{"id":1554,"date":"2012-05-17T02:00:19","date_gmt":"2012-05-17T06:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/?p=1554"},"modified":"2012-05-17T02:00:19","modified_gmt":"2012-05-17T06:00:19","slug":"town-meeting-12-session-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/2012\/05\/town-meeting-12-session-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Town Meeting \u00e2\u20ac\u212212, Session 8"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I type notes. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m 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.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>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:\u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Personal note<\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The meeting opened with the Selectones singing God Bless America and the Star-Spangled Banner. Patsy Kraemer and Charlie Gallagher played the piano.<\/p>\n<p>Town Moderator John Leone noted that we might finish tonight if things move speedily. He also gave another reminder on civility.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Announcements<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Harry McCabe missed a meeting and thanked everyone for the well-wishes.<\/li>\n<li>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. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">This sounds like an\u00c2\u00a0unfortunate\u00c2\u00a0misunderstanding between Mr. Horowitz and Mr. Leone.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Leslie Mayer Chairman of Parks and Recreation announced that the off-leash dog park at Thorndike will open on Monday May 21st at 6AM.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Article 3<\/strong> taken from the table<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00c2\u00a0Gary Horowitz delivered the report of the Human Rights Commission.<\/li>\n<li>Angela Olszewski gave the report of the\u00c2\u00a0Arlington Committee of Tourism and Economic Development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Article 3 was tabled.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 27 -\u00c2\u00a0Transfer Of Real Property\/Gibbs Junior\u00c2\u00a0High School<\/strong> -\u00c2\u00a0back from the table<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 14 &#8211; Liens-School Fees\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>taken from the table<\/p>\n<p>School committee, Selectmen, and FinComm all changed their vote to no action. \u00c2\u00a0No action approved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 47 &#8211; Special Education Reserve Account\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>off the table<\/p>\n<p>Al Tosti moved $500,000 from FY12 be moved to the special ed reserve account. Stephen Harrington spoke in favor. Moved unanimously.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 52 -\u00c2\u00a0Signage For Historic Sites\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>was taken from the table.<\/p>\n<p>Angela Olszewski\u00c2\u00a0talked about the purpose of the signage, the existing signage, and what ideas they have in mind. &#8220;Come for culture. Stay for Dinner.&#8221; 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\u00c2\u00a0because\u00c2\u00a0it 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&#8217;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&#8217;s amendment was in scope, and the moderator ruled Berkowitz&#8217;s motion to be out of scope of the warrant article. \u00c2\u00a0The moderator gave a good explanation on why it was out-of-scope. \u00c2\u00a0Warrant articles set the outer limits of what you can talk about. \u00c2\u00a0This warrant article was written very narrowly (about signs) and included an amount of money ($20,000). \u00c2\u00a0Berkowitz wanted more than signs, and more than $20,000, and that exceeded the warrant article. \u00c2\u00a0It was\u00c2\u00a0asked where the signs would be. Loreti was opposed to spending money to support non-profit organizations. Hugh McCrory complained that ATED meetings don&#8217;t have punctual minutes. Debate is terminated by Gordon Jamieson. Angela&#8217;s amendment passed, and main motion passed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 55 -\u00c2\u00a0Harry Barber Community\u00c2\u00a0Service Program<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ann Fitzgerald said this would reinstate the program. Voted unanimously.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 56 &#8211; \u00c2\u00a0Appropriation\/Uncle Sam Committee 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Elsie Fiorie spoke in support of the funding. Lawrence McKinney spoke in favor. McCrory\u00c2\u00a0terminated\u00c2\u00a0debate.\u00c2\u00a0Approved\u00c2\u00a0unanimously.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 57 &#8211; Arlington Senior Center<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No action unanimously<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 58 -\u00c2\u00a0Appropriation\/Arlington High\u00c2\u00a0School Concussion Reduction Program<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>We had a 10-minute break.<\/p>\n<p>Al Tosti described the funding process of this &#8211; there were several hearings, the schools agreed to spend the money, and he didn&#8217;t understand why there was a motion to spend more. \u00c2\u00a0He 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\u00c2\u00a0legality\u00c2\u00a0of the vote. He was opposed to the spending. Edward Harris \u00c2\u00a0talked about the inherent dangerousness of football, and was opposed to the spending. Joe Curren supports the spending &#8211; he wants to see what happens to kids in the field. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">He called the decision a &#8220;no brainer&#8221; &#8211; I saw more than one grin in the meeting.<\/span>\u00c2\u00a0Diane Mahon moved to terminate the vote. Harrington&#8217;s motion went down 53-121.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 59\u00c2\u00a0Pension Adjustment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 60 &#8211; Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 61 &#8211; Appropriation\/Overlay Reserve<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 62 Appropriation\/Stabilization Fund<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 63 Appropriation\/Override Stabilization Fund<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 64 Appropriation\/Tip Fee Stabilization<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Some of these votes in this string required 2\/3, and some didn&#8217;t, but I didn&#8217;t capture which ones. \u00c2\u00a0None of these votes were unanimous. \u00c2\u00a0If I heard the &#8220;no&#8217;s&#8221; correctly, certain people were unhappy with losing earlier votes in the night, and were simply voting no on everything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 65 &#8211; Transfer Of Funds\/Cemetery<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 66 &#8211; Use Of Free Cash<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 67 &#8211; Vote\/Flood Study Interlaken Neighborhood<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Approved<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 68- Vote\/Geographic Information System (GIS)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>John Belskis tried to make a motion, but it wasn&#8217;t in the proper form, and was ruled out of order. \u00c2\u00a0Voted no action. \u00c2\u00a0<span><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">John is very\u00c2\u00a0persistent\u00c2\u00a0on this issue. \u00c2\u00a0He doesn&#8217;t like the answer that he&#8217;s been given, and he keeps asking the question. \u00c2\u00a0Someday he may even get the answer he&#8217;s looking for, but not until the town has more affordable housing than it does today.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 69 Vote\/Rescind Eminent Domain Authoritymassachusetts Avenue Sidewalks<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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\u00c2\u00a0eminent\u00c2\u00a0domain. 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. \u00c2\u00a0He 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. \u00c2\u00a0He 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. \u00c2\u00a0The substitute failed 40-132. No action was voted.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 70 Vote\/Add Ballot Question On Mass. Ave. \u00c2\u00a0Travel Lane Count<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>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.\u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> Mr. Greeley did get one thing wrong &#8211; the Selectmen could have put this on the ballot, but we voted not to.<\/span> Charlie Foskett moved to terminate debate. Kapplein&#8217;s motion failed. \u00c2\u00a0Voted no action. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The debates on 69 and 70 were both tedious &#8211; lots of long-winded speakers, lots of strawmen arguments, and a fair number of easily debunked claims were made. \u00c2\u00a0And, in the end, the result is the same &#8211; most of the town thinks the project should go forward, and a vocal minority is opposed to it. \u00c2\u00a0The good news is that next year, the speakers will be restricted to 7 minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>There was a motion to adjourn, and it failed. \u00c2\u00a0We were on the home stretch, and people wanted to finish.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 71 Home Rule Legislation\/Timothy Edward Flood<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No action.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 72 Bylaw Amendment\/Restrictions On The Use Of Outside Counsel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>No action<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 73 \u00c2\u00a0 Resolution\/Us Supreme Court Decision In Citizens United.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Dick Smith argued that Town Meeting should advocate overturning the Citizens United decision. Sean Harrington argued that Town Meeting shouldn&#8217;t consider the article. It was approved 109-42. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">\u00c2\u00a0I did not vote on this article. \u00c2\u00a0I think that it&#8217;s unnecessarily divisive to discuss national issues where there is little or no impact from our vote.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 38 \u00c2\u00a0Collective Bargaining<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Al Tosti said this is to fund future collective bargaining. \u00c2\u00a0Approved.<\/p>\n<p>Town Meeting was dissolved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I type notes. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1554","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-town-meeting-12"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1554","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1554"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1560,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1554\/revisions\/1560"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}