HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-12-13-ART40-min MINUTES
Article 40 ad hoc Committee
December 13, 2005
A duly posted meeting of the Article 40 ad hoc Committee held in the Selectmen's
Meeting Room, Town Office Building, was called to order at 7 30 a.m. by Chairman
Galartsis with members Judy Crocker, Tom Diaz, Derek Fullerton, Wendy Heiger-
Bernays, Jeanne Krieger, Ingrid Klimoff, Sheryl Mason, Jim Sheehy, Jim Wilson, and
citizen David Eagle present
The Committee discussed the logistics of a special account to handle its expected
transactions Ms Krieger will work with Lynn Pease, secretary for the Selectmen. Lynn
will be treasurer for this account, which will be called "Engine Idling Reduction Account"
Ms Krieger introduced the idea of implementing engine anti-idling controls through a
Board of Health regulation as opposed to a town by-law The Board of Selectmen
could/would make this decision, and could set ticket fees All rules and regulations could
be enforced by the sponsoring body or by the police If selected, this change could occur
in 18 months through the following process 1) Board of Health would draft the
regulation. 2) Board of Health would hold 2 public hearings 3) Selectmen would
approve/adopt the new regulation.
Ms Heiger-Bernays reminded group that a BOH regulation is considered if a) a situation,
if unaddressed poses an unacceptable risk to public health and b) if a regulation is
necessary to prevent the health risk. She pointed out that while the staffing in the health
department is inadequate to enforce this regulation (due to their commitments to
mandated functions), this should not determine the need or the adoption of a BOH
regulation. Police should be asked if they would be willing to help Ms Heiger-Bernays
will contact a few other people from Boards of Health in other MA towns to see if they
have experience with a BOH regulation for unnecessary engine idling.
There was a question about criminal vs non-criminal regulation. A town regulation, if any,
would treat engine idling offenses as non-criminal violations
Ms Crocker talked about handing out "tickets" or "cards" to people, similar to the
"tickets" that police give to people who ride bikes on sidewalks
Deadlines were established
-- Jan. 12 decide whether to propose a by-law to the 2006 Town Meeting.
-- Feb 10 information to be given to Mr Galartsis re charge of committee
Meanwhile, subcommittee of anti-idling campaign will be working on collecting data from
school parking lots
On a motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the meeting at 9 00 a.m.
Minutes prepared by
Ingrid Klimoff
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