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Date: 11/17/2023
WARE — The Ware Town Meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 27 in the Ware High School auditorium.
Of the 15 articles on the warrant released on Oct. 19, the most extensive discusses changes to Grenville Park. This includes utilizing $140,000 to renovate various aspects of the park, such as “walkways, parking, playground equipment and a pavilion,” as described in Article 10 of the warrant. It also states that the park’s control would transfer to Ware Parks Commission and that the Board of Selectmen could accept funds from the PARC Grant Program to assist with the renovations.
Similarly, the warrant includes three articles that request funds for specific locations in town. These are Article 12’s requested purchase of a water-cooling device for Ware Junior Senior High School, Article 13’s request for a lawn mower to use at cemeteries, and Article 14’s requested funds to remove a barn at Aspen Grove Cemetery. All other needed town repairs are included Article 15, which requests funds for general town buildings.
Another discussion at the Town Meeting will be the age maximum for Ware police officers. Described in Article 7, the vote authorizes the Selectboard to petition the General Court to enact a law mandating all police officer candidates to be under age 45 when taking the required exam in order to become certified. This is in addition to the current statewide age minimum of 19 to take the exam, as stated in the Massachusetts General Laws.
Articles 6 and 8 both discuss zoning changes. The first calls for the creation of a rural residential business overlay district near Route 9. The article’s attachments state that this change would encourage development in the area without altering its “rural character.” Article 8 highlights the vote to change King George Drive to a public way.
During the meeting, there will also be four articles discussed that concern financial decisions. Article 3 discusses setting aside money for the town’s Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund, while Article 11 requests funds to create a pay plan and personnel classification. Both assist the town with paying employees. Articles 4 and 5 focus on funds for the stabilization fund and capital stabilization fund respectively, which set aside money to use toward designated projects.
The remaining three articles in the warrant involve general town concerns, including paying bills, finalizing the town budget and capital planning.