MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
December 3, 2007
Present at the meeting that was held at the Hale Middle School Library, following a Joint Boards meeting on Articles 3 and 4 of the Special Town Meeting, were Chairman Stephen Dungan and Selectmen Jason Robart, Thomas Ruggiero, and Ellen Sturgis.
Selectman Kathleen Farrell was absent.
Also present were Town Administrator William Wrigley, Town Counsel Jon Witten, and Administrative Assistant Susan McLaughlin.
The Special Town Meeting scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm had been postponed until Wednesday night, due to inclement weather. The selectmen decided to hold both the joint boards and selectmen’s meeting already scheduled for the evening.
Mr. Dungan called the meeting to order at approximately 6:20 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting was to vote the Board’s positions on its own article, Article 3, “Purchase Snow Property,” and Article 4, “Purchase Snow Property and Create Recreational Facilities,” sponsored by Community Preservation and Recreation.
Regarding Article 3:
Mr. Dungan opened the topic by stating that Article 3 is now a non-starter, given the Town’s recent meeting with the landowner on the $1.3M purchase price and his doubt that Article 3’s $850.0k purchase price was viable.
Ms. Sturgis said she wants Article 3 changed back to include Affordable Housing as one of the proposed uses.
Mr. Ruggiero moved to take No Action on Article 3; Mr. Robart seconded.
During discussion of the motion, the main points were made:
· People are still concerned with the $1.3M asking price.
· After meeting with Mr. Snow, $850.0k is a “no go.”
· Support for taking No Action on Article 3.
· Could the Selectmen move to amend the Article 4 land purchase price on Town Meeting floor? Per Mr. Wrigley, no, because whatever was voted by Community Preservation stands until re-voted by them.
· Recreation/Community Preservation article will actually cost taxpayers less than Article 3’s Raise and Appropriate $850.0k by borrowing.
· Based on Recreation and Community Preservation’s goal to offer a complete package, Article 3 looks obstructionist.
· Land purchase and recreational development should be two separate articles, not combined.
· Moving forward with Article 3 would hamper, not help.
The Board’s vote to take No Action on Article 3 was unanimous. The motion carries.
Town Moderator Newman discussed the order of presentations for Article 4.
Regarding a vote on the Board’s support of Article 4, it was agreed to postpone until Wednesday night, so that Ms. Farrell could vote.
Having concluded the Board’s business, Mr. Dungan recessed the Selectmen’s meeting until December 5, 2007 at 6:30 p.m., at the Hale School Library.
Ms. Sturgis moved to adjourn the Joint Boards meeting; Mr. Robart seconded, and all voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan McLaughlin
Administrative Assistant, Board of Selectmen
Approved as written, December 11, 2007
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