This document is provided by the Town Administrator and is a simple explanation of the articles to be discussed at the June 5, 2017 Annual Town Meeting. Please feel free to print this out and bring it with you for the night of Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 1 – TOWN REPORTS OF OFFICERS
AND COMMITTEES OF THE TOWN
This article is the acceptance of all reports as included in the Annual Town Report. The Town Meeting usually defers the actual reading of the reports as they are provided in a printed format.
ARTICLE 2 – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The CPA Committee is required to submit a report to Town Meeting on the proposed use of CPA Funds. The CPA Committee Report is an appendix to the Finance Committee Handbook for Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 3 – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION APPROPRIATION FOR
THE RESTORATION OF NORTH CEMETERY
The CPA Committee seeks authorization from the Town for $9,500 of Community Preservation funds to aid in the conservation and restoration of the North Cemetery.
ARTICLE 4 – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION APPROPRIATION FOR
HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY
The CPA Committee seeks authorization from the Town for $20,000 of Community Preservation funds to assist the Sturbridge Historical Association to contract for professional services to develop an inventory of historic structures and assets of the Town in accordance with our Master Plan. The Town expects to see a $10,000 grant to assist in this effort as well.
ARTICLE 5 – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION APPROPRIATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
The CPA Committee seeks authorization from the Town for operating & administrative expenses of the Community Preservation Committee. Any unused funds from the requested $15,000 will revert back to the CPA Undesignated balance at the close of the fiscal year.
ARTICLE 6 – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION – BORROWING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RECREATION COURTS
One of the major projects being planned for in the upcoming year will be the renovation of the Cedar Lake Tennis & Basketball Courts. The project calls for an appropriation of $306,850 of which most of which will be borrowed. As such, the article will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 7 – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION – BORROWING
FOR OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION
This article asks the Town to consider whether or not the Town should exercise their right of first refusal and purchase 14 & 50 Douty Road, properties once classified as Chapter 61a property for agricultural purposes and are currently under a purchase & sale agreement. Several boards & committees in Town have advocated for its purchase using CPA funds. It is a 241 ½ acre site and the purchase calls for an appropriation of $850,000 which will be borrowed. As such, the article will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 8 – ROAD CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
This article seeks to fund road repair and maintenance necessary in the Town of Sturbridge. The amount requested is $458,000.
ARTICLE 9 – REVALUATION/INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS
This article seeks to fund revaluations and interim adjustments through the assessor’s office in the amount of $35,000.
ARTICLE 10 – TOWN BUDGET
This is the proposed budget for the Town of Sturbridge. This year the Town Administrator has recommended an amount to be appropriated of $31,478,500.
ARTICLE 11 – WATER DEPARTMENT BUDGET
This is the proposed budget for the Sturbridge Water Department. The budgeted amount is $1,493,792 and is paid by the ratepayers of the community. This budget allows for the support of the department with no rate increases over last year.
ARTICLE 12 – SEWER DEPARTMENT BUDGET
This is the proposed budget for the Sturbridge Sewer Department. The budgeted amount is $2,796,856 and is paid by the ratepayers of the community. This budget allows for the support of the department with no rate increases over last year.
ARTICLE 13 – SEWER PROJECT DEBT
This warrant article appropriates the funds necessary to pay debt service on the several sewer projects the Town of Sturbridge has undertaken over the past decade. These debt service payments are repaid through betterment assessments from the property owners within the specific sewer projects and are not supported by either general property taxes or other sewer customers through the sewer rate. This is an ongoing debt service obligation of the Town.
ARTICLE 14 – PUBLIC ACCESS DEPARTMENT BUDGET
This is the proposed budget for the Sturbridge Public Access Department. The budgeted amount is $101,967 and is paid by the cable subscribers of the community.
ARTICLE 15 – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION DEBT
This article provides the appropriation to pay the costs (from the Community Preservation Fund) for previously approved debt issuances for the acquisition of open space known as the Heins Farm, OSV parcels, Stallion Hill/Holland Road parcels and the renovation of the Town Hall and Center Office. The funds for this article come from the surcharge for the Community Preservation Act and are for an ongoing debt service obligation of the Town.
ARTICLE 16 – REVOLVING FUNDS
This article needs to be approved annually to operate our revolving funds. This allows a community to raise~revenues~from a specific service and use those revenues without~appropriation~to support the service. For departmental revolving funds, MGL~Ch. 44 §53E½~stipulates that each fund must be re-authorized each year at annual town meeting, and that a limit on the total amount that may be spent from each fund must be established at that time. The aggregate of all revolving funds may not exceed ten percent of the amount raised by taxation by the city or town in the most recent fiscal year, and no more than one percent of the amount raised by taxation may be administered by a single fund. Wages or salaries for full-time employees may be paid from the revolving fund only if the fund is also charged for all associated fringe benefits. The only change in this year’s authorization from last year’s authorization is the creation of a CPR and House Numbering revolving fund at $5,000
each.
ARTICLE 17 – STURBRIDGE TOURIST ASSOCIATION
This is an annual article which dedicates a portion of the hotel/motel tax received by the Town each year to support the Sturbridge Tourist Association to market tourism opportunities in Sturbridge. This year the amount to be dedicated to the Association is $161,957. It covers the marketing & advertising costs for the Town as well as community support and the salary of an Economic Development/Tourism Coordinator position to assist in the promotion of the Town.
ARTICLE 18 – BETTERMENT COMMITTEE
This is an annual article which dedicates a portion of the hotel/motel tax received by the Town each year to be used for public safety, recreation and beautification efforts in Sturbridge. This year the amount to be dedicated to the Town’s betterment is $161,957.
ARTICLE 19 - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
This article funds a portion of the highest rated capital needs of Sturbridge. Annually all of the Town’s capital needs are reviewed and rated based upon established standards and are presented for consideration by the voters at Town Meeting. This year the Town is seeking approval of expenditures totaling $470,300.
ARTICLE 20 – TRANSFER OF FUNDS FOR TREE PLANTING
This article seeks to transfer $5000 to the Shade Tree Account in order properly care for and maintain roadside trees in the community.
ARTICLE 21 – AMBULANCE STABILIZATION FUND
This annual article allows for adding $60,000 into the ambulance stabilization fund for the purchase of a new ambulance. Our current plan is to replace ambulances on a 7 year schedule.
ARTICLE 22 – FIRE VEHICLE STABILIZATION FUND
This annual article allows for adding $100,000 into the newly created Fire Vehicle stabilization fund for the purchase of large fire apparatus in the future.
ARTICLE 23 – OPEB TRUST FUND
The Town of Sturbridge has been proactively working on a problem facing nearly every community across the country; the problem of ‘Other Post Employment Benefits’. Sturbridge residents should be proud of the efforts made so far and this warrant article will provide an infusion of $100,000 to meet this future obligation.
ARTICLE 24 – OPEN SPACE PLAN FUNDS
This article seeks an appropriation of $5000 to assist in the update of the Open Space Plan, scheduled to be updated in the upcoming year.
ARTICLE 24 – TAX RATE RELIEF
This article continues an effort of the Town to reduce the taxes imposed upon the taxpayers. This article will utilize available free cash totaling $250,000 in order to reduce the tax rate.
ARTICLE 26 – CAPITAL STABILIZATION FUND
This annual article allows for adding $159,000 into the capital stabilization fund in order to properly replace/purchase capital items in the town as recommended in our comprehensive fiscal policies.
ARTICLE 27 – BETTERMENT PAYOFFS
This article seeks a transfer of $75 pay the costs necessary for the dissolution of betterment liens.
ARTICLE 28 – ZONING BYLAW - PROHIBITION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
Recently the Town of Sturbridge voted 607-442 to prohibit the sale of recreational marijuana in Town. This article seeks to amend the zoning bylaws accordingly and would prohibit all non-medical commercial business related to marijuana. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 29 – ZONING BYLAW – TEMPORARY MORATORIUM
OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
The purpose of this temporary moratorium is to allow sufficient time to engage in a planning process to address the potential impacts of recreational marijuana establishments in the Town and to enact bylaws in a manner consistent with sound land use planning goals and objectives. It would be the Town’s intention to pass over this article if the previous article passes. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 30 – ZONING BYLAW – FOOD ESTABLISHMENT/FAST CASUAL
This proposal would update our categories of and definitions for restaurants contained within the bylaw to be more in line with industry standard definitions. This proposal would also add Fast Casual Restaurants and Walk Up Establishments (already defined in the bylaw) to the Commercial and Commercial II Zoning Districts. For reference a Walk Up Establishment is defined as “An establishment such as an ice cream or sandwich shop that by design of its physical facilities, service, or packaging, allows pedestrians to receive a service or obtain a product without entering the establishment. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 31 – ZONING BYLAW - DEFINITION OF SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED AND DETACHED DWELLING, & MULTI FAMILY DWELLING
This proposal will update the definitions to be consistent with the terminology used in the Open Space Residential Development Bylaw. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 32 – ZONING BYLAW – AMEND PERMITTED USES IN THE RURAL RESIDENTIAL, SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL AND SPECIAL USE DISTRICTS
This proposal updates the permitted uses to be consistent with the updated definitions contained in Article 33. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 33 – ZONING BYLAW – OPEN SPACE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
The proposed amendments seek to encourage attractive, creative development through modified dimensional requirements and greater housing diversity. The existing OSRD bylaw only allows single family detached homes and two family homes by special permit; however, single family dwellings, two family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, and accessory dwelling units are allowed by right or special permit in the underlying zoning districts. The proposed amendments would allow:
- Single family detached dwellings by right
- Single family attached dwellings by special permit
- Two family dwellings by special permit
- Multi-family dwellings by special permit
- Accessory dwelling units by special permit
Residential density would not change for allowed uses with proposed amendments to this bylaw. In no case will the number of permitted dwelling units in an OSRD exceed that which would be permitted under a conventional ("grid") subdivision that complies with the Town Zoning Bylaw and the Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 34 – ZONING BYLAW – MULTIPLE DWELLING PROJECTS
This proposal deletes Chapter 21 as this is redundant with the Open Space Residential Design as amended in Article 33. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 35 – ZONING BYLAW – RURAL & SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
This article deletes Multiple Dwelling Project as a permitted use as this was proposed to be deleted in the previous article. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 36 – OFF STREET PARKING, LOADING & DRIVE THRU STANDARDS
This proposal combines the parking and loading standards found within Chapter Twenty and Chapter Twenty-Five and places that language in one consolidated Chapter for ease of use. This new Chapter will also update standards by inserting language for alternative vehicle parking spaces, adding a new Table for required parking spaces and inserting procedures for reductions in required parking spaces and will also consolidate parking standards found throughout the bylaw into one Chapter. A new section on Drive Thru Facilities standards will also be inserted into this Chapter. The existing language is proposed to be deleted from Chapter Twenty and Twenty Five. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 37 – ZONING BYLAW – CHAPTER TWENTY – GENERAL REGULATIONS
This proposal deletes language now contained within the new Chapter 21 under Article 36. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 38 – ZONING BYLAW – CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE – SITE PLAN REVIEW
This proposal deletes language now contained within the new Chapter 21 under Article 36. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLE 39 – PETITIONED ARTICLE – ACCEPTANCE OF OLD TOWNE WAY
This is a petitioned article to accept Old Towne Way as a public road.
ARTICLE 40 – PETITIONED ARTICLE –
CHANGE TO ZONING MAP – 212-226 CHARLTON RD
This article is sought by the property owners of 212, 214, 216, and 226 Charlton Road, who are seeking a zone change from ‘Industrial’ to ‘Commercial.’ Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
ARTICLES 41 - PETITIONED ARTICLE –
AMEND CHAPTER 27 – VILLAGE GATEWAY DISTRICT
This article is sought to amend the Zoning Bylaws to allow for Fast Casual Restaurants with Drive Thru’s in the Village Gateway District. Since it is a Zoning Bylaw change, it will require a 2/3rds vote in order to pass.
Below are the articles to be discussed at the June 5, 2017 Special Town Meeting. It follows in numerical order from the last article of the last Special Town Meeting.
ARTICLE 54 – UNPAID BILLS OF A PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR
The Town must approve any expenditures from a prior fiscal year by a 9/10ths vote. This year the Town has a prior unpaid bills of $5,293.
ARTICLE 55 – TRANSFER OF FREE CASH TO ROADS FUNDS
This article seeks to transfer monies currently in available free cash and previously found in the operating budget for road maintenance to the road maintenance funds.
ARTICLE 56 – RESCIND PRIOR BORROWING AUTHORIZATIONS
The Town still has borrowing authorization available on several completed projects. This article seeks to close those projects out.
ARTICLE 57 – CREATE CAPITAL STABILIZATION FUND
This vote would formally establish the Capital Stabilization Fund, dedicated to put aside funds to replace/purchase large capital items.
ARTICLE 58 – CAPITAL STABILIZATION FUND TRANSFER
This article will move monies from the old Capital Projects Fund to a new Capital Stabilization Fund.
ARTICLE 59 – SNOW & ICE DEFICIT
This article proposes using $124,800 in free cash to settle the snow & ice deficit from the current fiscal year.
ARTICLE 60 – UPGRADE/REPLACEMENT OF SERVER
This article is proposing to replace the Town’s computer server which experienced some failures this past year. It would use $56,000 in free cash to replace the equipment.
ARTICLE 61 – TIF FOR PUBLICK HOUSE INC.
This article would authorize the Selectmen to offer a Tax Increment Financing Agreement to the Publick House to assist in the construction of a new hotel facility in Town.
ARTICLE 62 – TIF FOR ARLAND TOOL & MFG INC.
This article would authorize the Selectmen to offer a Tax Increment Financing Agreement to Arland Tool & Mfg Inc. to assist in the construction of a new 43,000 sq. ft office building on Charlton Road.
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