As a reminder, Town Meeting has been rescheduled for November 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Middle/High School. We hope to see a number of residents there to participate in one of the most unique democratic processes in all the world...Town Meeting.
As I always do, I like to send out a brief explanation of the articles to be presented on Town Meeting floor. As you can see, there are 20 articles to be presented that night. For your information I have attached a copy of the Town Meeting Warrant for your review of the articles. As you can see, there are some important issues to be decided this night and we hope you find the time to attend this important discussion.
The articles are as follows:
ARTICLE 1 - AUTHORIZATION TO HEAR THE REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE TOWN
This article allows for any committees or boards of the Town to issue reports at the recognition of the Town Moderator.
ARTICLE 2 – AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE GENERAL BYLAWS TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THE ANNUAL ELECTION
This was suggested by the Board of Selectmen to change a problem in the timing of our annual election and annual Town Meeting. Currently a new Selectman could be elected in April and then have to stand before the Town at Town Meeting a month later to speak to items on the warrant that he/she had no involvement in crafting. This change would allow the Selectmen who crafted the warrant to speak to these items during their term as Selectman.
ARTICLE 3 – AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE GENERAL BYLAWS
This article will be passed over until a future Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 4 - AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE GENERAL BYLAWS
This article would give the Town ability to deny, suspend, or revoke certain licenses and permits for failing to pay municipal taxes, betterments or other municipal charges.
ARTICLE 5 – AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE GENERAL BYLAWS
This article would change the publication requirement to allow the Town to post public hearing notices on the Town’s website, thus saving the Town the costs of publication.
ARTICLE 6 – AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE GENERAL BYLAW
This article was recommended by the Board of Selectmen and would prohibit boards, committees or commissions of West Boylston from holding meetings on town, state, or federal election days.
ARTICLE 7 – AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND THE GENERAL BYLAWS
This article would add a new section to the Personnel Bylaws of the Town entitled “Exit Interviews” hereby giving the Town Administrator an opportunity understand employee separation in the community.
ARTICLE 8 – AUTHORIZATION TO MODIFY FISCAL YEAR 2010 APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2010 BUDGET
This article will fix any deficiencies in the current fiscal year’s budget and shall be presented by the Town Administrator on Town Meeting Floor.
ARTICLE 9 - AUTHORIZATION TO EXPEND FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND TO FUND CAPITAL EQUIPMENT
Annually at the Fall Town Meeting, the Capital Investment Board will present its Capital Plan and any requests for the current year. This year the Capital Investment Board is not bringing forward any requests for expenditures from the Capital Investment Fund.
ARTICLE 10 - AUTHORIZATION TO PETITION THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A MUNICIPAL BUILDING FUND AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
This article seeks to establish a municipal building fund to serve as the depository for certain surplus funds of the Town Hall, Public Works, Public Safety, and Library Building Maintenance accounts to be used for extraordinary and simple maintenance items to preserve the Town’s investment in its buildings.
ARTICLE 11 - AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER MONEY FROM THE SEWER ENTERPRISE
This article Continues the practice by transferring the sum of $31,134.33 from the sewer enterprise account to the Stabilization Fund to ‘repay’ the stabilization fund for its contribution of start-up funds to begin the sewer construction project.
ARTICLE 12 - AUTHORIZATION TO PAY BILLS FROM A PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR
This article authorizes the payment of bills received after the close of the last fiscal year. The list will be presented to the Town Meeting attendees on Town Meeting floor.
ARTICLE 13 - AUTHORIZATION TO RESTATE THE SEWER BUDGET
This article provides technical corrections to the sewer budget, if necessary, upon recommendation of the DPW Director and the Finance Director.
ARTICLE 14 - AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO THE STABILIZATION FUND
This article is presented on every Town Meeting warrant in the event that funds are available to be transferred to this fund. Based upon the new reserve policy adopted by the Board of Selectmen, this motion shall call for a transfer of $74,000 to the stabilization fund, which will be at the 5% goal we have been seeking.
ARTICLE 15 – AUTHORIZATION TO TRANSFER FUNDS TO THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND
This article is presented on every Town Meeting warrant in the event that funds are available to be transferred to this fund. Based upon the new reserve policy adopted by the Board of Selectmen, we are recommending that this motion shall call for a transfer of $100,000 to the capital investment fund..
ARTICLE 16 – AUTHORIZATION TO CHANGE THE APPROPRIATION AUTHORITIES FOR THE PARKS, PLAYGROUND AND FIELDS REVOLVING FUND FOR THE PARKS COMMISSION
This article corrects a potential problem under the statutory requirements of the revolving funds. This article changes the authorized entity for expenses out of the Parks, Playground, and Field Revolving Account from the Parks Commission AND the DPW Director to only the Parks Commission.
ARTICLE 17 - AUTHORIZATION TO CHANGE THE APPROPRIATION AUTHORITIES FOR THE RECYCLING REVOLVING FUND
Like the last article, this article corrects a potential problem under the statutory requirements of the revolving funds. This article changes the authorized entity for expenses out of the Recycling Revolving Account from the DPW Director to the Town Administrator.
ARTICLE 18 – AUTHORIZATION TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR PARTICPATING IN THE WACHUSETT EARTHDAY COLLECTION COLLABORATIVE
This article brings to resolution the ongoing controversy regarding the proposed Wachusett Earthday project on Raymond Huntington Highway. The article requests $1400 to cover the annual cost of the Town’s participation in this project. Through the resolution to this controversial project, the Town would not be responsible for the construction costs of the project.
ARTICLE 19 - AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAW CHAPTER 64L, 2(A)
This article is the so-called ‘meals tax’ increase of .75% on the sale of restaurant meals.
ARTICLE 20 - AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAW CHAPTER 64G, 3(A)
This article is the so-called 'hotel/motel tax' increase for the rental of rooms within the Town.
As always, please let me know if there are any special needs you need assistance with in order to particpate in the Town Meeting. I look forward to seeing you all on the 9th.
Leon A. Gaumond Jr. Town Administrator |
