2016-11-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

70-80 Selectmen’s Meeting – November 7, 2016 neighbors a sense of what the limits of the disturbance would be—number of days of the year affected, etc.—might help to calm anxieties. Mr. Cohen asked if the work could be accomplished if started at 6 a.m. Mr. Pinsonneault said the DPW would adjust as needed but starting later would mean taking more days to finish. Dr. Mary Daly, 15 Oakland St, presented a petition to the Town from her neighborhood against leaf-blower use occurring outside the limits of the Noise Bylaw (9 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Dr. Daly cited research from several sources that shows excessive decibel levels contribute to poor physical and mental well-being. She noted that the gas-powered leaf blowers used by the DPW have 1000 times the recommended decibel limit for healthful sleep. Increased efficiency, she said, comes at a high price for those who withstand the noise. Dr. Daly added that the DPW used the leaf blowers this fall from 5:00 -5:45 a.m. every Monday and Friday without a Special Permit and it disturbed everyone in her household. Dr. Daly said that leaf blower use was not a common practice until a few years ago, with the exception of one or two days around Patriots’ Day. At that time, the Town called to alert abutting residents. Dr. Daly noted that other towns have banned leaf blowers and that cost analyses exist, making the case that the job can be done without resorting to leaf blower use. Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock St. and Precinct 6 Town Meeting member, said although she is an avid supporter of the DPW in general, she experiences a lot of DPW-related noise other than leaf blowing at her Town Center residence. Mr. Kelley asked Mr. Pinsonneault if curbside parking along the work area could be blocked off during the work period. Mr. Pinsonneault said, based on comments, the DPW would step back and take a look at a few things before returning to the Board for approval of the Special Permit hearing. Ms. Ciccolo said she agreed with this approach, saying that without an alternative plan, the question was not ready to be brought to the Public Hearing stage. Ms. Barry said the Board would entertain holding a hearing but would first want to see alternate recommendations for starting time, type pf equipment used, marking areas off as “no parking”, etc. Tax Classification Presentation To present the issue, Ms. Barry recognized Assistant Town Manager for Finance Rob Addelson and Chairman of the Board of Assessors, Gregory Johnson. In the audience, Director of Assessing Rob Lent was introduced as well as members of the Board of Assessors, Ed Grant, and Casimir Groblewski. Mr. Addelson said the purpose of the presentation was to initiate the process of setting the FY17 tax rate which will take place over three separate meeting dates: November 7 (tonight); November 21; and December 5. On November 21, the Board of Selectmen will conduct a tax classification Public Hearing. On December 5, the Selectmen will take 4 votes: to establish a Residential Factor; to determine whether to adopt the Open Space discount; determine whether to adopt the Residential Exemption and, if so, by what percentage (now up to 35% from a previous cap of 20% as a result of a recent change in the law as part of the Municipal Modernization Act); and to determine whether to adopt the Small Commercial Exemption.