Town Meeting 2020 Articles Status Updates
The following list represents the current status of articles passed at the Annual Town Meeting on June 29, 2020.
Last modified: Completed
Special Town Meeting
| Article | Issue | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Payment of Prior Year Expenditures | The outstanding bill was paid with the approved appropriation. |
| 2 | Unused Water Main Appropriation Returned to Water Retained Earnings | Transfer complete. |
| 3 | Rescind Completed Water Projects | Transfer complete. |
| 4 | Rescind Completed Projects Borrowing Authorizations | No further action required. |
| 5 | Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Reconciliation | Transfer complete. |
| 6 | Transfer of Surplus Bond Proceeds | Transfer complete. |
| 7 | Federal Reimbursement for Foster Care Transportation | Article was affirmed following a vote from the Board of Selectmen and School Committee. |
| 8 | Waive Dog License Late Fees | No further action required. |
| 9 | Appropriate Funds – Large Format Scanner | No further action required. |
| 10 | Appropriate Funds - ViewPermit | No further action required. |
Annual Town Meeting
| Article | Issue | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accept Reports in Annual Town Report | No further action required. |
| 2 | Hear/Accept Reports of Committees & State Officials | No further action required. |
| 3 | Authorize Treasurer to Accept Trust Funds | No further action required. |
| 4 | Assume Liability to Allow State DEP Work | No further action required. |
| 5 | Set Pay for Elected Official – Town Moderator | Moderator was compensated according to this article. |
| 6 | Set Pay for Elected Official - Town Clerk | Town Clerk was compensated in FY2021 according to this article. |
| 7 | CPA Home Rule Act | Article not accepted by Town Meeting. |
| 8 | General Fund Operating Budget | FY2021 budget has been implemented in the town's accounting system. Finance director has made quarterly budget updates available. |
| 9 | Water Enterprise Budget | FY2021 budget has been implemented in the town’s accounting system. |
| 10 | Rescind Completed Capital Projects | These capital accounts have been closed and the remaining balance has been returned to the un-designated funds balance. |
| 11 | Additional Reserve Fund Appropriation | Additional FY2021 reserve fund appropriation has been implemented in the town’s accounting system. |
| 12 | PEG Access & Cable Related Fund | FY2021 PEG budget has been implemented in the town's accounting system. |
| 13 | Accept Chapter 90 Road Grant Monies | All work completed. |
| 14 | Set Limits On Revolving Funds | The Town Meeting-approved spending limits have been instituted in the Town’s accounting system. |
| 15 | Amend General By-Laws – Create Council On Aging Departmental Revolving Fund and Amend Flu Clinic Departmental Revolving Fund | The Council on Aging Departmental Revolving Fund has been created. The Flu Clinic Departmental Revolving Fund has been amended. |
| 16 | Modify Transfer Station Fee Schedule | New fee schedule has been implemented. |
| 17 | Modify Water Fee Schedule | The fee schedule adopted by the Town Manager in December (2019) was affirmed by Town Meeting. |
| 18 | Amend Zoning Bylaw 6.7.10 | Article not accepted at Town Meeting. |
| 19 | Amend Zoning Bylaw 6.11.00 – Moratorium | The article was approved at Town Meeting. Town Meeting of 2022 voted to Amend/Eliminate Zoning Bylaw 6.11.00 VPUD. The Amended Bylaw, which eliminated VPUD, is now in effect after receiving the Attorney General's Approval on August 29, 2022. |
| 20 | Amend General Bylaw 4-10 – Council On Aging | The Article was passed at the Town Meeting. |
| 21 | Appropriate Funds – Water Main Repair | Project completed. |
| 22 | Appropriate Funds – Pond Street #1 Well | PFAS mitigation measures appear to be working therefore we have re-scoped proposed engineering services and are currently soliciting proposals. In the summer of 2021 we found that the water from our Pond Street Treatment Plant was in excess of this new drinking water regulation. A pilot study was initiated in the fall of 2021 to evaluate the effectiveness of granular activated carbon (GAC) in reducing PFAS levels. One of the three Pond Street WTP filters was upgraded. The results of the program were promising and in the spring of 2022 the Town petitioned Mass DEP to allow for further renovations of the remaining filters. A second filter was modified in the spring of 2022 and is undergoing tests. The media for the third filter has been purchased and installed. |
| 23 | Appropriate Funds – Special Education Reserve Fund | Transfer completed. |
| 24 | Amend Language for Multi-Use Recreational Facility | The Build the Boards project is complete and named “Sergeant Michael C. Chesna Memorial Rink”. |
| 25 | Petition General Court - All Alcohol Beverage Licenses For Demoulas Market Basket | Article not accepted by Town Meeting. |
| 26 | Amend Zoning Bylaw Section 6.23.0 | Bylaw approved by the State. Amended Bylaw now implemented. |
| 27 | Increase Income-Based Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Exemption | Increased real estate tax exemption offered to seniors in FY2021. |
| 28 | Property Tax Exemption For Gold Star Parents | Gold Star parent's real estate tax exemption offered in FY2021. |
| 29 | Eliminate Local Educational Fund | FY2021 quarter 3 and 4 tax bills updated to reflect this fund's elimination. |
| 30 | Establish Municipal Veterans Assistance Fund Through Voluntary Donation On Property And Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Bills | FY2021 3rd and 4th quarter real estate tax bills updated to reflect the establishment of this fund. |