Town Meeting Complete - Budget Passed

With over 300 registered voters in attendance, the town meeting was completed in a single night. A $69 million budget was passed for fiscal year 2010, starting July 1, 2009.

New Town Moderator, Wayne Perkins, called the meeting to order promptly at 7:00 PM with an invocation by Father Crowley and a prayer for the congregants of the Congregational Church which sustained heavy fire damage on Memorial Day. The Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem were also offered then recognition of a resident who was acknowledged for reaching 100 years of age.

Two plaques for service were offered to the two former selectmen then Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting was taken up.

Article 9, was a petition article by retirees of the community attempting to compel the town to keep retirees benefit contribution at the 90-10. The selectmen had previously voted to move the split to 80-20 in keeping with all of the other general government contracts. After attempts to add wording to the article and also end discussion was defeated, everyone was allowed to air their thoughts. Article 9 passed.

Other than the retiree benefits non-binding Article 9 discussion, the special town meeting went off without a hitch.

The Annual Town Meeting started at about 8:45 PM and the budget was presented. The Finance Committee offered a change with an additional $500,000 to the school than was presented in the printed budget book. Also, the Town Meeting nearly unanimously added an additional $385,000 on top of, but still less than the school committee requested originally.

At about 11:30 PM the final article was offered to the body. Passed was a bylaw which allows the imposition of a $300 fine for the smoking of marijuana in public.

Town Meeting Roundup:

• FY2010 Budget: $69,479,910.80
• Four remaining general government contracts (total of 7) ratified
• $350,000 voted for aged water main repair
• $42,000 approved to clean up an oil leak
• Expedited permitting (43D) approved at Middleborough Park at 495
• A revised Industrial Zone was authorized to allow use by special permit
• A $300 fine for smoking marijuana bylaw was approved

(Editorial)
It was a pleasure to attend Town Meeting without having to wait for the 150th person to enter the room or worse, having to postpone Town Meeting due to a lack of quorum.