2016 Town Meeting - Night Six

Tonight was an OK night at town meeting.  I think we got a reasonable amount accomplished, but it didn't really feel like it at the time.  The first half of the night really dragged along, but the results were positive.

We started back in the Special Town Meeting on article six.  This article had been postponed until tonight to allow the school task force to issue a report and the finance committee to vote on a recommended vote.  This article authorizes funds for a feasibility study for returning the Gibbs School to use as a school.  There were many speakers in favor of the article without any real opposition.  There was some question about whether a feasibility study is required (no, but good plans start with good data) and what will become of ACA (still looking for space, looking for donations).  A motion to end debate was heartily approved, and we voted overwhelmingly to support the article.  That allowed us to dissolve the special town meeting and return to the annual meeting.

This was the moment for my motion for reconsideration on article 29, releasing an easement on a residential property.  I proposed reconsideration because new information was made available after we voted last week.  That information indicated that several questions during the discussion were answered incorrectly, creating a false impression of what was at stake.  I felt strongly that we needed to discuss the article with the full information before us, so we could make a properly informed decision.  The motion for reconsideration passed handily, but was met almost immediately by a motion to table the article.  The proponent felt this was happening too quickly, and there wasn't enough information.  There was a lot of confusion, because the motion to table was made and seconded before it was clear that the proponent really wanted to postpone discussion, which would be a different motion.  As it was, the members very strongly denied the motion through a voice vote, and we proceeded with the discussion.

The debate seemed to have a few different tacks, based on how one looked at the facts.  The release would allow the property owner to redivide two existing parcels to make them both developable.  The land was not held by the town; the town held a right to keep the land clear to allow subsequent development of a road in the future.  The town has no plans to construct the road, so there is no reason to hold the restriction.  Based on a calculation that included reimbursing the town for the original fee plus several years worth of missed taxation, the town was set to receive $28,000 for the release.  Some felt that was a fair way to assess the value.  Others thought fair market value would be better.  Based on the area and the assessment, that would be over $200,000.  However, this is the land cost, and the owner owns the land already.  Other speakers pointed out that similar restrictions had been released without compensation in the past.  After haveing debate terminated, town meeting voted to approve the release for a second time.  Although the result was the same, we had a fair hearing with all the facts.  I believe that has its own value.

We then picked back up with article 35 and the budgets.  I spoke in regards to the ZBA's budget, encouraging town meeting to increase the budget should the meeting decide to increase the workload for the board in the future.  Last year, the board handled around 24 cases with a budget of $20,000.  That works out to $833 per case.  However, the fee is only $400.  Many nearby communities charge 3 - 4 times that amount.  I hope this will be considered.

We adjourned at the end of the discussion regarding the public safety budgets.  We will pick up on Monday with the inspectional services budget.  If I have time this weekend, I will try to put together a better record of fees vs. expenses.  Given my real work workload, it probably won't happen.

My bet is we have 1.5 nights left.  Let's see if we can get things moving on Monday.

My thanks to those who read my notes.