Advisory Committee Present: Robert Czekanski
March 27, 2012 Connie Benjamin
Terry Abdalian
Mike Zelenkov
Naveen Rohatgi
The Advisory Committee met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Present: David Lindsay, Board of Selectman
ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Advisory Committee reviewed and voted on their recommendations for the following articles:
Article 3: Fiscal Year 2013 Operating Budget - The actual sum of money set forth in the budget for purposes of operating and maintaining the various departments of the Town was inadvertently left out of the article. Ms. Day confirmed that the sum to be added to the article is $19,842,663.
On a motion made by Abdalian and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve this article. (Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Abdalian – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Rohatgi – yes)
Article 5: Replacement of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and Turnout Gear for Fire Department – The Advisory Committee at their meeting on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 voted to approve this article. At tonight’s meeting they reviewed the revised summary provided by Fire Chief Mentzer and continued to question whether the grant would be denied if any money was spent. Ms. Abdalian would like to have this confirmed by Fire Chief Mentzer.
Article 7: Establishment of Stabilization Fund for Minuteman Regional School District - The Advisory Committee at their meeting on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 voted to approve this article.
Mr. Czekanski reported that he participated in a conference call with Town Administrator Don Lowe, Selectman David Lindsay, Supt. Bouquillon and Director of Business and Operations Camie Lamica regarding the article to establish a stabilization fund. The stabilization fund would be a separate fund used for capital repairs. The excess deficiency fund is a different fund used to balance the budget. The excess deficiency fund has a limit of up to $800,000. The current balance of the fund is $400,000 and Minuteman has proposed using $200,000 of the fund for the FY13 budget.
Article 8: Field and Track Replacement Project At Nashoba Regional High School – Ms. Day confirmed that the first sentence of the summary was revised to read “The Nashoba Regional School Committee has voted to renovate the existing track, install an artificial turf field, construct a five (5) court tennis facility and construct a new concession building with personal facilities at a cost of $2,210,000.”
A motion made by Benjamin to reopen discussion on this article was not seconded.
Therefore the Advisory Committee’s recommendation voted on March 20, 2012 remained as follows: “Disapproved (Unanimous) (The Advisory Committee supports this project and therefore recommends disapproval of this article)”.
Article 16: Citizen’s Petition – Rezoning - On a motion made by Benjamin and seconded by Czekanski, the Advisory Committee voted against approving this article. (Benjamin – yes, Czekanski – yes, Abdalian- no, Zelenkov – no, Rohatgi – no)
On a motion made by Abdalian and seconded by Rohatgi, the Advisory Committee voted to reconsider their vote (Czekanski –yes, Benjamin – yes, Abdalian – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Rohatgi – yes)
On a motion made by Abdalian and seconded by Rohatgi, the Advisory Committee voted to disapprove this article. (Abdalian – yes, Zelenkov –yes, Rohatgi – yes, Czekanski – no, Benjamin – no)
Article 27: Amendment to Zoning Bylaws, to add Section 2.5.8 Commercial Solar Photovoltaic Renewal Energy Installation - A motion made by Abdalian and seconded by Rohatgi to disapprove this article was withdrawn.
On a motion made by Zelenkov and seconded by Rohatgi, the Advisory Committee voted to approve this article. (Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Abdalian – no, Rohatgi – abstained)
Article 28: Amendment to the Zoning Bylaws, Section 2.3.4 Use Table - On a motion made by Zelenkov and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve this article.
(Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Abdalian – no, Rohatgi – abstained)
Article 29: Citizen’s Petition – Solar Property Tax Agreement, 125 Still River Road – It was reported that Town Counsel’s opinion is that this article as written is insufficient and is not legal for town meeting to delegate authorization to the Board of Selectmen to enter into and execute an agreement on behalf of the town. Town Counsel will have further discussion with the Department of Revenue regarding this matter.
On a motion made by Benjamin and seconded by Abdalian, the Advisory Committee voted to reconsider their vote on this article. (Czekanski – no, Benjamin – yes, Abdalian – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Rohatgi – yes)
On a motion made by Abdalian and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to make their recommendation on town meeting floor (Czekanski – yes, Abdalian – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Rohatgi – no)
Article 30: Local Historic District Commission - On a motion made by Abdalian and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to make their recommendation on town meeting floor. (Czekanski – no, Abdalian – yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Rohatgi – no)
FURTHER AUTHORIZATION
On a motion made by Rohatgi and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to authorize Mr. Czekanski and Ms. Benjamin to change any of the Advisory Committee recommendations to “recommendation on town meeting floor” and to make minor revisions to the Advisory Committee Statement if necessary as a result of information received between now and the execution of the Annual Town Meeting warrant by the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, March 29, 2012. (Czekanski – yes, Abdalian –yes, Benjamin – yes, Zelenkov – yes, Rohatgi – yes)
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
The Advisory Committee reviewed the statement for the Annual Town Meeting warrant prepared by Mr. Czekanski. Minor revisions were suggested.
On a motion made by Abdalian and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day
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