1997-10-20 to 1997-11-19-STM-min

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341 SPECIAL TOWN MEETING—OCTOBER 20, 1997 cont 8:32 p.m. Mrs.Peitz requested the Moderator recognize Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeffrey Young. Dr.Young explained the process and plans for the project— addressing safety,equity,and excellence in the system. The project encompasses the High School,Diamond Middle School,Clarke Middle School, and Harrington Elementary School. 8:42 p.m. Mrs. Peitz requested the Moderator recognize Mr. John Miller from the architectural firm of HMFH Architects. Mr. Miller briefly presented the designs for the four schools at which work is proposed. 8:47 p.m. Mrs.Peitz stated the School Committee's willingness to offer an amendment to reduce the project to the three secondary schools if the entire Board of Selectmen would support such plan. 8:49 p.m. William Kennedy, Capital Expenditures Committee, stated the unanimous recommendation of the Committee and summarized the reasons for approving the proposed project. Mr. Kennedy acknowledged the expertise and efforts of the Permanent Building Committee. 8:52 p.m. Paul Lapointe, Appropriation Committee, summarized the report of the Committee and stated the Committee's unanimous recommendation of support for Article 2. 9:10 p.m. Leo P. McSweeney, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, spoke on behalf of himself and fellow member Daniel Busa. Mr. McSweeney stated that he and Mr. Busa did not support the proposal at this time. He summarized other - municipal increases which could, in conjunction with the proposed school project,bring the FY99 tax rate increase to approximately 9%. 9:16 p.m. Selectman Dan H. Fenn addressed the town's being faced with a deteriorating infrastructure and increasing school enrollment. Mr.Fenn stated his confidence in the Permanent Building Committee and support of the proposed project. Mr. Fenn also referenced the support for the project by fellow Selectmen Peter Enrich and Betty Eddison. 9:19 p.m. Selectman Peter Enrich read a facsimile received from Selectman Betty Eddison which she sent, in her absence from the meeting, in support of the project. Mr. Enrich also spoke to the importance and value of the proposal before the meeting. 9:25 p.m. William Simmons,Pr.6,spoke to the process used. 9:27 p.m. David Kanter, Pr.7, spoke in support of the article, stating that he felt it was prudent and worthwhile to support. 9:29 p.m. Mr. Geza Szonyi, 177 Cedar Street,spoke from the audience and addressed the need to reduce the tax burden for those persons on fixed income and proposed that a project such as this should be taxed as an income tax instead of a real estate tax. 9:31 p.m. Dennis O'Connor, Pr. 6, spoke in opposition to the article and moved that the motion under Article 2 be amended to read as follows: MOTION: That the sum of$5,000,000 be appropriated for constructing, originally equipping and furnishing additions to and remodeling, reconstructing, and making extraordinary repairs for school buildings; that such amount be raised in the tax levy; and that the Permanent Building Committee be authorized to take all action necessary to carry out this project, provided, however, that this vote shall not take effect until the Town votes to assess an additional$5,000,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of this article for the current fiscal year as provided in G.L. c. 59, x'21 C(i i)(Proposition 2 4).