1997-03-03-TE-Warrant-and-1997-03-24-ATM-Warrant

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GENERAL ARTICLES ARTICLE 31 LEGISLATION/TOWN WIDE REFERENDUM VOTE Shall legislation be requested by the Town of Lexington which would require a town wide referendum vote for the approval of any fiscal year budget, exclusive of line items funded by enterprise funds, which exceeds the prior fiscal year's budget by more than three percent? (Inserted at the request of Stephen J. Tripi and nine or more registered voters) DESCRIPTION: This is a citizen proposal, which will also be voted on in the March town election as a non-binding referendum question. It will require the town (both Municipal and Schools)to live within a defined spending ceiling each year and will require voter approval if the town fails to do so. It is an attempt to monitor and cap the real cost of government at the local level and is an alternative approach to develop budgets with these constraints in mind. This should then prevent adding additional revenue to the levy each year via proposition 2 and 1/2 overrides, which then becomes a permanent additional pool of money to be appropriated and spent each subsequent year regardless of the need. ARTICLE 32 ACCEPT CHAPTER 60, SECTION 3C OF M.G.L. To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 3C of Chapter 60 of the General Laws relating to a Town scholarship fund; or act in any other manner in relation thereto. (Inserted at the request of David G. Williams and nine or more registered voters) DESCRIPTION: Acceptance of this statute would allow for a checkoff on all tax bills (real estate, water/sewer and excise) for a scholarship fund for Lexington students. This fund would be locally controlled and administered. A bill has been introduced in the General Court which would require the State to match all funds raised in this manner. ARTICLE 33 AMEND CHAPTER 521 OF THE ACTS OF 1983 LexHAB To see if the Town Meeting will vote to petition the General Court to amend Chapter 521 of the Acts of 1983, establishing a Nonprofit Housing Corporation for the Town of Lexington, by requiring approval of the Town Meeting, in addition to that of the Board of Selectmen, to acquire from the Town real estate property, or dispose of real property held or rights therein; or act in any other manner in relation thereto. (Inserted at the request of Michael J. O'Sullivan and nine or more registered voters) DESCRIPTION: The intent of this warrant article is to foster wider discussion and decision approval processes relating to projects and disposition of Town owned real estate undertaken by LexHAB. The scope of the additional Town Meeting approval applies only to Town owned property and not to private property that LexHAB and Selectmen may consider. 25