Alas, sometimes the best plans go awry. I kept very careful notes on Wednesday night, but I didn't synchronize the file, and when I went to flesh it out on Thursday, it was gone. ARGH. I will have to go from memory. (Fat chance - a year later, and no idea what happened.)
We started with the traditional singing of the anthem and acceptance of reports. Our deliberations started with Article 22. This article corrected citation errors in the zoning bylaw. During recodification, we missed a few references, and this made the corrections. It was readily adopted. Article 23 had been voted no action during the consent agenda. Article 24 was a citizen initiative on behalf of the Residential Study Group to correct a problem with our definition for a half story. Our residential zoning is based on a 2 1/2 story house. This should be a two story house with a partly built out attic floor. Under the former definition, it was possible to build out the attic into a complete third floor without violating the letter of the law. This article would correct that problem.
I proposed an amendment to resolve two other issues with the definition. The former definition listed specific roof shapes, which precluded other roof shapes. I proposed to extend the definition to all sloped roof shapes. I also proposed establishing a minimum roof slope to qualify for a half-story. The chosen slope is the flattest roof that can support an asphalt shingle with full underlayment, 2:12. After a few questions, the amendment was adopted and the amended article was approved.
Article 25 was voted no action under the consent agenda.
Article 26 was the second part of the vote on the revised sign bylaw. Our former bylaw was in both the zoning and general bylaws. The earlier vote under Article 17 replaced the portion in the zoning bylaw, and this article would make the corresponding change in the general bylaw. After some discussion about the effects of the change and what regulations remain, the article was adopted.
Article 27 was about the amount of time speakers have at Town Meeting. In the past, speakers had up to 15 minutes to make their case. That was first reduced to 10 minutes, then to the 7 minutes we have today. This proposal was to reduce that to 5 minutes. The Town Meeting Procedures Committee recommended a no action vote, but the Select Board voted to approve the measure believing that it would improve Town Meeting's efficiency and encourage participation. The There was a substitute motion to
No comments:
Post a Comment