TOWN OF ACUSHNET

WARRANT

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011 AT 7:00 P.M.

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

 

 

 

Bristol, SS

To the Constable of the Town of Acushnet

                                                                                      Greetings:

 

 

In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Acushnet, who are qualified to vote in Elections and Town Affairs, to meet at the Acushnet Ford Middle School Auditorium in said Acushnet, Monday, the Twenty-Fourth (24th) day of October, at 7:00 P.M. in the evening then and there to act on the following articles viz:

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1.  To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Sewer Phase II Betterment Fund the sum of $75,000.00 for the purpose of reimbursing the General Fund for debt service expenditures previously incurred, or to take any other action relative thereto.

 

(Submitted by Board of Selectmen)

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of Twelve Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Eight Dollars to implement wage increases for those employees covered by the following Union Contract: Town Hall (AFSCME Local 851), and non-union employees retroactive to July 1, 2011, or to take any other action relative thereto.  ($12,368.00)

         

Department Selectmen #0101122

Line item # 511300   (Salaries- Clerical) $3,384.00

Department Town Accountant #0101135

Line item # 511400 (Salaries- Billing Clerk)        $1,005.00

Department Assessors  #0101141

Line item # 511300  (Salaries-Clerical) $969.00

Department Police  #0102210

Line Item #511100 (Salaries Permanent) $2,010.00

Department Council on Aging 0105541

Line item #511000 (Salaries Director) $5,000.00

 

 

(Submitted by Board of Selectmen)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 3.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of Twenty One Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Five Dollars to fund the cost items of a contract between the Town and the Acushnet Permanent Fire Fighters Assoc. Local# 3281 Affiliated with the International Association of Fire Fighters, for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012, with wage increases retroactive to July 1, 2010, or to take any other action relative thereto.  ($21,365.00)

 

Department # 0102220

Line item # 511100 (Salaries- Permanent) $18,714.01

Training/CPR/1st –Aid #538100 $2,650.00

 

(Submitted by Board of Selectmen)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 4.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of Four Thousand Five Hundred Dollars for the purpose of retaining the services of a Health Insurance Advisory Consultant, or to take any other action relative thereto. ($4,500.00)

 

 

(Submitted by the Board of Selectmen)

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 5.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars, to be expended by the Board of Selectmen, for the purpose of conducting a Police Station Feasibility Study, including all costs incidental and related thereto, or to take any other action relative thereto. ($35,000.00)

 

 

(Submitted by the Board of Selectmen)

 

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

 

 ARTICLE 6.  To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the roadway known as Elderberry Drive, as heretofore laid out by the Board of Selectmen in the manner described below, which description is on file at the Town Clerk’s Office, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire on behalf of the Town, by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, interests in property sufficient to use said way for all purposes for which public ways are used in the Town of Acushnet and all associated easements, or take any action relative thereto.

Legal Description

Elderberry Drive

 

 

Beginning at a point in the southerly sideline of Peckham Road said point being the intersection of the westerly line of Elderberry Drive and said Peckham Road and being the northwesterly corner of the hereinafter described parcel; thence

N 80°51’00” E            One hundred ten and 44/100 (110.44) feet by said Peckham Road to a point; thence

Southwesterly             Along a curve to the left having a radius of thirty (30.00) feet and an arc length of forty nine and 81/100 (49.81) feet to a point; thence S 14°16’30” E             Seven hundred twenty eight and 40/100 (728.40) feet to a point; thence

 

Southwesterly Along a curve to the right having a radius of one hundred fifty (150.00) feet and an arc length of ninety five and 84/100 (95.84) feet to a point; thence S 22°20’00” W  One hundred sixty nine and 24/100 (169.24) feet to a point; thence

 

Southwesterly  Along a curve to the right having a radius of one hundred fifty (150.00) feet and an arc length of one hundred thirty nine and 78/100 (139.78) feet to a point; thence  S 75°43’30” W   Nineteen and 07/100 (19.07) feet to a point; thence

 

Southwesterly             Along a curve to the left having a radius of thirty (30.00) feet and an arc length of forty seven and 12/100 (47.12) feet to a point in the easterly sideline of Blueberry Drive; thence

 

N 14°16’30” W           One hundred ten and 00/100 (110.00) feet by said line of Blueberry Drive to a point; thence

 

Southeasterly              Along a curve to the left having a radius of thirty (30.00) feet and an arc length of forty seven and 12/100 (47.12) feet to a point; thence

 

N 75°43’30” E            Nineteen and 07/100 (19.07) feet to a point; thence

 

Northeasterly              Along a curve to the left having a radius of one hundred (100.00) feet and an arc length of ninety three and 19/100 (93.19) feet to a point; thence

 

N 22°20’00” E            One hundred sixty nine and 24/100 (169.24) feet to a point; thence

 

Northeasterly              Along a curve to the left having a radius of one hundred (100.00) feet and an arc length of sixty three and 89/100 (63.89) feet to a point; thence

 

N 14°16’30” W           Seven hundred thirty eight and 27/100 (738.27) feet to a point; thence

 

Northwesterly             Along a curve to the left having a radius of thirty (30.00) feet and an arc length of forty four and 44/100 (44.44) feet to the point and place of beginning.

 

Said parcel containing one and 37/100 (1.37) acres and being a portion of “Elderberry Drive” as shown on a plan entitled “’Forestdale’ Definitive Subdivision of Land in Acushnet, Massachusetts Prepared for R. J. Realty Trust,” dated August 17, 1977 and recorded with the Bristol County Southern District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 115, Page 8.

 

 

(Submitted by the Board of Selectmen)

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7.  To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the roadway known as Blueberry Drive, as heretofore laid out by the Board of Selectmen in the manner described below, which description is on file at the Town Clerk’s Office, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire on behalf of the Town, by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, interests in property sufficient to use said way for all purposes for which public ways are used in the Town of Acushnet and all associated easements, or take any action relative thereto.

 

Legal Description

Blueberry Drive

 

Beginning at a point in the southerly sideline of Peckham Road said point being the intersection of the westerly line of Blueberry Drive and said Peckham Road and being the northwesterly corner of the hereinafter described parcel; thence N 80°51’00” E One hundred ten and 44/100 (110.44) feet by said Peckham Road to a point; thence

 

Southwesterly Along a curve to the left having a radius of thirty (30.00) feet and an arc length of forty nine and 81/100 (49.81) feet to a point; thence S 14°16’30” E  One thousand nine hundred fifty seven and 71/100 (1957.71) feet to a point; thence

 

Southwesterly Along a curve to the right having a radius of fifty (50.00) feet and an arc length of one hundred thirty two and 01/100 (132.01) feet to a point; thence N 02°21’13” W           Sixty seven and 03/100 (67.03) feet to a point; thence

 

Northeasterly Along a curve to the left having a radius of thirty (30.00) feet and an arc length of fort seven and 12/100 (47.12) feet to a point; thence N 14°16’30” W           One thousand eight hundred ninety six and 03/100 (1896.03) feet to a point; thence

 

Northwesterly Along a curve to the left having a radius of thirty (30.00) feet and an arc length of forty four and 44/100 (44.44) feet to the point and place of beginning.

 

Said parcel containing two and 42/100 (2.42) acres and being a portion of “Blueberry Drive” as shown on a plan entitled “’Forestdale’ Definitive Subdivision of Land in Acushnet, Massachusetts Prepared for R. J. Realty Trust,” dated August 17, 1977 and recorded with the Bristol County Southern District Registry of Deeds in Plan Book 115, Page 8.

 

(Submitted by the Board of Selectmen)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 8.  To see if the Town will vote to reduce the following line items in the Golf Enterprise Fund (6606650) budget, or to take any other action relative thereto.

 

#511300    Salaries -Club House Employees      $25,000

#511500     Salaries -Maintenance Employees     $10,000

#521000     Energy - Operations                          $3,000

#524000     R&M -  Building                               $1,000

#524100     R&M –Equipment                            $3,000

#527000     Rentals & Leases                               $4,000

#530200     Legal Expenses                              $500

#534000     Telephone – Operations                    $1,000

#534400     Advertising/Marketing                        $5,000

#543000     Pro Shop Merchandise                        $11,000

#546000     Seed, Top Dress, Ornamentals           $2,000

#546100     Fertilizer / Wetting Agents                  $5,000

#546200     Pesticides / PGR’s                            $4,000

#549050     Food / Beverage                                  $20,000

#558000     Supplies- Operations                          $3,000

#571000     Travel                                              $500

#573000     Dues / Memberships- Operations      $500

#574100     Dues / Memberships- Maintenance   $500

   #585000     Equipment                                        $45,000

                                                Total Reduction   $144,000

 

(Submitted by Board of Selectmen)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 9.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of One Hundred Twenty Dollars for the payment of an unpaid Building Department bill from a prior year in accordance with Chapter 44, Section 64 of the General Laws, or to take any other action relative thereto.  ($120.00)

 

     (Submitted by the Building Department)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer Two Thousand One Hundred Twenty Two Dollars for the purpose of acquiring and installing computer software for a new data tracking system for the Licensing Program and an Animal Control Module.  This will replace the current program which is now outdated and is no longer updateable, or to take any other action relative thereto.  ($2,122.00)

 

     (Submitted by the Town Clerk)

 

             FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

              (RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or

transfer from available funds Six Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety Five Dollars for the purchase and equipping of a commercial  mower for the Park Department, or to take any other action relative thereto. ($6,795.00)

 

     (Submitted by the Park Commissioners)

 

        FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

            (RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the purpose of making repairs to historical signs placed throughout Town, or to take any other action relative thereto.

 

(Submitted by the Historical Commission)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 13.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing and equipping two (2) police cruisers for the Police Department; that to meet said appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be authorized to borrow said sum under Ch. 44 of the Massachusetts General laws and/or any other enabling authority and issue bonds and notes therefor; or to take any other action relative thereto. ($51,290.00)

 

(Submitted by the Police Department)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 14.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds Eighteen Thousand One Hundred Seventy Six Dollars for the purpose of purchasing radio equipment for the Police Department, including all costs incidental and related thereto, or to take any other action relative thereto.  ($18,176.00)

 

(Submitted by the Police Department)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars for the purpose of purchasing a computer system for the Emergency Management Agency, including all costs incidental and related thereto, or to take any other action relative thereto. ($12,500.00)

 

(Submitted by the Emergency Management Agency)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 16.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow Thirty Two Thousand Dollars for the purpose of purchasing and equipping a command vehicle for the Fire & EMS Department; that to meet said appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be authorized to borrow said sum under Ch. 44 of the Massachusetts General laws and/or any other enabling authority and issue bonds and notes therefor; or to take any other action relative thereto. ($32,000.00)

 

(Submitted by the Fire /EMS Department)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

     (RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)       

 

 

 

ARTICLE 17.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow a sum of money for the purchase or lease/purchase and equipping of a side boom mower; and to authorize the Board of Public Works to enter into a five-year lease/purchase agreement for such mower, or to take any other action relative thereto. ($91,894.00 to purchase or $20,085.00 per year for 5 years to lease)

 

(Submitted by the Board of Public Works)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

       (RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)       

 

 

ARTICLE 18.  To see if the Town with vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or borrow the sum of Sixteen Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars to pay costs of purchasing a two-ton vibratory roller for the Highway Department, including the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto; that to meet said appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be authorized to borrow said sum under Ch. 44 of the Massachusetts General laws and/or any other enabling authority and issue bonds and notes therefor; or to take any other action relative thereto.  ($16,900.00)

 

(Submitted by the Board of Public Works)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

    (RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)       

 

 

ARTICLE 19.  To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Sewer Surplus account a sum of money to Sewer Department line item #6004440-524600 (Maintenance of the System), or to take any other action relative thereto.

 

(Submitted by the Board of Public Works)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

     (RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)       

 

 

ARTICLE 20.  To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate the sum of Forty-Five Thousand Dollars from the Community Preservation Fund, for the preservation, renovation and restoration of the historic Parting Ways building located at 130 Main Street, including but not limited to the repair, removal and installation of new shingles and painting, pursuant to the Community Preservation program, or to take any other action relative thereto. ($45,000.00)

            (Submitted by the Community Preservation Committee)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

ARTICLE 21.  To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars from the Community Preservation Fund for the rehabilitation and re-construction of  the original 10-stall carriage garage at the historic Friends Meeting House at 1341 Main Street, pursuant to the Community Preservation Program, or to take any other action relative thereto. ($25,000.00)

 

            (Submitted by the Community Preservation Committee)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

 (RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 22.  To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars from the Community Preservation Fund to be expended by the Board of Selectmen for the restoration and preservation of the Town’s historic vital records, pursuant to the Community Preservation Program, or to take any action relative thereto.($50,000.00)

 

 (Submitted by the Community Preservation Committee)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

ARTICLE 23.  Conservation Restriction Acquisition – LaPalme Riverside Farm – Blain Street

 

To see if the Town will vote to raise, and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow the sum of $495,000 for the acquisition by gift, purchase, eminent domain or otherwise of a conservation restriction over a parcel of land of approximately 46.6 ± acres owned by the LaPalme Family Nominee Trust as described on Acushnet Assessors Map 24, Lot 145, to be managed and controlled by the Conservation Commission of the Town of Acushnet in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 8C for conservation and passive recreation purposes, and authorize the Board of Selectmen or Conservation Commission to acquire said restriction; to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow said sum pursuant to G.L. c.44,§ 7 and 8 or any other enabling authority and issue bonds or notes therefor; and further that the Board of Selectmen and /or the Conservation Commission be authorized to file on behalf of the town of Acushnet any and all applications deemed necessary under the Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (“Land”) grant program (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 132A, Section 11) or any other sources or applications for funds in any way connected with the scope of this acquisition, and the Board of Selectmen and/or the Conservation Commission be authorized, to enter into all agreements and execute any and all instruments, as may be necessary  on behalf of the Town of Acushnet to affect said purchase; provided, however that no portion of said appropriation shall be borrowed or expended unless the Board of Selectmen has determined that the Town is eligible for reimbursement from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in an amount of not less than $326,700 and that funds are available for the acquisition from other source(s) in an amount of not less than $168,300; or to take any other action relative thereto.

 

(Submitted by the Conservation Commission)

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

ARTICLE 24.  To see if the Town will vote to amend the General By-Laws by inserting a new By-Law entitled, “Unnecessary, Loud, Excessive or Unusual Noise”, as follows:

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons in or about any dwelling, building, premises, shelter, boat or establishment or any part thereof, to cause, between the hours of 10:00PM and 6:00AM any unnecessary, loud, excessive or unusual noises including but not limited to the daily operation of a motor vehicle, equipment or machinery, sound making device, musician or group of musicians, or loud or boisterous noises by any person or group of persons.  Or to take any other action relative thereto.  And further that nonsubstantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw be permitted in order that it be in compliance with the numbering format of the By-Laws of Acushnet.

                                                  (Submitted by the By-Law Review Committee)

 FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

 

 ARTICLE 25.  To see if the Town will vote to amend the General By-Laws by inserting a new By-Law entitled, “Storage or Trailer Box” :Temporary License

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this by-law to the contrary, upon application from the owner or occupier of a parcel of land and payment of such fee as the Board of Selectmen may establish from time to time, the Board may issue a temporary license to place a storage or trailer box, as defined herein, on such property to be used for the temporary storage of personal property for a period not to exceed one year.  Such license may be renewed annually upon reapplication.  All storage or trailer boxes existing on the effective date of this by-law shall be required to be licensed in compliance herewith within two months of the effective date of this by-law

The term “Storage or Trailer Box” is defined for purposes of this by-law as any completely enclosed or covered container of sufficient size to allow walk-in entry by a person, and used for outdoor storage, including but not limited to shipping containers, cargo boxes, truck bodies, and trailers which are or were part of a tractor trailer unit.  This definition shall not include a travel trailer or camping trailer which is a vehicle designed to be used for travel on highways on rubber tired wheels for recreational or residence purposes, is used for recreational purposes, and/or is currently registered with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

 

And further that nonsubstantive changes to the numbering of this bylaw be permitted in order that it be in compliance with the numbering format of the By-Laws of Acushnet.

 Or to take any other action relative thereto.

 

       (Submitted by the By-Law Review Committee)

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:

(RECOMMENDATION FROM THE FLOOR)

 

ARTICLE 26.  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds an amount for the purpose of contributing to a Stabilization Fund in accordance with the provisions of General Laws Chapter 40, Section 5B or take any other action relative thereto.

 

You are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof fifteen (15) days at the least before the time of said meeting as directed by the Board of Selectmen.  Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon at the time and place of said meeting.

Given under our hands this 7th day of October, 2011.

 

 

_____________________

 Kevin Gaspar Sr., Chairman

 

 

  _____________________

    David E. Wojnar, Member

 

  _____________________

      Leslie Dakin Jr., Member

      BOARD OF SELECTMEN

 

 

 

A True Copy Attest:

This 7th day of October, 2011

 

__________________________

Rebekah Tomlinson, Constable


© 2008 - Town of Acushnet, MA - 122 Main Street, Acushnet, MA 02743
Phone:  508.998.0200     Fax:  508.998.0203     E-Mail: 
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