At Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting, voters will be asked to consider 52 articles, most of which involve decisions about money and others that involve decisions about bylaws. Any decisions involving Free Cash or Stabilization require a two-thirds vote. All other decisions, unless otherwise specified in the warrant, require a simple majority to pass. Here, at a glance, is what’s in store.
Article 1: Annual Reports
A housekeeping formality at every town meeting, this article asks voters to hear reports from the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and any other boards with prepared reports to present.
Article 2: Amend Protective Bylaw—Drive-Through Facilities
This article, inserted by the Planning Board, asks voters to prohibit the use of drive-throughs except where they are accessory uses at financial institutions or pharmacies. The amendment would also govern the number of drive-throughs an authorized facility could have and places restrictions on their location as well as related signs, speakers, and intercoms. Without this stipulation in the Protective Bylaw, any business that could show that a drive-through was an accessory to its use would be permitted to have one. To pass, this amendment needs a two-thirds vote.
Article 3: Amend Protective Bylaw—Zoning Map Supplement
Also inserted by the Planning Board, this article asks voters to approve the replacement of the current official zoning map with a digitized and colorized version. This amendment also requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
Article 4: Amend Protective Bylaw—Signs
The third article inserted by the Planning Board, this amendment would stipulate the size for offsite signs providing directions to commercial agricultural enterprises in town. A two-thirds vote is required for passage.
Article 5: Closeout of Article
This article, inserted by the Finance Committee, asks voters to approve the closeout of Article 20 from the 2004 Annual Town Meeting, which appropriated funds for the installation of monitoring equipment for the town’s water system. The project was completed at a lower cost than anticipated, making $1,535.60 available, which the Finance Committee proposes be added to the General Fund.
Article 6: Fiscal Year 2009 Certified Free Cash
Also inserted by the Finance Committee, this article asks voters to approve the transfer of the entire Free Cash balance to the General Stabilization Fund. A two-thirds vote is required for passage.
Article 7: Omnibus Budget
Representing the major work of the Finance Committee, selectmen, and town departments this year, this article details proposed spending for the next fiscal year and asks for voter approval on the recommendations. The total proposed budget this year is $19,843,850.
Article 8: Reserve Fund—Fiscal Year 2011
This article asks voters to approve the raising and appropriation, or the transfer from available funds, of $350,000 for the Reserve Fund Account, which is under the control of the Finance Committee, for “unforeseen and extraordinary expenses” during the next fiscal year.
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| It’s baaaaack! Annual Town Meeting is Saturday May 1, at 9 a.m. in the Bromfield gym. (File photo by Lisa Aciukewicz) |
Article 9: Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund
This article would establish a Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund to be used for funds set aside for capital investments. This article was approved by voters at last year’s Annual Town Meeting, but because of a technicality the vote must be retaken. Passage requires a two-thirds vote, and though it passed by easily that much last year, the requirement for the two-thirds vote was not stated before the vote, making it necessary to retake the vote this year.
Article 10: Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund—Initial Funding
As the title implies, this article asks voters to approve initial funding for the account to be established by Article 9, through the transfer of $400,000 from the General Stabilization Fund. Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 11: Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund—Funding Mechanism
This article would put in place a policy for ongoing funding of the new account, whereby money would be moved from Free Cash by a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting, as long as the General Stablization Fund remains above 5 percent of the Omnibus Budget as of the preceding July 1, and as long as there were no “critical, extenuating circumstances” in the current budget cycle that were unforeseen when the budget was voted. Passage of this article requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 12: Harvard Schools—One-Ton Pickup Truck
The Finance Committee recommends passage of this article, which would appropriate $40,000 from the General Stabilization Fund to replace a School Department truck that “is no longer roadworthy and beyond cost-effective repair.” Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 13: Harvard Schools—Mechanical Upgrades
The sum of $95,960 which would be raised and appropriated by this article would fund a project to provide energy-management controls at the Bromfield School, addressing one of several energy-related improvements recommended by a National Grid school building study. Although part of the capital plan, the Finance Committee recommends funding by raise and appropriate, because of the quick payback.
Article 14: Hildreth Elementary School—Retaining Wall and Fence
Recommended by the Finance Committee, this article would allocate $30,000 from the General Stabilization Fund to replace a retaining wall at the elementary school that “is in major disrepair.” Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 15: Department of Public Works—Highway Garage Roof
The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $35,000 from the General Stabilization fund to repair the roof over the office and maintenance bay of the highway garage, replacing it with an insulated rubber roof. This requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 16: Department of Public Works—Heavy Equipment
Inserted by the Capital Committee and supported by the Finance Committee, this article would allow the town to borrow $160,000 for a term of 15 years, to be repaid from the Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund, for the purchase of a new heavy-duty dump truck and related equipment to replace two old trucks that were removed from service in the last two years. Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 17: Department of Public Works—Bare Hill Pond Dam Repairs
Also inserted by the Capital Committee and recommended by the Finance Committee, this article would appropriate from the General Stabilization Fund $37,000 to repair the Bare Hill Pond dam and rehabilitate the embankments and stone wall at the spillway. Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 18: Water Department—Upgrades to the Water System
Proposed by the Capital Committee and supported by the Finance Committee, this article would authorize the appropriation of $30,000 from the General Stabilization Fund for a project of the Department of Public Works and the Water Commission, to transfer about 10 households from the old main trunk line of the water system to a new main trunk line. It requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
Article 19: Water Department—Upgrades to the Water System
Passage of this article, inserted by the Capital Committee and recommended by the Finance Committee, would appropriate from the General Stabilization Fund $70,000 for the continuation of a project to replace the town center 6-inch water main, parts of which are 87 years old. Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 20: Fire Department—Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Air Bottles
The Finance Committee recommends this article, inserted by the Capital Committee, to appropriate $37,700 from the General Stabilization Fund to replace the Fire Department’s inventory of equipment that is reaching the end of its useful life. It requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
Article 21: Fire Department—Refurbish Engine #2
This article, which would appropriate $12,500 from the General Stabilization Fund to refurbish the Fire Department’s 12-year-old engine, is recommended by the Finance Committee and requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
Article 22: Fire Department—Purchase New Fire Truck
Inserted by the Capital Committee and recommended by the Finance Committee, this article would authorize the borrowing of $550,000 for a term of 15 years, to be repaid from the Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund, to replace a 29-year-old hose reel fire truck. Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 23: Municipal Buildings
This article, inserted by the Municipal Buildings Task Force and recommended by the Finance Committee, would appropriate from the General Stabilization Fund $70,000 for a study that would evaluate the general condition of the old library, Town Hall, and Hildreth House, and would develop plans for the reuse and renovation of these buildings. It requires a two-thirds vote to pass.
Article 24: Funding of Borrowing Cost
This article, inserted by the Capital Committee and recommended by the Finance Committee, would authorize the appropriation of $32,050 from the General Stabilization Fund to pay for the borrowing cost associated with the purchases in Articles 16 and 22 upfront, saving interest charges on this amount over the 15-year term of the loan. Passage requires a two-thirds vote.
Article 25: Contract—Police Wages
Inserted by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Finance Committee, this article would authorize the appropriation of $1,600 to be added to line 17 of the Omnibus Budget, in order to ratify the contract with the Police Union.
Article 26: Contract—Dispatcher Wages
Also inserted by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Finance Committee, this article would add $2,578 to line 19 of the Omnibus Budget, in order to ratify the contract with the Dispatchers Union.
Article 27: Contract—Public Works Employees Wages
This article, inserted by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Finance Committee, would add $11,850 to line 31 of the Omnibus Budget, in order to ratify the contract with the Public Works Department Employees Union.
Article 28: Town Building Lighting Upgrades
Inserted by selectmen on behalf of the Energy Advisory Committee, this article authorizes the town to raise and appropriate $6,753 for lighting upgrades in several town buildings. This represents 30 percent of the total cost, with the balance paid by National Grid.
Article 29: Resolution to Proactively Pursue Commercial Development in Harvard’s Commercial District
Inserted by the Economic Development Analysis Team (EDAT), this article, if passed, would direct selectmen to appoint an Economic Development Committee to create and maintain a development plan for the Commercial District. This committee would be charged with defining, planning, and coordinating town-approved infrastructure improvement projects for the Commercial District and would act as the town’s liaison with commercial landowners and developers. It would also advise the Board of Selectmen on policies for attracting and retaining businesses in the district. In addition, the article would direct selectmen to pursue the designation of Harvard as part of an Economic Target Area, enabling it to participate in the state’s Economic Development Incentive Program.
Article 30: Override—Bromfield School User Fees
Inserted by the School Committee on behalf of the Bromfield School Council, this article would be the first step in authorizing a Proposition 2½ override of $107,000 to supplement athletic user fees at the Bromfield School. The override proposal also requires a vote at town election. The Finance Committee takes no position on this article, stating that it should be up to the taxpayers whether to supplement the costs of the fees.
Article 31: Community Preservation Committee Report
This article asks voters if they will hear the report of the CPC on the proposed fiscal 2011 Community Preservation budget and take any related votes as necessary.
Article 32: Restoration of Town Hall
Inserted by the Board of Selectmen and CPC, this article asks voters to transfer $66,788 from Community Preservation Fund Historic Reserves as well as $33,212 from fiscal 2011 Community Preservation revenues to fund a $100,000 project to restore the exterior of Town Hall.
Article 33: Harvard Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund
This article, inserted by the Harvard Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and the CPC, asks for approval from voters to transfer $75,000 to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Funds would come from the Community Preservation Fund Budgeted Reserves ($27,411), the Community Preservation Fund Housing Reserve ($18,529) and the fiscal 2011 Community Preservation revenues ($29,030).
Article 34: Conservation Fund
Inserted by the Conservation Commission and CPC, this article asks for voter approval to place $75,000 in the Conservation Fund, and stipulates that any properties purchased with the funds would require a permanent deed restriction ensuring that the use is restricted to the original intent. Funds would come from the Community Preservation Fund Budgeted Reserves ($45,000) and from the fiscal 2011 Community Preservation revenues ($30,000).
Article 35: Community Preservation Committee—Administrative Expenses
This article seeks voter approval to transfer $2,000 to the CPC from fiscal 2011 Community Preservation revenues for administrative expenses, including dues and legal fees.
Article 36: Preservation of Historic Town Documents
This article would authorize the town clerk to expend up to $33,000 for the restoration and preservation of historic town documents. Funds would come from the fiscal 2011 Community Preservation revenues.
Article 37: Preservation of Historic Documents
This article would provide $7,000 to Fruitlands Museum from fiscal 2011 Community Preservation revenues for the purpose of restoring and preserving historic documents, with the provision that they be made available annually for display and public viewing in one of Harvard’s public buildings (such as the library).
Article 38: Preservation of Shaker Grave Markers
Inserted by the CPC and the Historical Commission, this article seeks $5,655 in funding for the Historical Commission to develop a request for proposal to restore the grave markers at the Shaker Cemetery.
Article 39: Release and Modify Restriction to Property at 105 Stow Road
This article asks voters to authorize the Board of Selectmen to modify and possibly eliminate restrictions on the property at 105 Stow Road, known as Great Elms, to allow it to continue operating as affordable housing and to facilitate the acquisition of funding to support rehabilitation of the buildings on the property.
Article 40: General Bylaws—Chapter 110: Vehicles, Unregistered or Junked
Inserted by the Board of Selectmen, this article would amend Chapter 110 of the town bylaws to allow the chief of police to pursue legal action to remove vehicles identified as unregistered or junked, at the owner’s expense, if, after receiving notification about being in violation, an owner takes no action.
Article 41: Amend General Bylaws—Stretch Energy Code
Inserted by the Energy Advisory Committee, this article asks voters to have the town adopt energy-efficient building codes that go beyond those specified in the International Energy Conservation Code that will be adopted by the state of Massachusetts as of July 1.
Article 42: Regional Household Hazardous Waste
The Finance Committee recommends this article, inserted by the Board of Selectmen and the DPW superintendent, to raise and appropriate $4,271 to contribute to the establishment of a regional hazardous waste management facility in Devens. This sum would be combined with $8,000 in the Omnibus Budget to help pay for the creation and ongoing operations of this facility. At present, the town pays about $8,000 every other year for hazardous waste collection every 18 months. With the creation of this facility, Harvard’s annual cost for hazardous waste disposal at the facility would be $2,400 per year, and the facility would be available one Saturday per month for hazardous waste disposal.
Article 43: Agricultural Advisory Commission—Budget
The Finance Committee recommends that $2,000 be raised and appropriated for the use of the Agricultural Advisory Commission.
Article 44: Easement for Affordable Senior Apartments on Ayer Road
The Conservation Commission inserted this article, which asks voters to authorize the commission to grant a nitrogen-loading easement on town land, an easement that would allow a senior housing project on Ayer Road to move forward. At present, estimates of nitrogen loading from the project’s wastewater exceed the limits set by the Department of Environmental Protection. This easement would allow the adjacent Ayer Road Meadow conservation land to act as “credit land” for nitrogen loading.
Article 45: Local Option Meals Tax
Inserted by selectmen and recommended by the Finance Committee, this article would allow the town to expand its tax base by instituting a meals tax at local eating establishments.
Article 46: Accept MGL Chapter 40, Section 22F
The Finance Committee recommends this article, inserted by selectmen, which would provide the town with flexibility in changing fee structures related to licenses, permits, or services.
Article 47: Town Clerk—Change Sunset for Ballot Box Replacement
This article asks voters to extend the deadline and related funds for the replacement of the town’s ballot box, from June 30, 2010, to June 30, 2012.
Article 48: Revolving Fund—Council on Aging
This article asks voters to reauthorize a revolving account to fund the activities of the Council on Aging, with amounts not to exceed $30,000 in fiscal 2011.
Article 49: Revolving Fund—Fourth of July
Voters are also asked to reauthorize this revolving account to fund activities of the Fourth of July Committee, with expenditures not exceeding $25,000 in fiscal 2011.
Article 50: Revolving Fund—Ambulance
This article asks voters to approve the establishment of a revolving account to fund the activities of the Harvard Ambulance Service, with expenditures not to exceed $85,000 in fiscal 2011.
Article 51: Acceptance of Gifts of Property—Conservation Land
This article will ask voters to accept gifts of land previously accepted by the Conservation Commission and approved by the Board of Selectmen.
Article 52: Acceptance of Highway Funds
Inserted by the Board of Selectmen, this article asks voters to accept state funds to be used for reconstruction and improvement of public ways.