The Continuation
of the
TOWN OF
Franklin, SS.
To the Constables of
the Town of
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the Heath Elementary School in said Town of Heath on the 23rd day of June 2007, at 8:45 o’clock in the morning, then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 1: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $4,000.00 from Free Cash to the Vehicle Gas and Oil Account, or take any action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Board of Selectmen
Article 2: To see if the Town will vote to transfer
during FY 2007 the sum of $2,000.00 from Free Cash to the Highway Machine
Maintenance Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 3: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $770.59 from Free Cash to the FICA/Medicare Employers Match Account, or take any action related thereto.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting copies thereof at Sawyer Hall and Peter’s General Store in said Town, fourteen days at least before the time of holding said meeting. Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doing thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid. Given under our hands this the 7th day of June in the year of our Lord, two thousand seven.
TOWN OF
Franklin, SS.
To the Constables of
the Town of
GREETINGS:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the Heath Elementary School in said Town of Heath on the 12th day of May 2007, at 8:30 o’clock in the morning, then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 1: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $1,500.00 from the Accountant Software Account to the Sawyer Hall Maintenance and Utilities Account, or take any action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Board of Selectmen
Article 2: To see if the Town will vote to transfer
during FY 2007 the sum of $500.00 from the Treasurer’s Expense Account and the
sum of $1,170.00 from the Town Nurse Salary Account for a total of $1,670.00 to
the Treasurer’s Tax Taking Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 3: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $3,500.00 from the Gravel Road Management Survey Account and the sum of $1,500.00 for the Dump Transportation Account for a total of $5,000.00 to the Town Garage Maintenance and Utilities Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 4: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $300.00 from the Dump Transportation Account to the Post Office Substitute Salary Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 5: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $27.00 from the Accountant Support Account to the Police Salaries Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 6: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $400.00 from the Treasurer’s Expense Account to the Police Equipment Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $4,000.00 from Free Cash to the Highway Machine Maintenance Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $7,100.00 from Free Cash to the Vehicle Gas and Oil Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $3,500.00 from the Reserve Fund and the sum of $500.00 for a total of $4,000.00 to the Salary Winter Wages Account, or take any action related thereto.
Article 10: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $1,500.00 from the Lawn Mowing Account, the sum of $200.00 from the Lawn Mowing Account, and the sum of $800.00 from Free Cash for a total of $2,500.00 to the Winter Equipment Maintenance Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $2,000.00 from the CW Mars Library Account and $2,000.00 from Free Cash for a total of $4,000.00 to the Winter Sand and Salt Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 12: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $6,000.00 from Free Cash to the Winter Hired Services Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 13: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $200.00 from the Accountant’s Expense Account to the Street Lights Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 14: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $3,285.00 from Free Cash to the Dump Tipping Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 15: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $20.00 from the Accountant Support Account to the Elementary School Debt Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 16: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $500.00 from the Custodian Salary Account to the Interest on Temporary Loans Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 17: To see if the Town will vote to transfer during FY 2007 the sum of $16.00 from the Accountant Support Account to the Warren Pension Fund Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article: 18: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow up to $500,000.00 in Fiscal Year 2007 for debris removal and road repairs due to the storm on April 15 and 16, 2007, or take any action in relation thereto.
Submitted by the
Board of Selectmen (quantum of vote: two/thirds)
Recommended by the Finance Committee
TOWN OF
Franklin, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of
In the name
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and
warn the inhabitants of said town, qualified to vote in elections and in town
affairs, to meet for the purpose of electing officials, by ballot, the polls
will be opened at twelve o’clock in the afternoon and may be closed at seven
o’clock in the evening at Sawyer Hall in Heath on Friday, the Eleventh day of
May, 2007.
SELECTMAN 3 YEARS
BOARD OF ASSESSORS MEMBER 3 YEARS
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER 3 YEARS
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER 2 YEARS
PLANNING BOARD MEMBER 5 YEARS
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER 3 YEARS
LIBRARY TRUSTEE 3 YEARS
LIBRARY TRUSTEE 1 YEAR
DOG OFFICER 1 YEAR
CONSTABLE 1 YEAR
CONSTABLE 1 YEAR
And you are further directed to notify and warn the inhabitants qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at the Heath Elementary School in Heath on Saturday, the Twelfth day of May next, at 9:00 o’clock in the morning, then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 1: To hear the reports of the Town Officers and to act thereon.
Article 2: To choose all necessary officers not elected by ballot for the ensuing year
Article 4: To see if the Town will vote to establish, in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Ch.44, Section 53E ½, a revolving fund for the dog officer for the purpose of depositing receipts and fines received in connection with the regulation and control of dogs by the dog officer for the purpose of paying costs and expenses related thereto. Said sum not to exceed $2,000.00 in FY 2008. Said amount to be expended at the direction of the Dog Officer or the Board of Selectmen, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 5: To see if the Town will vote to establish, in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Ch.44, Section 53E ½, a revolving fund for the Senior Center to deposit receipts received from donations or generated by Senior Center activities and to use the deposits to pay for costs associated with the normal operations of the Senior Center. Said sum not to exceed $1,000.00 in FY 2008. Said funds to be expended by the Senior Center Coordinator or the Board of Selectmen, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 6: To see if the Town will vote to establish one revolving fund in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Ch.44, Section 53E ½, for the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals to deposit receipts received as application fees for hearings related to conservation commission, planning and zoning issues, and to use the deposited receipts to pay for costs associated with the hearings. Expenditures from the fund will be limited to $1,000.00 during the next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007 and ending June 30, 2008. Said funds to be expended by the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, or the Board of Selectmen. The fund is subject to reauthorization at each subsequent annual town meeting with the balance in the account transferring to the general fund revenues if not reauthorized, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to establish, in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. Ch.44, Section 53E ½, a revolving fund for the Board of Health to deposit receipts received from camper/trailer fees and to use the deposits for the purpose of paying costs and expenses related to the permitting and inspection processes. Said sum not to exceed $3,000.00 in FY 2008. Said funds to be expended by the Board of Health or the Board of Selectmen, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $258,794.00 for the Elementary School Construction Debt Payment, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money under the provisions of G.L. c.90 to be expended for roadway improvements and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a contract with Massachusetts Highway Department for such purposes, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Board of Selectmen
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 10: To see if the Town will vote to transfer
$50,000.00 from Free Cash to the General Fund to reduce taxes in Fiscal Year
2008, or take any action related thereto.
Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to transfer a
$30,000.00 from Free Cash to the Stabilization Fund, or take any action related
thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 13: To see if the Town will vote to transfer $3931.95 from the Overlay FY05 Account, $304.92 from the Overlay FY02 Account, and $565.13 from the Overlay FY01 Account, for a total of $4,802.00 to the Overlay Surplus Account, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 14: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the Overlay Surplus Account to the General Fund the sum of $4,802.00 to reduce taxes, or take any action related thereto.
Article 15: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $727,055.00 to be used for payment of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Operating Assessment, or take any other action related thereto.
Article 16: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $26,559.00 to be used for payment of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Capital Assessment, or take any other action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 17: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $87,995.00 to be used for payment of the Franklin County Technical School Operating Assessment, or take any other action related thereto.
Article 18: To see if the Town will vote to amend the AGREEMENT AMONG THE TOWNS OF ASHFIELD, BUCKLAND, CHARLEMONT, COLRAIN, HAWLEY, HEATH, PLAINFIELD, AND SHELBURNE, MASSACHUSETTS WITH RESPECT TO THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT by striking the following language which now appears in the Agreement under subsection (B) of Section III: Pupils:
(B) Pupils Entitled to Attend the Regional
Elementary Schools
Subject to the provisions of this section, it is intended that all residents of the member towns of Ashfield, Buckland, Colrain, Heath, Plainfield, and Shelburne (the “K-12 Member Towns”) in grades kindergarten to six, inclusive, will receive their education in facilities located in the District: Ashfield and Plainfield residents at Sanderson Academy; Colrain residents at the Colrain Central School; Buckland and Shelburne residents at the Buckland-Shelburne Regional School and Heath residents at the Heath Elementary school.
and replacing said language with the following language:
(B) Pupils Entitled to Attend the Regional
Elementary Schools
Subject to the provisions of this
section, it is intended that all residents of the member towns of Ashfield,
Buckland, Colrain, Heath,
Or take any other action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Not recommended by the Board of Selectmen
Not recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 19: To see if the Town will vote to amend the AGREEMENT AMONG THE TOWNS OF ASHFIELD, BUCKLAND, CHARLEMONT, COLRAIN, HAWLEY, HEATH, PLAINFIELD, AND SHELBURNE, MASSACHUSETTS WITH RESPECT TO THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT by striking the following language which now appears in the Agreement under subsection (D) of Section III: Pupils:
(D) Reassignment of Pupils
Residents of the K-12 Member Towns in grades kindergarten through six, may be reassigned to schools outside their respective towns, when, in the judgment of the Committee, there is a temporary need to reassign pupils when damage to a physical plant renders the facility unusable, in whole or in part, for its intended purposes.
Pupils may also be accommodated in other elementary schools within the district when approved by both the pupil’s parents and the Committee provided that the Committee determines that such a reassignment is prudent and can be accomplished and is in the best interest of the pupil.
and replacing said language with the following language:
(D) Reassignment of Pupils
Residents of the K-12 Member Towns in grades kindergarten through six may be reassigned to other schools within the district other than the resident’s original elementary school when approved by the Committee based upon the Committee’s determination of operational, financial, or transportation considerations. Such reassignment will generally occur at the commencement of the school year. Such determination to reassign residents of the K-12 Member Towns in grades kindergarten through six, including the decision to close an elementary school(s), shall be made by a two-thirds weighted vote of the entire School Committee.
In addition, residents of the K-12 Member Towns in grades kindergarten through six, may be reassigned to schools other than the resident’s original elementary school, when, in the judgment of the Committee, there is a temporary or permanent need to reassign pupils when damage to a physical plant renders the facility unusable, in whole or in part, for its intended purposes.
Pupils may also be accommodated in other elementary schools within the district when approved by both the pupil’s parents and the Committee provided that the Committee determines that such a reassignment is prudent and can be accomplished and is in the best interest of the pupil.
Or take any other action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Not recommended by the Board of Selectmen
Not recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 20: To see if the Town will vote to amend the AGREEMENT AMONG THE TOWNS OF ASHFIELD, BUCKLAND, CHARLEMONT, COLRAIN, HAWLEY, HEATH, PLAINFIELD, AND SHELBURNE, MASSACHUSETTS WITH RESPECT TO THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT by adding the following language to subsection E(4) under Section IV: Apportionment of Expenses Among the Member Towns:
The member towns will amend this Agreement and modify and/or alter the above designated schedules of apportionment of capital costs in the event subsequent elementary school closure(s) and/or changes in transportation routes result in a change of grade level or pupil assignments to the District schools. Said amendment, modification and/or alteration will occur regardless of whether the bond is held by the District, an individual town or a group of towns.
Or take any other action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Not recommended by the Selectmen
Not recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 21: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Mohawk Trail Regional School District AGREEMENT AMONG THE TOWNS OF ASHFIELD, BUCKLAND, CHARLEMONT, COLRAIN, HAWLEY, HEATH, PLAINFIELD, AND SHELBURNE, MASSACHUSETTS WITH RESPECT TO THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT by adding the following language:
This is a
proposed change to the
Determination of
responsibility for state payments of school building debt on closed schools
1. The School Committee and Superintendent will seek legislation guaranteeing that, in the event that a school is closed, the MSBA will continue paying its designated share.
2. In the event that such legislation or assurance is not obtained, the district will take no action to close any district school.
Closing a school
Assignment of costs
attached to a closed elementary school building
Withdrawing from the
district
Review of district
costs and town assessments
Or take any other action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Article 22: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Mohawk Trail Regional School District AGREEMENT AMONG THE TOWNS OF ASHFIELD, BUCKLAND, CHARLEMONT, COLRAIN, HAWLEY, HEATH, PLAINFIELD, AND SHELBURNE, MASSACHUSETTS WITH RESPECT TO THE FORMATION OF A REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT by adding the following language:
Ensuring continuity
at each elementary school
The district shall, to the best of its ability, negotiate with the
teachers’ union to establish a policy of building-based seniority.
Or take any other action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Article 23: To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Town Clerk to send notice to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and to our local Representative and Senator that the Town of Heath has voted the following resolution regarding funding of our local schools.
Whereas:
Ø Our school districts and municipalities are facing a funding crisis due to decreasing state aid for K-12 education in conjunction with an exponential rise in “fixed” costs such as health insurance, retirement, special education, transportation, and heating which far outpace inflation;
Ø Funding formulas do not take into account the unique needs of sparsely populated districts, small schools, or schools with enrollment decline;
Ø The burden of funding the schools has increasingly shifted from the state to local towns – 82% of increased education costs statewide over the last five years. Our towns can no longer fund both town departments and our schools adequately;
Ø Cuts to school and town budgets are resulting in loss of faith in our schools leading to families moving away or opting for private, charter, and homeschool options – supporting a spiral of further enrollment, and subsequent aid decline;
Ø Our towns are no longer able to make up the shortfall, facing potential bankruptcy; our citizens can no longer afford overrides and the schools cannot sustain continued cuts;
We Therefore:
Appeal to our Legislators and Governor to:
Ø Restore the Pothole Grants for FY08 to an amount at least equal to FY07 amounts adjusted for inflation; incorporate the criteria detailed in the RED Circuit Breaker as new eligibility language in the FY 2008 Pothole Program;
Ø Advance the RED Circuit Breaker for FY09;
Ø Provide needed education funding and municipal relief for our towns and schools for Fiscal Year 2008;
Ø Create a foundation base-variable reflecting the actual costs of operating our schools and educating our children adequately in both rural and urban districts;
Ø Hold Chapter 188 funding harmless to FY06, allow eligibility for CPC funding to within 85% of median income level to save our excellent part-time preschools that are at risk of closure if Chapter 188 is not held harmless. Support universal pre-kindergarten for partial and full-day programs;
Ø Lower the Special Education Circuit Breaker to 3X the foundation to make transportation costs eligible for reimbursement.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 24: To
see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,500.00 to be used for the
restoration and maintenance of Whittemore Spring, or take
any action related thereto.
Article 25: To see if the Town will vote to approve the appointment by the Board of Assessors of one of its members to a part-time clerk position under its supervision in accordance with MGL Chapter 268A, § 21A, and to set the salary for that position in accordance with the provisions of G.L.c. 41, §4A,or take any action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Board of Assessors
Article 26: To
see if the Town will vote to approve the appointment by the Board of Health of
one of its members to the position of clerk of the Board of Health under the supervision
of the Board of Health in accordance with the provisions of G.L. Chapter 268A,
§ 21A, and to set the salary for that position in accordance with the
provisions of G.L. Chapter 41, § 4A, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the
Board of Selectmen
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 27: To see if the Town will vote in accordance with M.G.L. c40 s4A to authorize the Heath Board of Selectmen and the Heath Board of Health to enter into an inter municipal agreement with one or more other governmental units to provide public health, public works, and general government administration services which the Board of Health, Department of Public Works, and other administrative bodies in town are authorized to perform, in accordance with an Inter Municipal Mutual Aid Agreement to be entered between the Town and various governmental units, or take any action related thereto.
Submitted by the
Article 28: To
see if the Town will vote to amend the Heath Protective Zoning Bylaws, by
adding section 6.4 SMALL WIND ENERGY
SYSTEMS, ALSO KNOWN AS WINDMILLS AND WIND TURBINES as on file in
substantial form with the Town Clerk, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 29: To see if the Town will vote to amend the Heath Protective Zoning Bylaws as follows:
(a) by moving certain provisions from the Definitions – Section 9, regarding Accessory Apartment, Campground, and Cottage Industry to the Use Regulations – Section 4.2, Residential – Accessory Apartment, Residential – Campground, Accessory – Cottage Industry;
(b) by moving certain provisions from the Definitions – Section 9 regarding Sign Area to Sign Regulations – Section 4.6.1;
(c) by amending Definitions – Section 9, regarding Building Height, Storage Shed and Travel Trailer, Camp Trailer or Motor Home; and Use Regulations – Section 4.2 regarding Residential – Duplex and Multi-family dwellings, Storage Shed, Travel Trailer, Camping Trailer or Motor Home;
(d) by amending Section 5 – Intensity Regulations, Section 5.1, by adding the phrase “building and/or” before the word “structure” in the first line and adding the following new second sentence: “Dimensional requirements shall apply to all accessory uses;”
(e) by amending Section 4.10.3 – Camper/Trailer Regulations, by deleting the word “Building” and replacing it with the word “Electrical” in the third sentence;
(f) by amending Use Regulations – Section 4.2, Accessory Uses, by adding a provision regarding wind energy conversion system for residential use;
as shown in bold type on the handout provided at the Town Meeting and as on file in substantial form with the Town Clerk, or take any action related thereto.
Recommended by the Finance Committee
Article 30: To see if the Town will vote to accept and approve the petitioned resolution regarding the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney, as attached hereto and on file with the Town Clerk, or take any action in related thereto.
Submitted
by citizens’ petition.
Not within the purview of the Board of Selectmen
Article 31: To see if there is any other business for discussion to come before the Town Meeting, or take any action related thereto.