I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I type notes. I’m sure that, at times, I mishear or misunderstand the speaker, but my notes represent what I hear at the time. I try to publish the notes every night after the meeting, as time allows. I do go back and make a few edits as errors are pointed out to me.  I do not try to reproduce my entire notes for this online version. Sometimes I relay a quote from a specific speaker. Most of the time I only summarize the discussion. At points I give a purely personal opinion; those are clearly labeled like this: Personal note.

Jane Howard led the meeting in the national anthem.

Moderator John Leone made two announcements. Precincts 8-14 need to organize tonight. Boy’s lacrosse is having a bake sale outside.

Announcements

• I introduced the visitors from our sister city Nagaokakyo. The Cherry Blossom festival is Friday at at Ottoson School. The leader of the delegation extended his thanks to Arlington.
• I announced that the Attorney General had already approved the vote of the Special Town Meeting in regard to leaf blowers, and will become effective after the change is advertised on May 9. This is record time for such an approval!
• Gordon Jamieson asked how to inquire about legal questions. The moderator replied that a legal question about a vote is a legitimate point of information.
• Clarissa Rowe reported on progress for the Books for Bill program and invited members to talk to her during the break.
• Roland Chaput announced a cleanup of Robbins Park 9-1 on Saturday.
• Diane Mahon announced a Saturday cleanup of Hill’s Hill by the Summer Street Association at 9AM.
• Diane Mahon reported on the AHS basketball and cheerleaders banquet.
• Sean Harrington announced for Thursday at the Senior center.

Article 3 – Reports

• Stephen Gilligan gave the report of the treasurer.
• Gordon Jamieson asked for the dissolution of the bus shelter and liberty ride committees. It was granted.
• Diane Mahon asked for the dissolution of the leaf blower committee. It was granted.

Al Tosti moved to table Article 3.

Article 13 – New Animal Laws

Juliana Rice explained that the state has passed a new set of laws. This proposal updates our bylaw to fit the new state law and incorporates some other items that are already in practice. Zarina Memon asked several questions. She is opposed to the change. There were discussions of some of the detailed language and several corrections of typos. Mark McCabe moves to terminate debate. Debate was terminated. The new bylaw was passed.

Article 14 – Self-serve gasoline

I spoke, and said that this article was brought forward by 10 voters. Selectmen discussed the safety issues, ADA, and other considerations. Carl Wagner spoke. He had proposed this change, but is no longer in favor. The Master Plan (and others) should look at it. He urged the town meeting to vote it down quickly and move on. Mr. Worden proposed an amendment: permit self-serve, but require full-service. Paul Schlichtman terminate. Worden’s amendment went down. The main motion went down.

Article 15 – Utility Poles

John Leonard proposed a resolution that the selectmen ensure that all double poles and other utility pole issues be resolved in 90 days. I was opposed to the resolution. I complete agree that the poles are a problem and the town should work on it. We have adopted a new policy and put in some levers to get change in the future.  But a resolution that demands the problem be fixed in 90 days just isn’t a reasonable resolution.  I would have preferred a more realistic resolution.  A speaker was in favor, and one against.  A speaker wants us to bury the lines.   Swilling moves to terminate. debate is terminated.  Leonard’s motion was substituted and approved.

Article 16 – Safe Streets

No action

Article 17 – Overnight Parking Fees

Jim Ballin proposed a  resolution asking the selectmen to lower the parking fees. I noted that the issue will be on the agenda this summer and that we value the opinions of town meeting members.  Several speakers were in favor.

We took a 10-minute break.

Mark McCabe moved to terminate debate. The resolution was substituted and passed.

Articles 18, 19, and 20

All voted no action

Article 21 – Evens Maurice

Bill Hayner said we should take a look at the rules more carefully. Carl Wagner said we should use existing rules, and we shouldn’t allow this to happen. In a more perfect world, I’d agree with Mr. Hayner and Mr. Wagner.  In this case, we are stuck between two terrible options by state law.  The exception granting process is a way to mitigate the bad options.  The real solution here is a change to civil service law by the state. Moore moved to terminate the debate. The motion was approved.

Article 22

Voted no action.

Article 23 – Public Art Fund

I noted that this article has no appropriation and no appropriation is contemplated at this time.  Stephen Harrington was opposed because he thinks it will be an appropriation. Several speakers were in favor. A vote to terminate debate failed.  Several more speakers were in favor.  Debate was terminated and the fund was approved.

Article 24 – Retirement Board Compensation

I noted it doesn’t affect retirement or health insurance benefits. John Bilafer spoke for several minutes about what the board does. Chris Loreti was opposed.  In Loreti’s speech, he referred to the board’s meeting minutes, and how the minutes talked about sending a member to a conference in Hawaii.  It was an attempt to paint the board as a cushy, perk-filled job where the members vote each other favors.  What Mr. Loreti didn’t say is that no one actually went on the trip.  A juicy sound bite, but lacking in substance when you find the real story. Other speakers were in favor. Mark McCabe terminated debate.  Passed 88-81.

Article 25 – Personal Property Exemption

Postponed to Wednesday because Assessors are out tonight.

Article 26 – Local Option Taxes

No action.

Article 27 – CDBG

I talked about the declining funding for CDBG.  We are trying to move programs to private charities where we can.  We are trying to prioritize and support health programs first.  There were several questions.  The motion was approved.

Article 28 – Revolving Funds

There were several questions and demands for more reports on spending.  The article was approved.

Article 29 – Collective Bargaining

One union still is not under contract.  This reserves money for future appropriation. Approved.

Article 30 – Positions Reclassification

No discussion.  Approved.

Article 31 – Budgets

With 9 minutes to go before 11, we adjourned early rather than take up the budgets.

At this pace, we are in a good position to have two nights left.  We can do most of the budgets on Wednesday, finish up any budgets and spending articles the following Monday.  Let’s hope we keep the pace up!

I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I type notes. I’m sure that, at times, I mishear or misunderstand the speaker, but my notes represent what I hear at the time. I try to publish the notes every night after the meeting, as time allows. I do go back and make a few edits as errors are pointed out to me.  I do not try to reproduce my entire notes for this online version. Sometimes I relay a quote from a specific speaker. Most of the time I only summarize the discussion. At points I give a purely personal opinion; those are clearly labeled like this: Personal note.

Arlington Town Meeting of 2013 was called to order by Moderator John Leone.

The meeting sang the National Anthem led by Town Meeting Member Jane Howard on the piano.

Father John J. Graham from St. Agnes gave the invocation.

Moderator Leone gave his remarks.  He talked about the history of Arlington’s town meeting.  He reminded members that any substitute motion or amendment needs to be provided at least 48 hours before the article is discussed.  He invited members to join the town meeting member email list.  He talked about the improved civility last year and and asked for it to further improve.  He remarked on some of the terrible events of this year, and we had a moment of silence.

Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine talked about the condolence books in the front entry way for town residents to sign.  He reported on how the Arlington police department was involved in the week’s activities.  The department was given a standing ovation.

New members to town meeting were sworn in.  They were welcomed with applause. Returning members were sworn in.

I made the motion for the annual vote about seating rules.  The only people allowed “on the floor” are Town Meeting Members and various officials; guests and observers should watch from the balcony.

We voted to reconvene on Wednesday.

Article 2 – State of the Town

I gave the state of the town.

Announcements and Resolutions

• Jim O’Conor talked about joining town meeting member email list.
• Selectman Kevin Greeley announced the upcoming 100th anniversery of Town Hall.  Tickets can be bought at Leader Bank or the Selectment’s office.

Article 3 – Reports of Committees

Many of these reports can be found on the town website.

• I gave the report of the Board of Selectmen, and introduced the board and department heads. I hadn’t remembered the introduction part – that was last minute, and I forgot three people.

• Al Tosti gave the FinComm report and introduced members of the committee.

• Bruce Fitzimmons gave the ARB report and introduced the committee.

• The electronic voting study report was given by Eric Helmuth.  He gave a 10-minute presentation about electronic voting, and showed a video from votevideos.wordpress.com.

• William Logan asked that the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee be dissolved, and it was.

The moderator said that several committees were ripe for dissolution, and that at the end of town meeting he was inclined to ask for several of them to be ended.

Al Tosti moved that all motions within the reports be incorporated as the main motions for the relevant articles.

Article 3 was tabled.

Article 4 – Measurer of Wood and Bark

I moved that Elsie Fiore be appointed, and she was.

Article 5 – Election of Assistant Town Moderator

Michelle Durocher nominated Jim O’Conor.  No other nominations.  He was elected.

Article 6 – Accessory Apartments

Voted no action.

Articles 7 and 8 – Medical Marijuana Zoning and 1-year Building Moratorium

ARB chair Bruce Fitzsimmons introduce the articles as a collaboration with department heads and the town manager. He noted that if both articles fail, dispensaries can open in the near future as a regular retail use. He said they are not trying to say no to these stores, they are trying to say not yet. A couple speakers spoke against 7 because of children and neighbors, but yes on 8.  They didn’t think that Arlington Center was a good location, but what those speakers didn’t suggest was where they thought it should be permitted.  Stephen Harrington moved to table article 7 so that the moratorium can be considered first.The motion to table failed on a standing vote.  Harry McCabe tried to postpone instead, and that failed on voice vote. Two speakers were in favor.  Molly Flueckige explained how the Massachusetts law is much more strict than previous states.  She is concerned that B5 is too small.

We had a break for 10 minutes.

Stuart Clienman said he is voting against both because it’s a medicine we shouldn’t delay. A vote to terminate debate failed. Other speakers were in favor of both, some in favor of only the moratorium.  Town Counsel Juliana Rice explained that both articles are being considered  because when warrant was opened, the legal situation wasn’t clear. It is more clear now that a moratorium is legal.  Nathan Swilling move terminate debate, which carried.  Article 7 failed by a vote of 114-72 (it required 2/3).  Article 8, the moratorium, was approved.  Lyman Judd gave notice of reconsideration.

Article 9 – Easements Thompson School

This is for 3 poles that are already in place.  There were a couple questions about poles and burying power lines that weren’t related to this specific article.  (It was noted that burying power lines would be expensive, and the cost passed on to the rate payer).  I was asked why I was opposed to this article.  I opposed it because an easement is a more permanent solution, and there are less permanent rights that we could grant instead.  Verizon had demanded the permanent.  I’m not too worried about this, though, because in the big picture we can just take it back by eminent domain if we really need to.   The easement was granted.

Article 10 – Junk Dealers

I explained that this doesn’t change any of the rules.  We’re making the change because sellers of used goods don’t like being told they are selling junk.  The change was approved.

Article 11 – Use of Public Property

No action.

Article 12 – Electronic Voting

Eric Helmuth gave a presentation and talked about how this will increase accountability.  Chris Loreti offered two amendments that would have reduced the number of electronic votes.  He said that “roll call shouldn’t happen by default.”   There were questions about how devices would work and how they might fail.  Pete Howard opposed the plan because of the cost.  Bill Hayner spoke in favor of accountability.  I spoke, not as a member of the board, but on my own behalf, against the amendments.  I think that roll call should be the default – we should be proud of our work.  Our votes over a three year term are our body of work that we should be judged by.  Hugh McCrory proposed an amendment to permit town meeting to override the moderator’s choice on whether or not to use electronic voting.  All three amendments went down by voice vote.  The main motion was approved.

Al Tosti moved to table articles 13-41, and it was approved.

Article 42 – Appropriation for Electronic Voting

Al Tosti explained this is a lease so we can evaluate for a year if we like it or not.  Lyman Judd was opposed and called it a parliamentary maneuver, and got in a shouting match with the moderator.  The motion was approved.

Articles 13-41 were taken from the table.

The meeting adjourned for the night.

I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I type notes. I’m sure that, at times, I mishear or misunderstand the speaker, but my notes represent what I hear at the time. I then publish the notes every night after the meeting. I do go back and make a few edits as errors are pointed out to me.

I do not try to reproduce my entire notes for this online version. Sometimes I relay a quote from a specific speaker. Most of the time I only summarize the discussion. At points I give a purely personal opinion; those are clearly labeled like this: Personal note.

The meeting opened with the Selectones singing God Bless America and the Star-Spangled Banner. Patsy Kraemer and Charlie Gallagher played the piano.

Town Moderator John Leone noted that we might finish tonight if things move speedily. He also gave another reminder on civility.

Announcements

• Harry McCabe missed a meeting and thanked everyone for the well-wishes.
• Gary Hororwitz proposed a resolution in support of the Human Rights Commissions and its mission. John Leone ruled it out of order; he said that it was potentially controversial, and should be a warrant article. This sounds like an unfortunate misunderstanding between Mr. Horowitz and Mr. Leone.
• Leslie Mayer Chairman of Parks and Recreation announced that the off-leash dog park at Thorndike will open on Monday May 21st at 6AM.

Article 3 taken from the table

•  Gary Horowitz delivered the report of the Human Rights Commission.
• Angela Olszewski gave the report of the Arlington Committee of Tourism and Economic Development.

Article 3 was tabled.

Article 27 - Transfer Of Real Property/Gibbs Junior High School - back from the table

Selectmen Kevin Greeley and Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine explained that this is extending the lease with the current residents. Chris Loreti had several questions. School Superintendent Kathy Bodie explained that we might need it for swing space for Ottoson, and thus limited the extension to 3 years. He asked how long will the leases be? 3 years says Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine. Loreti wanted to know how early of notice of non-renewal the current occupants will get.

Article 14 – Liens-School Fees taken from the table

School committee, Selectmen, and FinComm all changed their vote to no action.  No action approved.

Article 47 – Special Education Reserve Account off the table

Al Tosti moved $500,000 from FY12 be moved to the special ed reserve account. Stephen Harrington spoke in favor. Moved unanimously.

Article 52 - Signage For Historic Sites was taken from the table.

Angela Olszewski talked about the purpose of the signage, the existing signage, and what ideas they have in mind. “Come for culture. Stay for Dinner.” She had a small amendment to include consultation with other historical groups. Clarissa Rowe talked about the signage and the price tag. Lawrence McKinney made a substitute motion that is very similar. He complained about lack of coordination between Tourism committee and Uncle Sam committee. His motion was ruled out of order because it was flawed. Bill Berkowitz moved an amendment to the vote that would increase the scope of the vote and increase the amount of money spent. Al Tosti supported Angela’s language change, but opposed to the monetary increase from Mr. Berkowitz. Mr. Tosti noted that tourism committee is well organized, and the money was not requested by them. Chris Loreti asked for whether or not Berkowitz’s amendment was in scope, and the moderator ruled Berkowitz’s motion to be out of scope of the warrant article.  The moderator gave a good explanation on why it was out-of-scope.  Warrant articles set the outer limits of what you can talk about.  This warrant article was written very narrowly (about signs) and included an amount of money ($20,000).  Berkowitz wanted more than signs, and more than $20,000, and that exceeded the warrant article.  It was asked where the signs would be. Loreti was opposed to spending money to support non-profit organizations. Hugh McCrory complained that ATED meetings don’t have punctual minutes. Debate is terminated by Gordon Jamieson. Angela’s amendment passed, and main motion passed.

Article 55 - Harry Barber Community Service Program

Ann Fitzgerald said this would reinstate the program. Voted unanimously.

Article 56 –  Appropriation/Uncle Sam Committee 2012

Elsie Fiorie spoke in support of the funding. Lawrence McKinney spoke in favor. McCrory terminated debate. Approved unanimously.

Article 57 – Arlington Senior Center

No action unanimously

Article 58 - Appropriation/Arlington High School Concussion Reduction Program

Stephen Harrington moved a substitute motion to appropriate $25,000 for helmets, pads, and collecting data on concussions. He gave a presentation on the rate of concussions in student athletes. He talked about older helmets in use in the town. He wants to replace more helmets, and to put in pads to make players less likely to use their helmets. He introduced Mr. Patterson of Arlington who has a company building a system to collect data on concussions.

We had a 10-minute break.

Al Tosti described the funding process of this – there were several hearings, the schools agreed to spend the money, and he didn’t understand why there was a motion to spend more.  He was opposed. Nathan Swilling moved to terminate debate; it received 107-58 in favor, but not 2/3, and terminate debate failed. Gordon Jamieson had questions about the legality of the vote. He was opposed to the spending. Edward Harris  talked about the inherent dangerousness of football, and was opposed to the spending. Joe Curren supports the spending – he wants to see what happens to kids in the field. He called the decision a “no brainer” – I saw more than one grin in the meeting. Diane Mahon moved to terminate the vote. Harrington’s motion went down 53-121.

Article 59 Pension Adjustment

Approved.

Article 60 – Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund

Approved.

Article 61 – Appropriation/Overlay Reserve

Approved.

Article 62 Appropriation/Stabilization Fund

Approved.

Article 63 Appropriation/Override Stabilization Fund

Approved.

Article 64 Appropriation/Tip Fee Stabilization

Approved. Some of these votes in this string required 2/3, and some didn’t, but I didn’t capture which ones.  None of these votes were unanimous.  If I heard the “no’s” correctly, certain people were unhappy with losing earlier votes in the night, and were simply voting no on everything.

Article 65 – Transfer Of Funds/Cemetery

Approved

Article 66 – Use Of Free Cash

Approved

Article 67 – Vote/Flood Study Interlaken Neighborhood

Approved

Article 68- Vote/Geographic Information System (GIS)

John Belskis tried to make a motion, but it wasn’t in the proper form, and was ruled out of order.  Voted no action.  John is very persistent on this issue.  He doesn’t like the answer that he’s been given, and he keeps asking the question.  Someday he may even get the answer he’s looking for, but not until the town has more affordable housing than it does today.

Article 69 Vote/Rescind Eminent Domain Authoritymassachusetts Avenue Sidewalks

Mark Kapplein moved to table Article 69 so he could discuss Article 70 first, and the motion failed. Kapplein then moved a substitute motion that would reverse the vote of eminent domain. He said that the only way for the town meeting to stop the Mass Ave corridor project is to stop the eminent domain. He said the town was against the project. He said the project proponents had no data at all.  He wants to put the project on hold. Eric Berger spoke in support of the substitute motion. He thinks it will be bad for the town. He cited 94% opposition to the plan.  He raised a number of issues. Paul Schlictman is opposed to the substitute. Scott Smith explored the possible effects of delay. He went into details of the public process on the Mass Ave progress. Ed Trembley spoke against the Mass Ave project. Brian Rehrig terminated debate.  The substitute failed 40-132. No action was voted.

Article 70 Vote/Add Ballot Question On Mass. Ave.  Travel Lane Count

Mark Kapplein moved a substitute motion. He suggested that meetings on the issue were held in stealth. He said that there are hidden goals driving this plan. Kevin Greeley recommended no action and talked about the process of the project.  Mr. Greeley did get one thing wrong – the Selectmen could have put this on the ballot, but we voted not to. Charlie Foskett moved to terminate debate. Kapplein’s motion failed.  Voted no action.  The debates on 69 and 70 were both tedious – lots of long-winded speakers, lots of strawmen arguments, and a fair number of easily debunked claims were made.  And, in the end, the result is the same – most of the town thinks the project should go forward, and a vocal minority is opposed to it.  The good news is that next year, the speakers will be restricted to 7 minutes.

There was a motion to adjourn, and it failed.  We were on the home stretch, and people wanted to finish.

Article 71 Home Rule Legislation/Timothy Edward Flood

No action.

Article 72 Bylaw Amendment/Restrictions On The Use Of Outside Counsel

No action

Article 73   Resolution/Us Supreme Court Decision In Citizens United.

Dick Smith argued that Town Meeting should advocate overturning the Citizens United decision. Sean Harrington argued that Town Meeting shouldn’t consider the article. It was approved 109-42.  I did not vote on this article.  I think that it’s unnecessarily divisive to discuss national issues where there is little or no impact from our vote.

Article 38  Collective Bargaining

Al Tosti said this is to fund future collective bargaining.  Approved.

Town Meeting was dissolved.

I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I type notes. I’m sure that, at times, I mishear or misunderstand the speaker, but my notes represent what I hear at the time. I then publish the notes every night after the meeting. I do go back and make a few edits as errors are pointed out to me.

I do not try to reproduce my entire notes for this online version. Sometimes I relay a quote from a specific speaker. Most of the time I only summarize the discussion. At points I give a purely personal opinion; those are clearly labeled like this: Personal note.

The Board of Selectmen meeting ran late, so I was late to Town Meeting. I walked in during Dick Smith’s announcement, and I missed the moderator’s comments. I can reconstruct the rest of the opening, but may have missed comments and announcements.

Jane Howard opened Town Meeting with the “Star-Spangled Banner” on piano.

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, May 16, at 8PM.

Dick Smith made an announcement about Citizen’s United. I imagine that it was the same announcement he made on the first night.

Article 25 – Ban Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers, continued

Moderator John Leone reprised the discussion so far: opponents to leaf blowers think they blow all sorts of nasty things in the air. Proponents of leaf blowers think they are wonderful labor-saving devices. He asked speakers to avoid repetition on these points.

Bob Radochia made a substitute motion. He would restrict use of leaf blowers to certain months, Oct 15 to May 15, the months where leaves are generally found on the ground. Maria Romano spoke against both substitute motions. She said to ignore the scare the tactics and to permit people to continue to use the tools they want. She suggested that people who aren’t happy with leaf blowers should move out of town. Bill Kaplan moved to terminate debate, and it was approved. Radochia’s substitute motion was approved 84-81. That left the meeting in a state of much confusion. If we have two substitute motions, and they are both approved, then which motion is the final one? In retrospect, I think we should have taken Bob Radochia’s motion as an amendment, not a substitute – that would have been more straight forward to vote on. As it is, I think the will of the meeting was done, and that is what matters. Band’s substitute went down by voice. Radochia’s substitute motion was approved 95-85.

Article 40 – Budgets

Finance Committee Chair Al Tosti gave a brief introduction of the budget. The moderator ran through the list of budgets, and interested members called “hold” for budgets they had additional questions for.

Planning and Community Development. Mark Kappelein would like to know where Mass Ave reconstruction easements are budgeted – the answer is, they are not in appropriated funds, but in Chapter 90 funds.

Redevelopment Board: Gordon Jamieson asked a question about Gibbs expenses – should it be under Redevelopment or Planning? The answer is the same people will do the work regardless of how the town votes in Article 27.

Public Works: Ed Trembly: how much salt did we use last year? Mike Rademacher said we bought 4193 tons at a cost of $269,000 with about 90% of it used. It was noted that last year we budgeted $577k for ice and snow, and we spent $507k. It was the lightest winter in years. Christian Klein asked what drove the lower street lighting budget – the answer is LED street lights. Paul Schlictman moved to terminate debate on the article, and that failed on voice vote. There was further discussion.

Community Safety: Bruce Wheltle spoke about animal control, and asked for more enforcement on dog control. Annie LaCourt asked about fire and police overtime, and both chiefs responded. There was a question about the addition of a custodian. It is for better maintenance of the building as we invest in it. Paul Schlictman talked about increasing parking enforcement for revenue purposes.

Inspection. Chris Loreti asked about Symmes one-time expenses, and compared it to work at the former Brighams site.

Education: Chairman Kirsi Allison-Ampe gave an introduction. She remarked on the additions made to the budget in the last two years, and noted that the budget is still below 2010. Superintendent  Kathy Bodie gave a presentation that ran through the achievements of the schools and the budget proposal for next year.  There was significant discussion about special education costs.

We had a 10 minute break.

Janice Weber asked about $3000 support for the annual census – there was no immediate answer. John Leonard asked about the state’s accelerated payment of school rebuilding costs, and it was answered that they have been received and placed in the general fund.  They are tracked in the capital budget, not the operating budget. Stephen Harrington – noted that the school budget has increased significantly over the last several years, and the report indicates a decrease in athletics spending.  There was a discrepancy in numbers for FY11 in the FinCom and School budgets, which was explained that one was after the fall Special Town Meeting and one was after the regular spring Town Meeting.  Alan Jones noted that such discrepancies would become less likely if the town adopted a more coordinated finance department as recommended by the DoR.  I thought this was a great comment by Alan.  Often times when I want to talk about the challenges of our current financial organization, I find it very difficult to say what I want without sounding like I’m attacking someone, even when that is not my intent.  Alan managed to find a neutral example – no one was exactly wrong, but the numbers sure weren’t right – they were not coordinated.  He managed to make the point about financial coordination changes without it being a fight. Roland Chaput: asked about technology in the schools, and supported the improvements there.  David Good answered at length. Paul Schlictman asked a question on athletic spending. CFO Diane Johnson said that FY11 was new budget tracking method, and that lead to errors in tracking.  She suggested that athletic spending wasn’t actually cut, but the tracking wasn’t accurate. This year, there is better tracking. John Deyst said we have the best schools in world. There was a question on maintenance of Dallin. Carl Wagner complimented the school department on producing a good report. Bill Berkowitz asked why not have a full-time grant writer? Bodie: It’s a limited budget. I sympathize with this question.  Either there are additional grants to pursue, or there aren’t, and the answer was not clear. Mark Kapplein: Followed up on athletic spending question from earlier, and then asked a series of questions on the cost of baseball helmets, concussion testing for all sports, early childhood education, the use of iPads in a pilot program and more.  His time ran out.  There was a question on bringing back ACE program that was responded to by Dr. Bodie.

Libraries: Gordon Jamieson elicited an answer that we do not need a waiver this year.

Insurance: Roland Chaput asked about HRA subscriber fee – it’s part of the new GIC program. Linda Hanson asked about the balance on the Health Care Trust Fund. It has about $3million left in it.  That was more money than I realized.  Finding the right use for that money is going to be complex.

Water and Sewer. Gordon Jamieson had several questions about several of the monetary flows. Al Tosti said that next year’s budget will show offsets more clearly, and perhaps balance sheet. Janice Brodman asked about increased stormwater drain costs. Rademacher says it is because of expected, more stringent EPA regulations.

Youth Services.  Christine Connolly talked about the dramatic change and success in the delivery model of youth services support, with more than 200 clients today.

The budget was approved unanimously.

We adjourned.

With 20ish articles left, and most of them as no-brainer finance articles, I think we have a very good chance of finishing on Wednesday!  Here’s hoping for brevity and dispatch.

I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I type notes. I’m sure that, at times, I mishear or misunderstand the speaker, but my notes represent what I hear at the time. I then publish the notes every night after the meeting. I do go back and make a few edits as errors are pointed out to me.

I do not try to reproduce my entire notes for this online version. Sometimes I relay a quote from a specific speaker. Most of the time I only summarize the discussion. At points I give a purely personal opinion; those are clearly labeled like this: Personal note.

Town Meeting Member Charles Gallagher played the national anthem on the piano and the members sang along.

In Moderator John Leone’s opening remarks, he noted the progress we had made so far, and were likely to finish the Special Town Meeting tonight “if we finish the discussion on Article 10 ad infinitum.”

Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Kevin Greeley moved that the meeting will resume Monday May 14, and it was approved.

Announcements

• Gordon Jamieson made a detailed description of the Community Collection Day this May 12 9am to 1pm. Read more details on the town website.
• Steve DeCourcey announced that the Arlington High Girls Tennis team was selling baked goods in the hall.
• Christian Klein reported from the Friends of Robbins Farm Park: this Saturday at 4PM they are celebrating the return of the hillslides.
• Mark Kaepplein recounted a recent health scare at his neighbor’s house. He complimented and thanked our public safety employees. There was a long round of applause.

Article 3 – Reports was taken off the table.

• We heard the report of the Tree Committee. He talked about their work and pointed out their website, arlingtontrees.org.
• Jane Howard gave the report of the Vision 2020 committee, including noting the results of the annual survey.

The moderator reminded committees that are no longer active to come to town meeting and ask to be dissolved.

Article 3 was tabled.

The moderator declared regular Town Meeting to be recessed, and re-opened the Special Town Meeting.

Kevin Greeley set the date for the meeting to be resumed to be May 14. This ended up being moot, as we dissolved the special meeting tonight.

Article 10        Bylaw Amendment/Rubbish Collection, continued

Bill Kaplan moved an additional amendment. He did not believe this is really a problem, so he proposed that people have additional hours to bring trash back in from the curb.  There was a motion to terminate debate which carried.  Scott Smith said he liked Kaplan’s amendment better. This was technically extending the debate after debate was terminated, but it did help the voting considerably.  There was no longer a real risk of two somewhat contradictory amendments being passed.  Smith’s amendment went down by voice vote. Kaplan’s amendment was approved 137-40.  Main motion -was approved 133-48.

Article 1 was taken from the table.

Special Town Meeting was dissolved.  The regular Town Meeting was resumed.

Al Tosti moved to take Articles 44-46 from the table because the Minuteman Superintendent is here.

Article 44 – Appropriation/Court Judgment In Favor Of Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District

Mary Ellen Bilafer moved a substitute motion. John Bilafer chair of the Arlington Retirement Board spoke in explanation of the motion.  He talked about the circumstances of the $785,000 court judgment against the retirement board. Arlington administered the retirement for Minuteman for the first 10 years. The courts ruled that Arlington was required to assume the burden of the retirement cost of those employees for those 10 years. There is no option but to pay. However, by making the payment over 10 years time, that could save the town money. The purpose of the substitute motion is to put the payment in the town’s hands, and the town is more likely to get the 10 year payment agreement. The town has leverage where the retirement board does not.  Al Tosti said that the Finance Committee supports the substitute motion as the best option available. After a question, Mr. Bilafer said they had appealed the decision, but lost the appeal, and their lawyer said there was no sense in appealing further.  Mark McCabe moved to terminate debate, and it was. Ms. Bilafer’s substitute motion was substituted by voice vote. The substitute motion was then approved unanimously.

Article 45 – Minuteman Appropriation

Stephen DeCourcey is the Finance Committee’s representative to Minuteman, and he introduced the article. He noted that this year’s Minuteman assessment is up considerably. One of the biggest drivers of that increase is that Arlington’s fraction of students went from 26% to 32% of member town students. He noted a 4.97% increase in total budget at the school. He pointed out Laura Morrissette, Arlington’s representative to the Minuteman School Committee. He introduced Minuteman Superintendent Ed Bouquillon. Dr. Bouquillon referred to the previous Article 44 in his opening remarks: he said that he would work on settling the judgment with the two retirement boards (Arlington and Minuteman). Dr. Bouquillon walked the meeting through the proposed budget. He talked about achievements and improvements at the school in the last year. Charlie Foskett, speaking for himself, moved a substitute motion that would reduce the Minuteman appropriation by $700,000. He said that the Minuteman regional agreement is awful for Arlington. He noted that the awful agreement made votes like this.  He asked that Town Meeting send message to the Selectmen and FinCom to change the Minuteman agreement. He likes Minuteman, and had high praise for Bouquillon. He compared the agreement to the old NESWC agreement. He noted that part of the increase in Arlington’s assessment was because of a change in savings rate by Minuteman. Minuteman did it because we have no control, and they knew they could.   He said the Selectmen and FinCom have failed to block the feasibility study. Outlined changes needed in the regional agreement – proportional votes, capital allocation, exit agreement.  He said that we had to say no now because in two years the plan will have too much momentum and we’ll give in.

We had a 10 minute break.

Al Tosti said that  we’re discussing more than one issue, but we’re only voting on one.  We should only vote on this one.  He said if you support Charlie you’ll cost the town money when we do a special town meeting, because we will be forced to pay the full amount.  He noted that change to the regional agreement requires unanimous votes of the towns.  He noted that the FinComm supported the feasibility study 12-5 and Selectmen 4-1.  He said we need the scope and materials  from the feasibility study to sell the building to new towns, or we’re never going to get the changes.  He said vote no on substitute for practical and forward looking. Bill Hayner: was the feasibility money voted already?  yes, in 2010.  Superintendent: 40% of students are non-member.  Arlington is 32% of the member towns’ students.  We cannot charge non-member students for capital costs, but we are trying.  Chaput: schools is in good shape.  We need the school, and the programs it makes.  Paul Schlictman – they’ve made progress, but the governance is still broken.  Support the budget, but don’t vote on a capital plan without a change.  He noted that  13 of 16 towns have already voted yes.  Voting no is a moot point and muddy message.  Leo Doherty moved to terminate debate, by 119-51 vote is terminated (it required 2/3 vote, and it met 2/3).  Foskett amendment was defeated.  Main motion approved.  I had a pretty good speech for this, but I didn’t get up before the vote.  Probably just as well!  If I’d gotten up, I wanted to focus on a key point from Charlie Foskett’s presentation.  I agree with the vast majority of things that he said.  The place I disagreed was that he said we had to say no now.  I disagree.  The reason it has to be now is if you believe we can’t say no in two years; I believe we have the necessary backbone to say no.  The reason to delay the no is that it will be easier to get a satisfactory outcome if we have a feasibility study in hand.  We can use that study as the carrot to get other towns into the system and make the system viable.  My final point was about the concept of “sending a message.” I’m confident that Minuteman has gotten the message.  Candidly, I think they have a very difficult road.  I think it is unlikely that there will be a plan in two years that we can agree to.  But I think the feasibility study is the best chance we have.

Article 46 – Vote/Establish Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School Stabilization Fund

Al Tosti noted that enough towns had already approved this, so our vote didn’t matter.  Still, we voted no action.  We’re overruled, but we still think it’s a bad idea.

Article 32, Again

A motion to reconsider was made by Andrew Fischer.  He wants to ask everyone to stop talking about financial restructuring because some people don’t like the idea.  He claimed the DoR report was biased and prejudiced.  He said the discussion is draining, so we shouldn’t have it.  Al Tosti noted that the DoR studied what we asked them to.  We didn’t ask them to study the Retirement Committee.  He noted that there are parts of the report, like water-sewer offsets, that are already being implemented, and we shouldn’t ignore the report.  Ted Peluso: we need to look at this.  Town Reorganization Committee voted  4-1-4 to accept the report – 4 accept except parts referring to appointed/elected officials, and 1 voted accept unconditionally.  John Worden says the DoR is prejudiced, and they were out to get the treasurer.  He accused the DoR of lying about the treasurer.  I get the strong impression that there was an organized campaign to get Town Meeting to accept two statements as fact.  The thing is, nothing becomes true simply because it is repeated.  I think there is a lot more to say on the two issues: 1) whether or not the DoR was prejudiced in its report and 2) how much of the override savings fund was lost in the stock market.  Nathan Swilling move to terminate debate.  Debate was terminated.  Reconsideration failed.  This was one of the oddest motions I’ve ever seen.  I’ve never seen someone try to get Town Meeting to ask people to stop talking.  I find it unreasonable to pretend that everything is OK by not talking about the issue.  Many of us in town (myself included) think that the current system needs to be improved.  I’m going to keep talking about that. I’m going to be polite, I’m going to be professional, and I’m going to be persistent.  I will not be quiet simply because some people find the issue uncomfortable.  

Article 25  –  Bylaw Amendment/Leaf Blower Regulation

This article had been postponed.  Carol Band made a substitute motion to ban gas-powered leaf blowers.  She talked about noise and pollution. She compared leaf blowers to secondhand smoke.  She cited other communities that have restricted leaf blowers.  She compared this action to banning burning leaves.  Arlington landscaper Eli Garzon talked about how he doesn’t use leaf blowers.  There was some confusion because the amendment version Juliana Rice had was different than what Moderator read, but it was resolved.  Tommy Caccavaro said that it will cost more to get your lawn cleaned if this is passed.  He talked about other noise sources that are worse.  Janice Brodman was opposed to the substitute motion, and she contradicted some of the earlier statements about other communities based on her phone calls.  Jeremy Marin gave a presentation about the health hazards of leaf blowers.  He talked about dust, herbicides, lead paint, poop, and other particulates that are blown around by leaf blowers.  He closed saying “If I threw herbicide and feces in your open window, you’d have me arrested” and compared that to leaf blowing.  Jeremy was kind enough to email his notes, if you’re interested.  You can download the three files here, here, and here.

We adjourned for the night.

So, it’s time to start playing the annual game of “when will Town Meeting end?”  I looked at the rest of the warrant, and I picked 5/21.  But some people I talked to think it might be as early as 5/16.