Georgetown Board of Selectmen
Monday March 11, 2024
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Amy Smith, the Board of Selectmen Chair, announced that the Affordable Housing Trust has obtained state approval to list an affordable two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath condo at 201 Central Street, Unit 12 for sale, with the lottery opening today for 60 days. For further details, Diana Toomey, the affordable housing coordinator, can be contacted at town hall or through the town website. An information session on this lottery will be conducted via Zoom on April 8th. Additionally, the Trust received state approval for listing another affordable housing option—a two-bedroom, one-bath single-family home on Larch Road, with its lottery opening announcement expected soon.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Community Events Walk
Michelle Olsen represented a Georgetown community group at a public hearing, detailing their initiative, Walk by Moonlight, which began with a micro grant from the Awesome Foundation. Since its inception in April of the previous year, the group has organized monthly community events, starting with their first successful event in September that attracted over 150 attendees and support from more than 50 local businesses and organizations. The initiative aims to continue enhancing community engagement with four planned events throughout the summer months, featuring activities like scavenger hunts and a cookie crawl. These events, set to take place on private property along East and West Main, encourage community involvement without requiring road closures. Olsen sought the select board's support, emphasizing the initiative's role in fostering local business patronage and community participation during an election year. The group, which regularly sees 10-15 participants, coordinates efforts to support local charities, including a fundraiser for the Georgetown PPD Library. Olsen encouraged broader community involvement in their upcoming meetings and activities, highlighting the initiative's benefits for both local businesses and the Georgetown community at large.
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NEW BUSINESS: Proposition 2.5 Override discussion
In this section, the select board discusses a proposed permanent tax levy override recommended by the finance advisory committee. The discussion points include the differences between a debt exclusion and a permanent override, the accuracy of the proposed budget numbers, concerns about the financial impact on residents, particularly seniors living on fixed incomes, and the implications of the override for future town budgets. Members express concerns about the potential for the override to cause significant tax increases for residents, especially in light of recent assessment-driven tax hikes, without having final numbers on some budget items and the impact of diminishing cannabis revenue. The conversation highlights the difficulty of balancing the town's financial needs with the potential burden on taxpayers, indicating the select board's intent to engage the community and ensure residents understand the implications of the decisions being made.
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NEW BUSINESS: Public Relation Proposal
The public hearing delves into discussions around a communications proposal aimed at improving town-wide communications following the realization of the absence of local media outlets. Hoover proposes hiring John Guilfoil Public Relations LLC to manage PR and create a microsite dedicated to the town's annual budget and potential override, emphasizing the urgency due to upcoming deadlines. The cost breakdown includes $7,200 for ongoing communication efforts and a one-time $5,000 fee for the microsite. Policymakers express concerns over ensuring the override vote's information reaches residents effectively, given the tight timeline. The conversation shifts to broader issues facing the town, such as financial deficits and the allocation of funds, particularly regarding public safety and education budgets. Participants discuss the complexities of budgeting in the absence of finalized state funding figures and the challenges of aligning town and school budget processes. Despite uncertainties, there's an acknowledgment of the need for better communication to facilitate informed community decisions, especially concerning the override vote. The need for clear, direct information dissemination is highlighted as critical for overcoming the current communication barriers within the town.
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VOTES BY THE BOARD: • Annual Town Meeting Warrant / discussion / Possible vote/ Open/Close warrant
The discussion delves into the items listed on the annual town meeting warrant, with emphasis on the ambiguity surrounding an article about the municipal light department’s operation, highlighting its long-standing inclusion without clear purpose. Questions arise about who initiated its placement and the possibility of removing it to streamline the meeting process. Further topics cover the creation of a new revolving fund by the Council on Aging for trip funding, amendments proposed for veteran property tax exemptions, the introduction of a right to farm bylaw and an agricultural commission, fee adjustments for fire alarms, and potential zoning bylaws related to state mandates on housing density. Conversation also touches on concerns over insufficient information and language for warrant articles, the complexity of coordinating with state laws, and the logistics of legal processes such as road acceptances. Additionally, there's consideration given to a noise/construction bylaw to designate quiet hours, specifically on Sundays, and discussions on how to comply with state zoning requirements without necessarily aligning with the state's densification goals.
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MINUTES & WARRANTS: Approval of meeting minutes from January 8, 2024
During the meeting, Smith called for a motion to accept the meeting minutes from January 8, which was moved, seconded, and unanimously agreed upon without discussion. Smith then inquired about any needed changes to the February 12th meeting minutes, to which Pacheco pointed out a typo in the January 8th minutes under the town administrator's report, indicating that "NEMA" was incorrectly noted, and Smith acknowledged the error for correction.
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MINUTES & WARRANTS: Approval of meeting minutes from February 12, 2024
The motion to approve the meeting minutes from February 12th was put forward, with three members voting in favor and one member, Moe, abstaining. The motion was successfully approved.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT: Approval dates for meetings for the Month of April & May
In this section, Smith discusses setting up meeting dates for April and May, noting the need for adjustments due to a solar eclipse, elections, and Memorial Day. April meetings are scheduled for the 2nd, 4th, 8th (during which Smith will participate via Zoom due to being in Buffalo for the eclipse), and the 22nd. May meetings will adapt to the calendar, with gatherings planned for the 6th and the 20th, the latter marking the first meeting of the new board. The 13th is noted for town elections and the 27th for Memorial Day. Additionally, Smith mentions an upcoming Financial Committee (FinCom) meeting on March 20th focused on budget issues and highlights the school's participation in this meeting. Smith also reminds everyone of the next scheduled meeting on March 25th.
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Chapter 90 Allocation
During the town administrator's report, the discussion centered around the town's recent receipt of its FY 25 Chapter 90 allotment, which is used for the maintenance of roadways and sidewalks. The potential acceptance of additional roads was tied to increasing the allotment, although it was unclear which specific roads were currently maintained by the town and to what extent. Questions were raised about whether certain roads were paved and if they were included in the Chapter 90 funding, notably if state roads maintained by the town also contributed to the allotment. It was clarified that state roads do indeed contribute, and the specific amount of the Chapter 90 allotment for fiscal year 25 was revealed to be $306,937.96, excluding additional funding from the "millionaire's tax." It was also mentioned that a plan would be put together for the spending of these funds, which would then need to be submitted to MassDOT for reimbursement to avoid financial issues.
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: MBTA Community Zoning Public Hearing
The planning board has scheduled a public hearing regarding the MBTA zoning for March 27th at 7:00 PM, which will be conducted via Zoom. Copies of the hearing notice and the multifamily overlay district map will be available, with the latter also being presented in a larger format for clarity. The hearing is open to all, allowing for public attendance and participation. There's an emphasis on clarifying that this initiative, focused on zoning related to the MBTA Communities, is more about compliance with state directives rather than being a planning board-driven initiative. This distinction aims to set the correct context for public engagement and understanding. The upcoming hearing and its details will also be publicized on the website, ensuring community members are well-informed and encouraged to participate.
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Town Planner Advertisement
In this segment, Pacheco discusses the process of receiving resumes for John Cashel's vacant position and the determination of the associated salary, mentioning the chairman's role in setting it without much discussion. Questions from Hoover and LaMonica reveal curiosity about the criteria for the salary figure, to which Pacheco explains a general adherence to notices sent by the planning board, and additional procedures during the onboarding process. Mention of Cashel's farewell party and his vacation to Whistler Mountain in Canada, with photos sent to Pacheco, also comes up.
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Community Preservation Committee recommended Projects
In the discussion, Pacheco mentions that the Community Preservation Commission has provided a list of recommended projects, emphasizing a focus on necessary projects over luxury ones. LaMonica and Bancroft add that these projects will have specified dollar amounts detailed in the warrant and mention an upcoming public meeting for presenting these projects to the community. There's some confusion about the date and location of the public meeting, as Raspa points to a scheduling conflict in the chosen room. Smith seems unsure about the exact date but believes it's set for April 2nd, a date that others confirm might be correct. The conversation circles around ensuring the community is well-informed about the projects and their costs, with Bancroft noting that this meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn what will be included in the warrant, all funded by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds. Raspa expresses concern about a potential space conflict for the meeting, but there's an assurance that the date is likely correct, notwithstanding the need to resolve the room scheduling issue.
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT: Senior Center Behavior Expectations Policy.
Pacheco addressed the board regarding challenges at the senior center, mentioning difficult interactions with some attendees. A behavior expectations policy has been crafted by the COA board and director to ensure that everyone adheres to certain standards, with consequences for non-compliance. No dramatic incidents were reported, but there has been growing staff anxiety. The policy aims to provide a safe environment for all, recognizing that some behavioral issues may stem from mental health concerns. Various solutions, including alternative locations and resources such as a social worker, have been employed to address individual needs. The policy has not yet been reviewed by the town council, but Pacheco sought the select board's input before proceeding.
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PUBLIC COMMENT:
Andrea, a resident and member of the Conservation Commission (ConCom), raised concerns about ongoing false narratives accusing the conservation sector of payroll fraud and misconduct, despite a 2018 town council report clearing past allegations. Pacheco countered Andrea's statements, pointing out inaccuracies and clarifying that the investigation did not address payroll fraud but found existing documentation practices sufficient. Andrea expressed a desire to move past these allegations, emphasizing the ethical nature of the ConCom members and their dedication to serving the community. The conversation shifted toward procedural issues regarding speaking as a resident versus a commission member, with officials reminding Andrea of the need for formal requests to address commission-related topics in public hearings. The dialogue highlighted the challenges of addressing community concerns and misinformation within the formal structures of town governance.
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ADJOURNMENT
The section concludes a public hearing where, following a motion to adjourn and a brief check on the member's feelings, a second motion is made. Agreement is quickly reached with members expressing their assent unanimously, marking the end of the session.
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