What Will Be The Most Discussed Article at Town Meeting This Weekend?
Town Meeting is on Saturday, what do you think will take center stage?
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We've only four more days until Town Meeting Day here in Westford at the Abbot School, and today we want to ask you: what will be the most talked about article on the warrant: both in terms of people talking during the meeting and the results afterward. (and no, we're not expecting any talk of gun bans.)
Here's a list of the expected articles. More information is at the town website.
#1. Accepting Town Reports
#2. Unpaid Bills from Previous Fiscal Years
#3. Fiscal Year 2013 Supplemental Appropriations
#4. Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Transfers
#5. Transfer from the Perchlorate Stabilization Fund for Perchlorate Expenses
#6. Appropriate Funds to Address Public Safety Hazards at 12 North Main Street.
#7. Authorize Expenditure from Insurance Receipts Reserved
#8. Capital Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2013
#9. Community Preservation Committee Recomendations
#10. Amend the Wage and Classification Plan
#11. Fiscal Year 2014 Operating Budget
#12. Authorize Revolving Fund
#13. Appropriate Chapter 90 Local Transportation Funds for Roadway Maintenance
#14. Accept MGL 39-3, Clause 56 for Abatements to National Guard Members
#15. Accept MGL 73-4 of 1956 as amended by Chapter 126 of 1988 related to Property Tax Exemptions of 100% for the blind, elderly and disabled veterans.
#16. Capital Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2014
#17. Authorize Lease Agreement for Radio Telecommunications Facility at the Highway Garage
#18. Authorize Board to Accept Easements
#19. Amend Section 6 of the Zoning Bylaws to add Temporary Moratorium on Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers *
#20. Replacing the Sign Bylaw in its Entirety.
#21. Amend Special Permits to Allow Applicants to Contribute Funds in Lieu of Sidewalk Construction.
#22. Updating References for Flood Plan Overlay Districts and Adding New Criteria for New Subdivisions
#23. Allowing Drive-Thru Restaurants through Special Permit by the Planning Board.
#24. Accept Misty Lane and Rolling Meadows Lane as Public Ways
#25. Acquire Acton Road Parcel
#26. Transferring Four Parcels from Tax Possessio Sale Committee to Conservation Commission
#27. Transferring Portion of the Jack Walsh Field for Two Parcels on Farmer Way
#28. Westford Woods
* - The Attorney General has indicated towns cannot ban the centers.
Dan
7:08 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I do expect some Buzzzzz about the School Budget being bigger than ever before with the inclusion of the new positions as we heard towards the budget crunch Jodi Ross has been forecasting for FY2015. I think in the end we will 'do it for the children' and approve it but I know some folks who want more than 'to maintain the quality of our schools' as when we have 30 teacher layoffs in 2 years its going to be tough to 'maintain the quality of the schools' then.
Sounds from conversation on the Patch that all are not in favor of the increasing SPED costs but I for one believe we need to support our challenged learners any way possible even when its not mandated by law.
Vincent DiRico
9:04 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Buzzzzz this tax payer is hearing is that ~ 50 million little friends are sent over each year, spend them as you see fit, but be careful with each one because someone had to work very hard for each of them: SPED costs, SRO, more bodies, maintaining extra space in every building, steps, no steps, ... some wise, some not so much. 2.5 override -> not even close, so the easy/temporary band-aid is off the table!
Local
9:26 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Next year the WPS will be asking for about 2-4 million more "friends" to come and join the fun so start prepping now, Its true that we 'get by with a little help from our friends" and even "get highhhh with a little help from our friends" so keep sending those friends!
Vincent DiRico
6:30 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Given the law suits, this year's 2.5 fizzle, over capacity and other facts on the bloat: I can tell you MY friends are comfortable right where they are and have no intention of leaving me any time soon. Asking is NOT getting :O
Jamaal
7:08 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
@Vincent maybe YOUR friends an be OUR friends in the future?
Vincent DiRico
7:42 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Shh on the drugs on this thread ;)
I give, I give, I give: you know those ZEROs you collected this year, they were on me, enjoy!
Phil McKrackin
10:53 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Misty Lane a public way! Hooray! Hooray!
Ellen Harde
3:55 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Paul McKrackin - Misty Lane is proposed as a public way, but is not a public way unless and until a majority of the voters at Town Meeting Saturday vote in favor of Article 24.
Ellen Harde, Moderator
Tom A. Toe
6:21 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Hey Phil, I think your sarcasm is lost on Ms. Harde. By the way, Ellen, how are your minions going to vote tomorrow?
I love kittens
6:26 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Westford Woods. If you think a historical sign saying East Boston Camps makes it unfriendly and you have emotional scarring from childhood making you think that the place is a place you can't go, then wouldn't it be easier for Westford to add a second sign saying "public welcome". Many of us fought hard to purchase East Boston Camps. For some, that sign is a victory of an entire town getting behind the purchase and making it happen.