Town Meeting Warrant Review

Town Meeting delegates will convene Monday, May 7, at 7:15 pm in the auditorium to consider 29 warrant articles.
Items likely to generate discussion or debate include proposed large appropriations, land acquisitions and zoning changes.

• Article 6 proposes spending $50,000 to buy four lots totaling 134,597 square feet from Bertram Living Facilities. The land is located behind the town pumping station on Humphrey Street. Possible land uses mentioned by local officials include a dog park and a secondary exit for the new police station. Sponsored by the town administrator. 
• Article 8 proposes spending $25,000 for a community visioning study. The town has applied for grant funding for a visioning study. The proposed spending in this article would ensure the town has funding for the session if the grant does not pan out. If the grant does pan out, then this funding would be used to expand the session or hold a second visioning session. Sponsored by the Planning Board. 
• Article 12 includes $1,857,856 for Blocksidge Field Improvements including an artifical surface. For a discussion of this item check out
• Article 18 proposes changing the town zoning bylaws to the Temple Israel Planned Development District property. Selectmen have accepted a bid on the property from Atlantic Crossing LLC. For the developer to proceed with permitting for residential development the town's zoning bylaws must be changed. Sponsored by selectmen.
• Article 19 proposes that selectmen acquire temporary construction easements on properties near to accommodate a Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program for students who walk and bile to school. The project was selected for a $450,000 federal grant. The town, however, must appropriate $37,700 to offer payment to fund the easements. Sponsored by selectmen.
• Article 21 proposes that the town change its zoning bylaws to make the Planning Board the site plan special permit granting authority in all cases. That authority now flows to the ZBA if an applicant is also seeking any other special permit or a variance.

For further information about these articles, the town budget and all the other articles please check out the town warrant .