements of prior public hearings
- Article 33, which would have established a process to improve the timely posting of minutes in compliance with State law was amended to require only that State law be adhered to.
- Article 34, which would have required the leashing of dogs on Town land, was amended to require only that they be under control.
