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July 28, 2003 Special Town Meeting, cont... ....
<br /> ARTICLE 4: TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
<br /> 9:57 p.m. Presented by Diane Pursley, pr.1.
<br /> MOTION: That$190,000 is hereby appropriated for Transportation Personal
<br /> Services and Expenses (Line Item 3600) for the restoration of the Town's public
<br /> transportation services for Fiscal Year 2004; and that to meet such appropriation,
<br /> $115,000 shall be raised from an increase of existing parking fees, $28,000 shall
<br /> be raised from fees for parking on Worthen Road, $16,000 shall be raised from
<br /> fees for parking in the High School Parking Lot, $23,000 shall be transferred
<br /> from available amounts on deposit in the Transportation Demand Management
<br /> Reserve Account(i.e.,the existing Lexpress Gift Account), and$8,000 shall be
<br /> raised from payments required to be made by the owners of the two Hayden
<br /> Avenue Properties for Transportation Demand Management, provided: (1)the
<br /> $115,000 portion of this appropriation to be raised from an increase of existing
<br /> parking fees shall be contingent on the Selectmen voting by August 25, 2003,to
<br /> raise parking fees to an amount they estimate to be sufficient to raise such
<br /> revenues, (2)the $28,000 portion of this appropriation to be raised from fees for
<br /> parking on Worthen Road shall be contingent on the Selectmen voting by August
<br /> 25, 2003,to establish a fee structure they estimate to be sufficient to raise such
<br /> revenues, and(3)the $16,000 portion of this appropriation to be raised from fees
<br /> for parking in the High School Parking Lot shall be contingent on the School
<br /> Committee voting by August 25, 2003,to establish a fee structure they estimate
<br /> to be sufficient to raise such revenues.
<br /> 9:59 p.m. William Levison, Transportation Advisory Committee member and sponsor of
<br /> the Article, explained requested support. Transportation Advisory Committee
<br /> member Sara Arnold presented additional information on requested funding of
<br /> the Town's Lexpress bus service.
<br /> 10:07 p.m. Selectmen Leo McSweeney reported the majority of the Board of Selectmen is in
<br /> opposition.
<br /> 10:08 p.m. Planning Board member Thomas Harden, pr.8, reported, independent of
<br /> financing challenges,the Planning Board is in support of Lexpress.
<br /> 10:12 p.m. Cecilia Colledge, 1010 Waltham Street spoke in support of Lexpress.
<br /> 10:14 p.m. Richard Canale, pr.9, continued his MAPC report, spoke in support of
<br /> transportation services and Lexpress specifically.
<br /> 10:19 p.m. Appropriation Committee Chairperson Deborah Brown reported the Committee's
<br /> unanimous opposition, and concerns on sustainability of program and funding
<br /> sources.
<br /> 10:20 p.m. Camille Passamonti, 7 Suzanne Road, spoke in support of Lexpress as a service
<br /> for residents.
<br /> 10:24 p.m. Kent Lewandrowski, 3 Angier Road, spoke in support.
<br /> 10:26 p.m. Appropriations Committee Chairperson Deborah Brown, pr.7, clarified proposed
<br /> fee increases.
<br /> 10:27 p.m. David Kanter, pr.7, questioned Lexpress service cancellation and possible town
<br /> liability should required funds not be raised. Sara Arnold, Transportation
<br /> Advisory Committee responded.
<br /> 10:28 p.m. David Kanter, pr.7,moved the following amendment:
<br /> AMENDMENT: That"student"be added on line 5 before the two instances of
<br /> "parking".
<br /> 10:29 p.m. Sara Arnold, Transportation Advisory Committee, reported the support of the
<br /> Transportation Advisory Committee of Mr. Kanter's friendly amendment.
<br /> 10:29 p.m. AMENDMENT ADOPTED.
<br /> 10:29 p.m. Richard Michelson, pr.8, questioned the legality of and spoke against using the
<br /> parking fee revenue to fund Lexpress.
<br /> 10:31 p.m. Charles Hornig, pr.8, spoke in opposition and shared Mr. Michelson's concerns.
<br /> Sara Arnold responded.
<br /> 10:36 p.m. George Burnell, Appropriation Committee, questioned using parking fee
<br /> revenue. Town Counsel William Lahey explained the restrictions of
<br /> Massachusetts General Law.
<br /> 10:38 p.m. Robert Rotberg, pr.3, spoke in support.
<br /> 10:40 p.m. Anthony Close reported the School Committee's opposition.
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