2017-10-16-STM2-STM3-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 16, 2017 Special Town Meeting#2 cont... Town may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority ("MSBA"),said amount to be expended under the direction of Permanent Building Committee.To meet this appropriation the Board of Selectmen is authorized to borrow said amount under M.G.L.Chapter 44,or pursuant to any other enabling authority. The Town acknowledges that the MSBA's grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need,as determined by the MSBA,and any project costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town;provided further that any grant that the Town may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed the lesser of(1)35.79%of eligible,approved project costs,as determined by the MSBA,or(2) the total maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA;provided that any appropriation hereunder shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of the Town to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes imposed by M.G.L. 59,Section 21C (Proposition 2'/2);and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Project Funding Agreement that may be executed between the Town and the MSBA.Any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote,less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes,may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with M.G.L Chapter 44,Section 20,thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount. 7:59 p.m. Mr.Goddard presented the Hastings School Construction and Design Summary, reviewing current needs,the site plan,proposed construction and LEEDS certification.He summarized major elements of the budget and presented a construction timeline. 8:13 p.m. Joseph Pato,member of the Board of Selectmen,reported unanimous support of the Board,and gave a brief report.He explained the MSBA(Massachusetts School Building Authority) grant process and stated that the vote taken on Article 2 would be contingent on a positive vote in the December Special Town Election(Debt Exclusion vote). 8:15 p.m. Jill Hai,Chair of the Capital Expenditures Committee,reported unanimous support of the Committee. 8:16 p.m. Andrei Radulescu-Bann,member of the Appropriation Committee reported support of the Committee(7-0-2). 8:16 p.m. Judy Crocker,Pct. 5,questioned whether an expansion area had been considered for the new Hastings building after design changes shifted its location.Mr.Goddard responded that the additional space for future needs had not been precluded,and would be addressed going forward. 8:18 P.M. Anthony Galaitsis,Pct. 5,questioned impacts of moving the new classroom space closer to Route 128.Mr.Goddard responded that attention was paid to noise reduction,including design requirements for highly insulated glass. 8:21 p.m. Michael Boudett Pct.4,questioned whether Mr.Valente's debt analysis had included the construction of a new high school.Mr.Valente responded in the negative.Mr.Alessandrini, Chair of the School Committee,commented on current Committee plans for the high school. 8:26 p.m. Mark Andersen,Pct. 6,questioned the timing and financial impact of a seventh preschool.Mr.Alessandrini responded.Mr.Anderson also questioned the financial impacts of Visitor Center and Cemetery upgrades.Mr.Valente,Town Manager,responded that the tax analysis did not include the Visitor Center,and that the Cemetery had its own revenue source. 8:33 p.m. Antony Rinaldi, 19 Garfield Street,a 5th grader at the Hastings School,described current conditions at the Hastings School. 8:35 p.m. Mr.Valente addressed questions raised earlier by Michael Boudett,Pct.4,regarding the projected 2.5%growth of the tax base per year. 8:35 p.m. With no further questions,the Moderator called for the vote. 8:36 p.m. Following electronic vote tallying,the Moderator declared Article 2 Adopted by the necessary two-thirds on a vote of: Yes No Abstain 156 1 3 8:36 p.m. Selectman,Michelle Ciecolo,recused herself from discussion and voting on Article 3 due to a potential conflict of interest.