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

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DESCRIPTION: If accepted, this Section provides for the payment of a stipend of three thousand dollars per annum to the elected and appointed members of the town retirement board; and further provides that the ex-officio member of the town retirement board shall receive a stipend of not more than three thousand dollars per annum in the aggregate for services rendered in the active administration of the retirement system. ARTICLE 42 MUNICIPALIZATION OF UTILITIES To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Department of Public Works with the approval of the Board of Selectmen to pursue the municipalization of utilities and the creation of a municipal gas and electric company; and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court for an act, if necessary, to clarify the procedures which must be followed by the Town to carry out such action; or act in any other manner in relation thereto. (Inserted by the Board of Selectmen) DESCRIPTION: This is the second of two required votes to give the Town the authority to act in the best interests of the citizens in a deregulated energy market. Changing laws in the utility industry is allowing greater competition. Already large industries and consortiums are taking advantage of deregulation and winning price cuts. It is our concern that the small retail customer will ultimately pay for those price cuts and have no leverage to negotiate better rates. However, the Town could municipalize or act on behalf of its citizens as a load aggregator to protect their interests as well as securing lower rates for them. ARTICLE 43 REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court for an act to establish a real estate transfer tax, the proceeds of which will be applied to the operating expenses of the Town; or act in any other manner in relation thereto. (Inserted at the request of the Long Range Planning Committee) DESCRIPTION: This petition would provide for the establishment of a land transfer tax, similar to those already in existence in Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, to provide an additional source of funds for municipal programs. Funds would be generated by a tax of up to 1% on real estate transfers in Town. ARTICLE 44 MINUTEMAN TECH AGREEMENT AMENDMENT To see if the Town will vote to reallocate its required share of the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District budget in accordance with the regional agreement as permitted by Section 16B of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by the Minuteman School Committee) 29