2002-12-16-STM-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 16, 2002 Special Town Meeting 8:42 p.m. David Kanter, pr.7, inquired about the impact of the amendment if the total amount is not changed. Mr. Weiss responded. Mr. Kanter inquired about any legal requirement that the total amount be related to households. 8:44 p.m. Town Manager Richard White explained the authorization would be to expend to the gross amount, and that some residents would receive refunds and others may not. 8:44 p.m. Paul Chernick, pr.5, questioned the months Mr. Weiss intended be included for refund. Ephraim Weiss explained his intent is not to tell the Selectmen how to run the program. 8:46 p.m. George Burnell, pr.7, questioned any estimate of outstanding tags and liability should the cap be lifted. Town Manager Richard White reviewed available records for barrel label and tag purchases. 8:47 p.m. Elaine Dratch, pr.5, questioned the Appropriation Committee on revenue collected and maximum refund. Town Manager Richard White reviewed estimated fees collected and sale of unused tonnage, totaling approximately $986,000. 8:49 p.m. Moderator Margery Battin declared a recess for the Appropriation Committee to caucus. 9:03 p.m. Moderator Margery Battin declared the meeting back in session and Ephraim Weiss, pr.5, clarified his amendment language. 9:04 p.m. Deborah Brown reported the Appropriation Committee rejects Mr. Weiss's amendment and summarized some revenue collection data. 9:06 p.m. Selectman Leo McSweeney reported the Selectmen's opposition to Mr. Weiss' Amendment, on a vote of 4 opposed and 1 in favor. 9:06 p.m. Following a voice vote on Mr. Weiss' Amendment, the Moderator declared the AMENDMENT NOT ADOPTED. 9:07 p.m. Loren Wood, pr.3, spoke in favor of the main motion. 9:08 P.M. Neal Boyle, pr.7, questioned what would happen if the motion were to be defeated. 9:09 P.M. Selectman Leo McSweeney spoke on the need for a refund, and of his hopes that Town Meeting supports the majority of the Board of Selectmen. 9:11 P.M. Thomas Griffiths, pr.7, spoke in favor of the main motion. 9:13 p.m. Paul Lapointe, pr.2, spoke in opposition of the motion, stating he viewed the bigger picture calling for defeat. 9:15 p.m. James Barry, pr. 1, spoke in favor and requested a roll call vote on the main motion. With insufficient members rising to support, a roll call was deemed by the Moderator to be not in order. 9:16 p.m. Patrick Mehr, pr.3, questioned the legal implications of compensation and possible financial liability. Selectman Peter Enrich saw no legal obligation and no precedent set. 9:18 P.M. Robert Rotberg, pr.3, spoke in opposition. 9:20 p.m. Paul Chernick, pr.6, prepared comments before moving the following: 9:23 p.m. AMENDMENT: The main motion be amended by adding to the end: The reimbursement to any household shall not be greater than (1) the household's payment for tags and labels under the pay -as- you -throw program minus (2) the reduction in the household's property tax due to the pay -as- you -throw program. Mr. Chernick spoke on the merits of the amendment and provided information compiled on program expenses.