SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
November 7, 2011

The Special Town Meeting convened at 7:33 p.m. in the Bedford High School Auditorium.  A quorum of one hundred and twenty-six registered voters was present.  The Town Clerk read the return of service. The Moderator announced the rules of Town Meeting.  She stated that the Town Meeting is the business meeting of the Town.  Proper decorum must be maintained.  The Moderator recognizes all voters before speaking.  Voters come to the microphone to be recognized. If the voter is not able to stand at the microphone, please notify the Moderator.  The voter gives their name and address when speaking.  A voter may not speak more than twice on a debate. Questions do not fall under that rule.   Time limits need to be respected.  All questions are directed through the Moderator.  Questions need to be within the scope of the motion.  Amendments should be in writing for the Town Clerk and Moderator.   The debate is kept within the scope of the motion.  Questions are directed through the Moderator.  Cable is taping the meeting which will be shown at a later date. Turn off cell phones.  A pink slip is required tonight for hand counts.  If the voter did not receive one at check-in, they need to stop by check-in.

The Moderator named the tellers for the evening:  Lois Chase, Peter Donahue, Rosemary Dyer, and Janet Schimelfenyg.  The Moderator thanked the tellers.

Walter St. Onge presented a tribute to Sheldon Moll (DOD November 5, 2011).  He requested a moment of silence to honor Sheldon.

The Moderator stated that Sue Baldauf will introduce America's Promise to present the award.  The America's Promise representative presented the Selectmen with the award for 100 Best Communities for Young People.

Article 1
Debate Rules

Walter St. Onge made the following motion and the motion was seconded.

Voted, that the Town adopt the following procedure for the current Special Annual Town Meeting:

A.        A speaker presenting an article or amendment to an article shall be limited to ten (10) minutes;

B.         Other speakers shall be limited to five (5) minutes;

C.         No article shall be presented after 10:45 p.m.;

D.        Town Meeting by majority vote may waive A, B, or C;

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Moderator declared motion adopted unanimously.

Article 2
Limited Appropriation to Assist with Drafting of Comprehensive Plan

Margot Fleischman made the following motion and the motion was seconded.

Voted, that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $24,900 to obtain limited consulting services for an update of the Bedford Comprehensive Plan.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Moderator declared this motion adopted.

Article 3
Community Preservation Surcharge - Effective July 1, 2013

Catherine Cordes made the following motion and the motion was seconded.

Voted, that the Town reconfirm a property tax surcharge of three percent (3%) of the taxes assessed annually on real property which shall be dedicated to the Community Preservation Fund, such surcharge to be imposed on taxes assessed for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2012.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Moderator declared motion adopted.

Catherine Cordes presented a brief report on behalf of the Community Preservation Committee.

The Moderator stated Article 4 is similar to the budget article at Annual Town Meeting.  A hold may be placed on any item.

Article 4
Amend Fiscal Year 2012 Community Preservation Budget

Catherine Cordes made the following motion and the motion was seconded.

Voted,  that the Town amend the Fiscal Year 2012 Community Preservation appropriations voted under Article 15 of the 2011 Annual Town Meeting utilizing the available Community Preservation Fund balance unless otherwise specified as follows:

6.    Affordable Housing Consultant - An additional $20,000 for an amended new total of $30,000.

9.    Affordable Housing Reserves - $145,000

10.  New Sidewalks - $200,000

11.  Recreation Reserves - $100,000

12.  Interest for Land Acquisition Fund - $2,445

13.  Interest for Historic Properties Preservation Fund - $4,650

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Moderator declared items 9, 12 and 13 which were not held to be adopted.
Item 6 was adopted.  Item 10 was adopted.  Item 11 was adopted unanimously.

Moderator declared motion adopted.

The Moderator stated that a hold may be placed on any item for Article 5.

Article 5
FY12 Operating Budget Amendments

Michael Seibert made the following motion and the motion was seconded.

Voted, that the Town amend the sums appropriated under Article 19 of the 2011 Annual Town Meeting, Operating Budgets - Fiscal Year 2011, for expenditures by officers, boards, committees, and for the Reserve Fund in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011, by amending the following specified accounts with the following revised amounts:

Account #1301            Insurance & Benefits

Amend by reducing the insurance and benefits budget by $110,000 for a revised Budget amount of $9,787,395.

Account #4000            Public Works

Amend by reducing the Public Works Budget by $35,557 for a revised Budget amount of $9,515,932

Further amend by reducing the MWRA segregation by $35,557 for a revised segregation amount of $2,951,458.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Moderator declared this motion adopted unanimously.

Article 6
Amend Capital Projects Plan - Fiscal Year 2012, Project 12-16

William Moonan made the following motion and the motion was seconded.

Voted, that the vote taken under Article 14 of the 2011 Annual Town Meeting relating to Project 12-16 - Water Main Improvements, is hereby amended, such that the amended vote with respect to Project 12-16 reads as follows:

And further that the Town appropriate the sum of $450,000 for water main or other system improvements, including but not limited to, the Concord Road project referred to under Project 12-16 in the Capital Expenditure Committee's Report to the 2011 Annual Town Meeting, the Shawsheen Well Project, or any other water system improvements; that to meet this appropriation, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen is authorized to borrow $450,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority; and that the Selectmen are authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out the project.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Moderator declared motion adopted unanimously.

Before Town Meeting adjournment, Walter St. Onge  announced the retirement of Town Counsel Michael Lehane.  Michael served the Town for eighteen years.  The voters and the Town thanked Michael Lehane for his service.

Walter St. Onge made a motion to adjourn the Special Town Meeting sine die.  The Moderator declared the motion adopted.  The Special Town Meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM.