2009-03-23 to 2009-05-06 ATM-min

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March 23, 2009 Annual Town Meeting, cont... 8:25 p.m. Presented by Selectman Norman Cohen ARTICLE 35: ESTABLISH DEMAND CHARGE FOR DELINQUENT TAXES MOTION: That the fee for a demand notice for payment of delinquent taxes pursuant to Section 15 of Chapter 60 of the Massachusetts General Laws be fifteen dollars. Selectman Cohen presented the requested action and reported the unanimous support of the Board of Selectmen. Alan Levine reported the unanimous support of the Appropriation Committee. Selectman Cohen responded to questions regarding the fee amount identified. 8:27 p.m. Unanimously Adopted 8:28 p.m. Presented by Beverly Kelley, pr.4. ARTICLE 36: AMEND HISTORIC DISTRICTS ACT (CITIZENS' PETITION) MOTION: That this article be indefinitely postponed. 8:28 p.m. Selectman Peter Kelley responded to questions on Indefinite Postponement. 8:30 p.m. Unanimously Adopted 8:32 p.m. Presented by Selectman Norman Cohen ARTICLE 37: RECONFIGURE AND ABANDON EASEMENT MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized to abandon all or a portion of an existing public travel easement along the westerly property line of lot 68 on Assessors' Property Map 29, known as 7 Page Road, now or formerly of Zales, and more fully described in a deed dated November 2, 1959 recorded in Middlesex South Registry of Deeds, Book 9492, Page 188. 8:32 p.m. Selectman Cohen reviewed, reported the unanimous support of the Board of Selectmen, and responded to questions from the members concerning easement location, ownership, property valuation and abutter notifications. 8:42 p.m. Motion Declared Adopted by more than the necessary two - thirds. 8:43 p.m. Presented by Selectman George Burnell. ARTICLE 38: PETITION GENERAL COURT FOR MUNICIPAL UTILITY ACT MOTION: That the Town supports the passage by the General Court of legislation enabling municipalities to more easily establish municipal lighting plants, and that the Board of Selectmen be and they thereby are authorized to petition the General Court for an Act to accomplish the same result for Lexington alone. Selectman Burnell explained action is a reaffirmation of town meeting votes taken in 2005 and reported the support of the Board of Selectmen. Eric Michelson reported the unanimous support of the Appropriation Committee. Motion Unanimously Adopted. 8:46 p.m. Presented by Selectman Peter Kelley. ARTICLE 39: PETITION GENERAL COURT FOR MID -YEAR TAX RELIEF FOR PROPERTY LOSS FROM FIRE MOTION: That the Board of Selectmen be and they hereby are authorized to petition the General Court for an Act to authorize the Town to abate or refund taxes received, as the case may be, whenever in any fiscal year beginning in Fiscal Year 2009, the assessed value of real estate is decreased by over 50 percent as the result of fire or natural disaster, in an amount to be calculated based on a reassessed value of the improvement. 8:47 p.m. Selectman Norman Cohen announced his recusal from voting on this motion. Selectman Peter Kelley reported the support of the Board of Selectman. Richard Eurich, pr.3, reported the support of the Appropriation Committee with a vote of 8 in favor, 0 opposed, and an abstention by Susan McLeish. Selectman Peter Kelley and Town Manager Carl Valente responded to questions regarding years covered and property values. Citizens Peter Sarajian and Matthew Sarajian, 259 Bedford Street and recent victims of a household fire, spoke in support. 8:51 p.m. Motion Adopted.