HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-21-STM5-min September 21,2016 Special Town Meeting#5(2016-#5)
Moderator Deborah Brown called the 2016 Special Town Meeting#5 to order at 7:30 p.m.,
Wednesday, September 21,2016 in Margery Milne Battin Hall in the Cary Memorial Building, 1605
Massachusetts Avenue.A quorum in excess of 100 members was present.
Town Clerk,Nathalie L.Rice,read the Warrant for Special Town Meeting#5 until waived.The
Town Clerk read the Constable's Return of Service.
The Moderator made announcements,welcomed new Town Meeting Members,discussed
parliamentary procedures and called for the testing of the electronic voting units.
7:39 p.m. The Moderator called for a brief recess to recognize Superintendent of the Minuteman
National Historical Park,Nancy Nelson,who thanked the Town,Town Meeting Members and the
Community Preservation Committee for support of the Parker's Revenge Project,a 2015 CPA-
funded initiative.
7:42 p.m. The Moderator called Special Town Meeting back to order and open under Article 1.
ARTICLE 1:REPORTS OF TOWN BOARDS,OFFICERS,COMMITTEES
7:43 p.m. Glenn Parker,Chair,Appropriation Committee,moved the Report of the Committee
be received and placed on file.Unanimously Adopted.
7:43 p.m. Jill Hai,Chair,Capital Expenditures Committee moved the Report of the Committee
be received and placed on file.Unanimously Adopted.
7:43 p.m. Marilyn Fenollosa,Chair,Community Preservation Committee,moved the Report of
the Committee be received and placed on file.Unanimously Adopted.
7:44 p.m. Suzanne Barry,Chair of the Board of Selectmen,moved the report of the Assistant
Town Manager for Finance be received and placed on file.Unanimously Adopted.Ms.Barry asked
to have Robert Addelson,Assistant Town Manager for Finance recognized.Mr.Addelson presented
his Report.
7:47 p.m. Presented by Selectman Suzanne Barry.
ARTICLE 2: LAND PURCHASE—171-173 BEDFORD STREET
MOTION: That(a)the Selectmen be authorized to purchase,take by eminent domain or
otherwise acquire for municipal or school purposes,any fee,easement,or other
interest in all or any part of land known as 171-173 Bedford Street and shown as Lot
76 on Assessors'Property Map 64,now or formerly owned by the Liberty Mutual
Insurance Company,on such terms and conditions as the Selectmen may determine,
and to conduct all necessary site surveys,environmental assessments and to incur
legal and closing costs in connection therewith;that$4,443,000 be appropriated for
such land acquisition and related costs,including,but not limited to,an architectural
and engineering study of the site for use by the Fire Department,and that to raise such
amount,the Treasurer,with the approval of the Board of Selectmen,is authorized to
borrow$4,443,000 under M.G.L. Chapter 44,Section 7,as amended,or pursuant to
any other enabling authority;and(b)that the Selectmen be authorized to lease a
portion of said land to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company or an affiliated entity
thereof,subject to terms acceptable to the Selectmen. Any premium received by the
Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote,less the cost of
preparing,issuing and marketing them,and any accrued interest received upon the
delivery of such bonds or notes,may be applied to the payment of project costs
approved by this vote,thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay
such costs by like amount.
7:51 p.m. Selectman Barry presented the requested action,and reported the unanimous support
of the Board. She explained that the Selectmen were supporting the purchase of the Bedford Street
property for swing space during reconstruction of the main Fire Station,noting that the approval of
Article 2,assumed support for the reconstruction. She stated that 25,000 square feet would be needed
to meet Fire Department needs.
7:54 p.m. Town Manager,Carl Valente discussed the plan for the use of the Bedford Street
building,giving an overview of costs,the reconstruction timeline and the financing plan.
8:06 p.m. Robert Addelson,Assistant Town Manager for Finance,presented the financing plan
for the purchase of the property,discussing debt service costs and the impact on the tax rate.
September 21, 2016 Special Town Meeting#5
8:15 p.m. Fire Chief,John Wilson,presented Fire Department space and programmatic needs.
8:18 p.m. Jill Hai,Chair,Capital Expenditures Committee,reported support in a(4-1)vote.
8:18 p.m. Glenn Parker,Chair,Appropriation Committee reported support in an(8-0)vote.
8:18 p.m. William Hurley,Chair, School Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
8:19 p.m. Dawn McKenna,Pct. 6,questioned the use of stabilization funds and whether funding
for the renovation of the Visitor Center was included in the financial projections.Mr.Addelson
responded in the negative.
8:22 p.m. Paul Lapointe,Pct.2,questioned the status of the Pelham Road acquisition.Mr.
Valente responded.
8:26 p.m. Patrick Goddard,Director of Facilities,responded to questions regarding renovation
planning and design for the Fire Department building.
8:36 p.m. Steve Heinrich,Pct.3,questioned whether the renovation costs were part of the
financial analysis presented.Mr.Valente responded that they were not,explaining that such costs had
yet to be determined.
8:39 p.m. With no further questions,the Moderator called for a vote.
8:40 p.m. Following electronic vote tallying,the Moderator declared Article 2 Adopted by the
necessary two-thirds on a vote of:
Yes No Abstain
134 3 4
8:41 p.m. Presented by Selectman Suzanne Barry.
ARTICLE 3: SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLS—
ADDITIONS AND REMODELING
MOTION: That this article be indefinitely postponed.
8:41 p.m. Selectmen Barry stated that this article had been included as a place holder in the
event it was needed;she reported the unanimous support of the Board for its postponement.
8:41 p.m. William Hurley,Chair, School Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
8:41 p.m. Jill Hai,Chair,Capital Expenditures Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
8:41 p.m. Glenn Parker,Chair,Appropriation Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
8:42 p.m. With no further discussion,the Moderator called the question.
8:42 p.m. Following a unanimous voice vote,the Moderator declared Article 3 Adopted.
8:42 p.m. The Moderator called the meeting open on Article 4,and recognized William Hurley,
Chair of the School Committee.
8:43 p.m. Presented by School Committee Chair,William Hurley.
ARTICLE 4: SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES
CAPITAL PROJECTS
MOTION: That the Town appropriate$910,000,in addition to the amount voted under Article 2
of Special Town Meeting-1 held on November 2,2015,for the purchase and
installation of six modular classrooms,and that to raise such amount the Treasurer,
with the approval of the Board of Selectmen,is authorized to borrow$910,000 under
M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 7,as amended,or any other enabling authority. Any
premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this
vote,less the cost of preparing,issuing and marketing them,and any accrued interest
received upon the delivery of such bonds or notes,may be applied to the payment of
project costs approved by this vote,thereby reducing the amount authorized to be
borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount.
8:43 p.m. Mr.Hurley gave an overview of the request for additional funding and moved the
Report of the School Committee on Article 4 be received and placed on file.Unanimously Adopted.
He asked the Moderator to recognize Patrick Goddard,Director of Facilities,to give the details of the
supplemental funding request.
8:44 p.m. Mr.Goddard reviewed the background of the project and identified the additional
funding needs for Bowman,Bridge and Fiske Schools.
8:56 p.m. Joseph Pato,member,Board of Selectmen,made a brief statement and reported the
unanimous support of the Board.
September 21, 2016 Special Town Meeting#5
8:57 p.m. Rod Cole,Pct.9,member,Capital Expenditures Committee,reported the support of
the Committee in a(4-0)vote.
8:58 p.m. Glenn Parker,Chair,Appropriation Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
8:58 p.m. Dawn McKenna,Pct. 6,questioned square footage costs,the lifetime of the project
and the value of constructed versus modular classrooms.Mr.Goddard responded.
9:05 p.m. Mr.Hurley answered questions regarding enrollment.
9:07 p.m. The Moderator called the question.
9:08 p.m. Following electronic vote tallying,the Moderator declared Article 4 Adopted by the
necessary two-thirds on a vote of:
Yes No Abstain
134 3 1
9:09 p.m. Presented by Selectman Peter Kelly.
ARTICLE 5: APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR POLICE STATION FEASIBILITY STUDY
MOTION: That the Town appropriate$65,000 for studying the feasibility of siting,
constructing and equipping a new police station,and that to meet this appropriation
$65,000 be raised in the tax levy.
9:09 p.m. Selectman Kelly presented the need to update a 2011 study of space needs for the
Police Department,particularly in light of the purchase of the 171-173 Bedford Street property.He
reported the unanimous support of the Board.
9:10 p.m. Jill Hai,Chair,Capital Expenditures Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
9:11 p.m. Glenn Parker,Chair,Appropriation Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
9:11 p.m. With no questions from the floor,the Moderator called the question.
9:12 p.m. Following electronic vote tallying,the Moderator declared Article 5 Adopted on a
vote of:
Yes No Abstain
134 2 2
9:12 p.m. Presented by Selectmen Norman Cohen.
ARTICLE 6: AMEND FY2017 OPERATING,ENTERPRISE FUND AND COMMUNITY
PRESERVATION BUDGETS
MOTION: (a)That the following adjustments be made to the following line items for the FY2017
budget as approved under Article 4 of the 2016 Annual Town Meeting:
Line Item Program From To
8500 Town Clerk Personal Services $362,681 $ 368,039
8500 Town Clerk Personal Expenses $124,675 $ 125,567
8320 Misc. Boards and Committees $ 4,500 $ 34,500
7100 Land Use, Health and Development Expenses $414,153 $ 436,613
and,that said adjustments be funded from the tax levy.
MOTION: (b)That the following adjustment be made to the following line item for the FY2017
budget to operate the Water Division of the Department of Public Works as approved
under Article 5(a)of the 2016 Annual Town Meeting:
Program From To
MWRA Water Assessment $ 7,378,622 $ 7,349,661
and,further that$90,500 be appropriated from Water Fund Retained Earnings to
support the FY17 Water Division Budget in addition to$131,000 of Retained
Earnings appropriated under Article 5(a)of the 2016 Annual Town Meeting.
MOTION: (c)That the following amounts be appropriated to the following line item for the
FY2017 budget to operate the Wastewater(Sewer)Division of the Department of
Public Works as approved under Article 5(b)of the 2016 Annual Town Meeting,and
that said amounts be transferred from the following sources:
Program From To
MWRA Wastewater Assessment $ 7,311,103 $ 7,265,870
September 21, 2016 Special Town Meeting#5
MOTION: (d)That the following adjustment be made to the FY2017 budget of the Community
Preservation Committee as approved under Article 8(p)of the 2016 Annual Town
Meeting:
Program From To
CPA Debt Service and Related Costs $ 3,289,721 $ 3,329,721
and that said adjustment be funded from the Undesignated Fund Balance of the
Community Preservation Fund.
9:12 p.m. Selectman Cohen reviewed the adjustments to sections(a-d)and reported unanimous
support of the Board.
9:16 p.m. Jill Hai,Chair,Capital Expenditures Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee for section(d).
9:16 p.m. Glenn Parker,Chair,Appropriation Committee,reported unanimous support for all
sections of Article 6.
9:17 p.m. Marilyn Fenollosa,Chair,Community Preservation Committee,reported support of
the Committee in a(7-0)vote.
9:17 p.m. Richard Canale,Pct.9,Planning Board member and liaison to the 20/20 Vision
Committee,reported the Planning Board's unanimous support of the 20/20 Vision Committee's
request for the supplemental appropriation.
9:18 p.m. Kenneth Shine,Pct.2,questioned the urgency of the supplemental appropriation(line
item 8320).
9:18 p.m. Selectmen Barry asked the Moderator to recognize Peter Enrich,Pct.4,member of the
2020 Vision Committee.Mr.Enrich responded that the appropriation would be used for the timely
collection of demographic data.
9:20 p.m. Mr. Shine called for individual votes on sections(a-d).The Moderator declined,and
with no further questions,moved the question.
9:21 p.m. Following electronic vote tallying,the Moderator declared Article 6 Adopted on a
vote of:
Yes No Abstain
132 0 3
9:21 p.m. Presented by Selectman Michelle Ciccolo.
ARTICLE 7: ESTABLISH AND APPROPRIATE TO AND FROM SPECIFIED
STABLIZATION FUNDS
MOTION: (a)That$48,621.58 be appropriated to the Transportation Demand Management
Stabilization Fund,and to meet this appropriation$48,621.58 be transferred from the
Transportation Demand Management special revenue account;
(b)That$1,878,771 be appropriated to the Capital Stabilization Fund,and to meet this
appropriation$1,878,771 be raised in the tax levy.
9:21 p.m. Selectman Ciccolo discussed the two transfers to capital stabilization funds,focusing
on section(b),which she explained would help mitigate impacts of recent appropriations. She
reported unanimous support of the Board.
9:23 p.m. Glenn Parker,Chair,Appropriation Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee.
9:23 p.m. Jill Hai,Chair,Capital Expenditures Committee,reported unanimous support of the
Committee for section(b).
9:23 p.m. Paul Lapointe,Pct.2 called for separate votes on the sections.The Board of Selectmen
agreed.
9:24 p.m. Mr.Lapointe questioned whether part(b)could wait until the 2017 Annual Town
Meeting.
9:24 p.m. Selectman Ciccolo asked the Moderator to recognize Town Manager,Carl Valente,
who explained that the transfer was necessary before the Selectmen set the tax rate in November.
9:27 p.m. Dawn McKenna,Pct. 6,questioned whether funds appropriated to the Capital
Stabilization Fund would be available for a renovation of the Visitor Center.Mr.Valente responded
in the positive.
9:28 p.m. David Kanter,Pct. 7,urged support of section(b).
9:30 p.m. With no further questions,the Moderator called for a vote.
September 21, 2016 Special Town Meeting#5
9:30 p.m. Following electronic vote tallying,the Moderator declared Article 7(a)Adopted by
the necessary two-thirds on a vote of:
Yes No Abstain
135 0 1
and Article 7(b)Adopted by the necessary two-thirds on a vote of:
Yes No Abstain
129 3 4
9:33 p.m. Selectman Suzanne Barry moved to dissolve Special Town Meeting#5.Motion
Adopted.
A true copy.
Attest:
Nathalie L.Rice,Town Clerk