{"id":750,"date":"2010-05-04T02:41:21","date_gmt":"2010-05-04T06:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/?p=750"},"modified":"2010-05-04T12:41:22","modified_gmt":"2010-05-04T16:41:22","slug":"town-meeting-10-session-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/2010\/05\/town-meeting-10-session-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Town Meeting &#8217;10 Session 3"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>90% taken on the laptop, and 10% on paper, tonight. \u00c2\u00a0I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I jot 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: <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Personal note<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>8:07 start.<\/p>\n<p>Charlie Gallagher played the piano and lead the meeting in the national anthem.<\/p>\n<p>The next meeting was set for May 5th.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>ARB member Chris Loreti announced that the Redevelopment Board&#8217;s Special Town Meeting report is on everyone&#8217;s seats, and will be officially reported at next week&#8217;s Special Town Meeting.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.town.arlington.ma.us\/Public_Documents\/ArlingtonMA_Calendar\/S0151A3DA-0156645B?formid=161\">Spy Pond Trails Day<\/a> was announced by Jane Howard.<\/li>\n<li>John Worden made a resolution honoring the passing of former town meeting member Margaret Peggy Nichol.<\/li>\n<li>After the Moderator&#8217;s announcement, there was a round of applause for Josh Lobel&#8217;s work on adding visual presentation. \u00c2\u00a0He&#8217;s hung a couple projectors to make it easier to incorporate presentations and updates into the meetings.<\/li>\n<li>Moderator says that future controversial resolutions need to be in the warrant so they can be debated &#8211; we were too hasty with the first night&#8217;s stand against racism motion. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">I think he&#8217;s correct. \u00c2\u00a0The non-debateable resolutions should be restricted to items that are relatively free of controversy. \u00c2\u00a0I&#8217;m glad he&#8217;s making that change.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Article 3 &#8211; Reports. <\/strong>Al Tosti moves to take Article 3 from the table. \u00c2\u00a0Town Governance Interim Report is recieved from Mr. Tosti. \u00c2\u00a0The article is tabled again.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 13 &#8211; Symmes<\/strong>. \u00c2\u00a0Clariss Rowe moved a postponment to the 5th. \u00c2\u00a0She did this because Paul Schlictman had provided a substitute motion, and they were waiting for 48 hours to elapse. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">It&#8217;s worth noting that earlier in the evening the Finance Committee endorsed Schlictman&#8217;s motion by a 10-1 vote.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 22 &#8211; Additional 2 Alcohol Licenses.<\/strong> Moderator Leone reports that he did represent one of the liquor stores 2 years ago, but has not represented them since and has not spoken about this article with them at all. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Good for him &#8211; this is conflict of interest disclosure working exactly as it should. <\/span>Selectman Greeley explained that he would like to have two more licenses available, and he had promised to bring the question up at last year&#8217;s town meeting. \u00c2\u00a0He wants a liquor store in the heights. \u00c2\u00a0Selectman Mahon voted against because of concerns of density and concerns about supply and demand and want to hear about what the vote result is on all-alcohol. \u00c2\u00a0Over the course of the debate the timeline was reviewed: on November&#8217;s ballot will be a binding question on whether the town should permit all-alcohol liqour licenses. \u00c2\u00a0Today&#8217;s question, for two additional licenses, would likely appear on the ballot in April. \u00c2\u00a0The two questions are independent of each other. \u00c2\u00a0 Maria Meg Moloney Pct 1 noted that \u00c2\u00a0Menotomy beer and wine supports Arlington schools. \u00c2\u00a0Neal Duggan of Menotomy Beer and Wine (Arlington resident) spoke. \u00c2\u00a0Raised $12,000 for charities. \u00c2\u00a0Paid back $20,000 of $200,000 that they owe in startup costs. \u00c2\u00a0Competition would make him lay off employees. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> He&#8217;s\u00c2\u00a0explicitly\u00c2\u00a0asking for market protection. I like his store and I appreciate the work he does for the community, but that is not justification for government protection of his business. <\/span> Annie LaCourt and Diane Mahon disagreed about whether there was data to back up the statement about how many\u00c2\u00a0liquor\u00c2\u00a0stores are supported on average in neighboring towns. \u00c2\u00a0Town Counsel Julianna Rice explained Nov 09 TM approved the home rule to put all-alcohol on the ballot, and the state just approved it. \u00c2\u00a0If that ballot question passes, the BoS will be authorized but not required to convert up to 3 of the existing licenses into all-alcohol. \u00c2\u00a0 Greeley corrects Mahon that 5 people requested alcohol licenses, not 3. \u00c2\u00a0LaCourt contradicts Mahon&#8217;s statement that the license must be put out. \u00c2\u00a0Town Counsel Rice supports LaCourt &#8211; yes, if the BoS denies a license, we might get sued, but a well-reasoned decision that explains why the public need is not met by the license will prevail.<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"> This question was a recurring theme in later questioning, and I think that Mahon&#8217;s statements were not accurate and not helpful. \u00c2\u00a0She repeatedly said that &#8220;if the applicant meets our requirements then we have to approve the license.&#8221; \u00c2\u00a0Town Counsel Julianna Rice contradicted this and said that one of the things that Selectmen can consider is whether or not the license &#8220;meets a public need.&#8221; \u00c2\u00a0 Mahon kept talking about &#8220;meeting requirements&#8221; and made no mention of the legal standard that Rice did. \u00c2\u00a0I was on the list to speak, and I wanted to clarify the argument, but I didn&#8217;t get a chance to speak. \u00c2\u00a0If you read the case law, the ultimate decision goes both ways, but the legal standard is clearly public need &#8211; not &#8220;meeting requirements.&#8221; \u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mass.gov\/abcc\/administration\/4_19_01_northreading.html\">Here&#8217;s an example<\/a>. <\/span> LaCourt explains that she wants this as a future option &#8211; new\u00c2\u00a0licenses\u00c2\u00a0can be used to support a future development. \u00c2\u00a0We can&#8217;t possibly have these new licenses for another 18 months anyway &#8211; Mr. Duggan will get the protection he&#8217;s looking for. \u00c2\u00a0A speaker was opposed to booze in general. \u00c2\u00a0A couple wanted to go slower. \u00c2\u00a0The debate itself was questioned &#8211; why is alcohol so special? \u00c2\u00a0We don&#8217;t debate sushi or Indian food or pizza places or nail salons. \u00c2\u00a0&#8220;If you think this town meeting is the right body to debate how many stores we can support, you&#8217;re deluding yourself.&#8221; \u00c2\u00a0Several speakers opposed protectionism and wanted to let the market speak. \u00c2\u00a0The motion failed on voice vote. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">I voted in favor of this. \u00c2\u00a0I also would have spoken, but it didn&#8217;t come to me before debate was terminated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Article 23 &#8211; Home Rule Legislation Noelan Corbett. <\/strong><\/span> Diane Mahon explains that this doesn&#8217;t give him a job, it just gives him the option to apply for the job, despite the fact that he&#8217;s 33. \u00c2\u00a0A speaker says it&#8217;s a &#8220;young person&#8217;s job.&#8221; \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">I disagree &#8211; it&#8217;s a job for a healthy fit person. \u00c2\u00a0The age of the person shouldn&#8217;t matter.<\/span> Failed on voice vote.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 24 &#8211; Council on Aging Donation.<\/strong> Harry McCabe asked for postponement to the 12th. \u00c2\u00a0He said he&#8217;d have a substitute motion. \u00c2\u00a0The moderator told him to provide the paper 48 hours in advance, on the 10th. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">He didn&#8217;t actually say he&#8217;ll have paperwork, so this will be an issue, I&#8217;m sure. \u00c2\u00a0Also, this was the second postponed article of the night. \u00c2\u00a0As you&#8217;ll read below, this was a recurring theme &#8211; people just not ready for Town Meeting. \u00c2\u00a0The Finance Committee heard the Council on Aging on this article on February 24th &#8211; more than 60 days ago! \u00c2\u00a0I do not understand why, more than 60 days later, they don&#8217;t have a substitute motion ready.<\/span><br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 25 &#8211; Texting While Driving.<\/strong> Voted no action. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Paul Schlictman wanted to ask a question, which is really pretty pointless because there is no action to be done here; people rudely shouted while he was speaking. \u00c2\u00a0In my opinion, all parties should have held their tongues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>10 minute break. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">And it really was 10 minutes! \u00c2\u00a0Great work by the moderator.<\/span><br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 26 &#8211; Double Pole Regulation<\/strong> &#8211; \u00c2\u00a0Voted no action.<br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 27 &#8211; GIC home rule petition. <\/strong> Postponed to 5\/17. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">This is where the postponements started getting silly. \u00c2\u00a0The facts of this issue have been available for months. \u00c2\u00a0The teacher&#8217;s union refuses to negotiate with the town about the GIC. \u00c2\u00a0The only way for us to get to the GIC, therefore, is through this home rule petition. \u00c2\u00a0There is no reason that the Board of Selectmen had to wait this long to put out their recommendation. <\/span><br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 28 &#8211; Pension Liability.<\/strong> Al Tosti explained that the state legislature was moving very slowly on this bill, and until it&#8217;s done, this article might be needed. \u00c2\u00a0He wishes to lay it on the table where it can age while the Senate considers it. \u00c2\u00a0The meeting need not consider it at all, hopefully. \u00c2\u00a0Tabled.<br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 29-32 &#8211; Parmenter and Crosby Schools. <\/strong>Postpone 5\/12. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">This one you can blame on the School Committee. \u00c2\u00a0They only voted on this article last week, after Town Meeting had already started. \u00c2\u00a0The Board of Selectmen took a vote promptly at their next meeting. <\/span>Selectmen will provide a recommendation in paper on Weds; vote next week.<br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 33, 34 &#8211; Combining School and Town Functions.<\/strong> Moved to postpone to 5\/12 by Stephen Gilligan. \u00c2\u00a0Postponed by 109-36. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">This vote was in the Selectmen&#8217;s packet, so I don&#8217;t understand why Mr. Gilligan wanted it postponed. \u00c2\u00a0At this point the meeting was getting annoyed with all of the postponements. \u00c2\u00a0It was a fascinating vote where the front (establishment types) and the back of the room (anti-establishment types) voted against the middle of the room &#8211; but the middle is bigger.<\/span><br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 35 &#8211; Conflict of Interest. <\/strong>Voted no action.<br \/>\n<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article 36 &#8211; Canine Control. <\/strong>Sue Doctorow asks for a tabling because the selectmen had just had a re-hearing and had run out of time. \u00c2\u00a092-63 vote to table failed (required 2\/3). \u00c2\u00a0She moved a substitute motion dated April 28th. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">This is a moment where the 48-hour policy inhibited debate. \u00c2\u00a0There was a clear intent to provide a substitute motion. The version dated 5\/3 was cleaner and more clear, but was functionally identical to the 4\/28 version. \u00c2\u00a0In this case the policy meant that we were forced to debate an inferior motion. \u00c2\u00a0An exception would have been a better choice. <\/span>She talked about an 8 year debate, 3 at Town Meeting. \u00c2\u00a0Green Dog was rejected by 5 votes last year, and it was deemed too complex. \u00c2\u00a0This motion is much more simpler. \u00c2\u00a0This motion complements the work of the dog park fences committee. \u00c2\u00a0She noted that &#8220;Owner control&#8221; is a very powerful phrase. \u00c2\u00a0Parks and Rec Commission gets to make decisions in the end. \u00c2\u00a0It&#8217;s also cheap. \u00c2\u00a0Parks and Recreaction approved this language. \u00c2\u00a0Several speakers talked about decisions based on fear, dogs and children, and people attacked by dogs. \u00c2\u00a0Leslie Mayer explained that Parks and Rec agreed that there was demand for dog recreation, and the town was not meeting that need, and that was why they supported this. \u00c2\u00a0There were discussions about responsible and irresponsible dog owners. \u00c2\u00a0After more than an hour of debate, Mr.\u00c2\u00a0Fuller moved to postpone to 5\/12. \u00c2\u00a0That was debated. \u00c2\u00a065-79 adjournment vote fails. \u00c2\u00a0Finally the postponement question was moved, and by\u00c2\u00a080-67 the article was postponed. \u00c2\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The good news about the postponement is that we get to consider the better motion. \u00c2\u00a0The bad news is that we didn&#8217;t get the job done. \u00c2\u00a0I voted against postponement; I was prepared to vote the current language, as-is.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The meeting was adjourned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>90% taken on the laptop, and 10% on paper, tonight. \u00c2\u00a0I take notes during Town Meeting. They are not official in any way. As I listen to people speak, I jot 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-arlington","category-town-meeting-10"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/750","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=750"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":756,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/750\/revisions\/756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dandunn.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}