Town Meeting 2024 Articles Status Updates

The following list represents the current status of articles passed at the Annual Town Meeting on May 6-7, 2024.

Last modified: May 20, 2024

Special Town Meeting

ArticleIssueStatus
1Payment of Prior Year ExpendituresInvoices will be made as approved by Town Meeting prior to July 1st.
2Fire Station Planning Closeout $56,147.33 from free cash to close-out prior to June 30th.

Annual Town Meeting

ArticleIssueStatus

1

Accept Reports in Annual Town Report

No further action required.

2

Hear/Accept Reports of Committees and 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

Will be compensated in accordance with this article beginning on July 1st.

6

Set Pay for Elected Official – Town Clerk

Will be compensated in accordance with this article beginning on July 1st.

7

Appropriate Funds – Community Preservation Revenues

CPC revenues will be appropriated effective July 1st.

8

General Fund Base Operating Budget

The General Fund Base Operating Budget is effective as of July 1st.

9

General Fund Override Operating Budget 

While approved by Annual Town Meeting voters, the corresponding ballot measure failed. Therefore Article 9 is voided.

10

Transfer Meals Tax to OPEB Trust Fund  for Fiscal Year 2025 

The first $450,000 received from the meals tax, July 1st, will go towards the operating budget. Every dollar after will go to the OPEB Trust Fund.

11

Water Enterprise Budget

Due to the override failing at the ballot, the $5,424,022 budget will be effective on July 1st.

12

Appropriate Funds – Police Cruisers ($190,000 Debt)

One cruiser is anticipated to be received this summer; the second cruiser is anticipated to be received Fall 2024.

13

Appropriate Funds – Police Portable & Cruiser Radios ($140,000 Debt) 

An order will be placed after July 1st. Anticipated lag time of 6 months or more.

14

Appropriate Funds – Replace 4x4 Pickup ($75,000 Retained Earnings) 

Anticipated in late fall of 2024.

15

Appropriate Funds – Water Service Van ($60,000 Retained Earnings) 

Anticipated in late fall of 2024.

16

Increase Income-Based Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Exemption 

Increased exceptions for seniors will be effective on July 1st.

17

Special Education Reserve Fund Transfer ($750,000 Free Cash) 

Due to the override failing at the ballot, $750,000 from certified free cash will be transferred to the Special Education Reserve Fund on July 1st.

18

Appropriate Funds – Fuel Canopy Improvements ($30,000 Bond Premium Receipts Reserved) 

Will start work with contractors in summer of 2024, completion anticipated in winter of 2024.

19

Appropriate Funds – Large Area Mower ($100,000 Debt) 

Currently demoing units, anticipating order in summer of 2024.

20

Appropriate Funds – Wood Chipper Replacement ($90,000 Debt) 

Have received a quote, pacing an order in summer of 2024 and anticipated arrival in winter of 2024.

21

Appropriate Funds – 72” Mower Replacement ($20,000  Bond Premium Receipts Reserved) 

Will purchase in the summer, anticipated for winter of 2024.

22

Appropriate Funds – Transfer Station Scale Replace ($185,000 Debt) 

Preparing specifications, anticipated bid in fall of 2024, and expected construction in spring of 2025. 

23

Amend General Bylaws –  Addition of Eligibility of Elected Town Officers Bylaw 

The Town Clerk is in the process of preparing the submission of bylaws to the Attorney General.

24

Accept Chapter 90 Road Grant Monies

The funds will be accepted as they come in or before July 1st.

25

Street Acceptance – Laurel Lane 

Laurel Lane and accompanying infrastructure will be town-owned, effective July 1st.

26

PEG Access & Cable Related Fund 

Budget will be effective as of July 1st.

27

Set Limits On Revolving Funds 

Limits will take effect on July 1st.

28

Appropriate Funds – Funding for Town Costs Required to Run Winterfest and Hanover Day ($50,000 Free Cash) 

Funds will be available on July 1st.

29

Appropriate Funds – Basketball Court Renovations ($100,000 Free Cash) 

Due to the override failing at the ballot, no funding has been appropriated for this project.

30

Amend General Bylaws 6-10 Animal Control Bylaws 

The Town Clerk is in the process of preparing the submission of bylaws to the Attorney General.

31

Amend Zoning Bylaws - Insert New Section 6.18.0 – Route 3 Corridor Sign Overlay District  

Town Meeting referred this proposal back to the Planning Board. The Planning Board is anticipating discussions this summer.

32

Amend General Bylaws  Section 6.9 Sign Bylaw,  Section 2. Authority and Interpretation 

Town Meeting referred this proposal back to the Planning Board and Select Board. The Planning Board and Select Board are anticipating discussions this summer.

33

Appropriate Funds – King Street/ Circuit Street Waterline ($2,000,000 Debt) 

Designs are underway, anticipated bid in summer of 2024 and construction in fall of 2024. 

34

Appropriate Funds – PFAS Upgrades ($1,750,000 Debt) 

Currently working with contractor to determine best practices for moving forward. 

35Appropriate Funds – Stetson House - Cobbler’s Shop

CPC funds will be available on July 1st.

36Appropriate Funds – Digital Collections Preservation 

CPC funds will be available on July 1st.

37Appropriate Funds – Rail Trail – Ellis Connection

CPC funds will be available on July 1st.

38Appropriate Funds – Stetson House Interior Redesign 

CPC funds will be available on July 1st.

39Appropriate Funds – Affordable Housing Trust $164,542 will be transferred to the Affordable Housing Trust on July 1st.
40Addition of New Dog License Fees 

New fees will be effective as of January 1, 2025

41Amend Zoning Bylaws – Insert New Section 6.17.0 – Multi-Family Overlay District  

Referred back to the Planning Board for further study. Anticipated Special Town Meeting in Fall 2024.

42Amend Zoning Bylaws – Section 10.00 Purpose and Applicability  

Referred back to the Planning Board for further study. Anticipated Special Town Meeting in Fall 2024.

43Amend Zoning Bylaws Accessory Dwelling Unit

The Town Clerk is in the process of preparing the submission of bylaws to the Attorney General.

44Appropriate Funds – Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus ($20,000 Bond Premium Receipts Reserved) 

Application has been submitted for a federal grant, anticipating a decision by July or August of 2024. If successful, will submit to match local fund.

45Appropriate Funds – Ambulance ($475,000 Debt)

Have begun working with vendor, finalizing design and specifications.