Minutes of Meeting – April 24, 2013; meeting called to order at 7:00pm. Present: Ken Fowler;
Ed Lane; Channing Gibson; John McNinch. Absent: Dave Roche.
The purpose of this special meeting was to review the Town Meeting articles as a preview to next Thursday’s ATM. Each article was read and Selectmen provided brief explanations. Discussions with members of the audience took place on many of the articles.
Lucy Kennedy, Chairperson of the FinCom, provided an overview of the fiscal challenges facing the Town – expenses growing faster than our population which is flat or declining; looming infrastructure needs and ballooning legacy costs. The proposed FY14 budget starts us down a path to address these issues by holding down increases and building reserves for future needs.
Discussions turned to the School budget. The detailed budget is on the School’s web site. School Choice was explained in some detail as was the new strategic planning process the School Committee is undertaking.
Regarding Community Preservation projects, audience members expressed concerns about funding non-profits that in the future may no longer be in operation. Others expressed the need to support these Town treasures, noting the draw they are for tourists.
A lengthy discussion was held on the proposed Conservation Restriction for the watershed lands. Tad Ames, BNRC Director who provided technical assistance to the committee, went over the CR in detail. Audience members expressed a range of opinions about the proposed CR. Many supported it, citing the need to ensure the land remains mostly in its existing natural state, while others expressed a reluctance to limit the options future generations will have for the land. It will be up to the voters at Town Meeting to decide.
After concluding the review of all the articles, BOS Chairman KF announced existing vacancies of various boards and commissions. He also asked that we add a third line to speed up check-in for the ATM. All agreed.
MOTION by JM, seconded by CG to endorse the adoption of a Conservation Restriction as presented in an article on the warrant of the upcoming Annual Town Meeting. 4/0 vote.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Mary Ellen Deming Clerk
Director of Administrative Services Board of Selectmen
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