2009-11-09-STM-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Adjourned Session of the November 18,2009 Special Town Meeting,cont.... Mr. Cohen explained requested action would result in an additional.75%meals tax directly to the town,anticipated additional FY2010 revenue and future annual revenue. Mr. Cohen reported support of a majority of the Board of Selectmen. 7:38 p.m. Alan Levine,pr.8,reported the support,with 7 in favor and 2 opposed,of the Appropriation Committee. Eric Michelson spoke in opposition. 7:43 p.m. John Parick,pr.4,reported unanimous opposition of the Tourism Committee. 7:44 p.m. Mary Jo Bohart reported opposition of the Chamber of Commerce. 7:47 p.m. Selectman Peter Kelley reported his opposition to Articles 6&7. 7:49 p.m. Members spoke in support,opposition,and adoption status of surrounding towns. 8:08 p.m. David Kanter,pr.7,moved the question. Motion Adopted. 8:09 p.m. The Moderator called for a standing vote,tallied as follows: Precinct Yes No Abstain 1 6 4 2 8 6 3 9 5 4 17 1 5 13 5 6 11 4 7 10 1 8 14 3 9 10 4 AL 9 2 Total 107 35 With 107 voting in the affirmative and 35 in the negative,Motion Adopted. 8:14 p.m. Alan Levine,pr.4,served notice of reconsideration on Article 6. 8:14 p.m. Presented by Selectman Norman Cohen. ARTICLE 7: APPROVE LOCAL OPTION ROOM OCCUPANCY EXCISE MOTION: That the Town accept G.L., c. 64G, §3A a local room occupancy excise at the rate of six percent to take effect on January 1, 2012. Mr. Cohen reported the support of a majority of the Board of Selectman 8:19 p.m. Joseph Pato reported the support[6 in favor, 1 opposed] of the Appropriation Committee. 8:20 p.m. John Patrick,pr.4,reported the opposition of the Tourism Committee. 8:24 p.m. John Krawczyk,pr.4,moved the following amendment: AMENDMENT: The main motion be amended to change the effective date from January 1, 2012 to July 1, 2010. 8:27 p.m. Selectman Norman Cohen reported the opposition of a majority of the Board of Selectmen and explained justification for the January 2012 date. 8:28 p.m. Joseph Pato reported the support of the Appropriation Committee [7 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstain] for the amendment. 8:28 pm. John Patrick,pr.4,reported concerns of the Tourism Committee. 8:28 p.m.. Patrick Mehr,pr.3,questioned the impact on delaying vote to 2010 Annual Town Meeting. Norman Cohen explained the interest to act sooner. 8:30 p.m. Mary Jo Bohart,Chamber of Commerce,spoke in opposition. Members spoke in support and opposition,,questioned revenue need and services 8:39 p.m. Christopher Hartsell,General Manager,ALOFT,Lexington,reviewed work done over the past year and spoke against the amendment. Discussion in support and opposition continued. 8:48 p.m. Loretta Porter,pr.5,called the question on the Amendment. Motion Adopted. 8:49 p.m. The Moderator called for a standing vote,tallied as follows: Precinct Yes No Abstain 1 5 6 2 7 5 3 6 8 4 11 7 5 8 10 6 10 5 7 8 3 8 12 5 9 8 6 AL 7 5 Total 82 60 8:53 p.m. With 82 voting in the affirmative and 60 in the negative,Amendment Adopted.