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Date: 11/9/2022
WARE – Ware residents will vote on 14 warrant articles during Special Town Meeting on Nov. 14.
The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Ware High School Auditorium.
Article 1 is a request to appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to unpaid bills from prior fiscal years and to determine the manner of meeting said appropriation, whether by taxation, transfer of available funds or borrowing.
Article 2 is a request to amend or adjust any of the line items of the fiscal year 2023 (FY23) town budget. This includes debt and interest along with determining what sums of money the town will appropriate for any such adjustments or amendments and to determine the manner of meeting said appropriation, whether by transfer from available funds, transfer from other items or appropriations, or borrowing.
Article 3 is a request for the office of the town clerk to remain closed on Saturdays and where the last day of performance of any act in any office falls on a Saturday, the act may be performed on the next succeeding business day.
Article 4 is a request to create the Rural Residential Business Overlay District, as indicated on the map presented during the Planning Board hearing on Nov. 3. This also includes amending Section 3.4, Overlay Districts and Section 4.9, Overlay District Regulations of the zoning bylaws.
Article 5 pertains to altering the district boundary of the Residential Business Zoning District at 256 West St. The property is currently split into two separate zoning districts.
Article 6 is a request to include language in the zoning bylaw prohibiting the use of contaminated sediments and soil as fill material and amending sections 2.2 (Definitions), 4.7 (Prohibited Uses) and 4.9.2 (Aquifer Protection) of the zoning bylaws.
Article 7 is a request to approve the Scenic Road General Bylaw. If approved, this will designate the list of roads in Appendix A as “Scenic Roads,” along with accepting the Scenic Road Map in Appendix B.
Article 8 is a request to change the position of tree warden to an appointed position with a three-year term. Town Manager Stuart Beckley explained that this will allow for the town to be more flexible in hiring and making sure that the appointed person has the necessary qualifications.
Article 9 is a request to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds and/or borrow the sum of $120,000 and authorize the treasurer with the approval of the Select Board to borrow said sum and/or any other enabling authority, for the purpose of planning, designing, improving, renovating and/or equipping, including, but not limited to, irrigation, a reconstructed basketball court with lights and furniture at Memorial Field, 31 Monroe St. The request also includes transferring the care, custody and control of Memorial Park to the Ware Parks Commission and authorizing the Select Board to apply for and accept park grants on behalf of the town.
Article 10 is a request to raise and appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds the sum of $200,000 for the purpose of funding a lead service line inventory and development of a replacement plan. Beckley said the town is applying for this grant which will assist residents in finding out if they have lead pipelines. “In two years, this will become a requirement [by the state]. We are trying to get it paid for through a grant,” he said.
Article 11 is a request to appropriate the sum of $175,000 for the Ware Wastewater Asset Management Project which was submitted to be on the Massachusetts 2023 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Asset Management Planning Project List. If awarded the grant by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the total project cost of $175,000 is comprised of a $105,000 grant – 60 percent of the total project cost – which the town will be reimbursed for in two payments of approximately $52,000 each. The balance of the project will consist of in-kind services provided by the town valued at $35,000 and a cash contribution valued at $35,000. This article will grant authorization to the Select Board and town officers.
Beckley explained that the town needs to do an assessment on the wastewater to make necessary repairs and upgrades. “The grant would pay for the study to be done,” he added.
Article 12 pertains to the Police Department and town offices moving into the former Country Bank building on Main Street. After the Ware Select Board discussed this matter during their Nov. 1 meeting, Beckley said they will be making a motion to dismiss this article. He shared that the costs to upgrade the vacant building for police use is “beyond feasibility” right now.
Article 13 is a request to establish the Opioid Settlement Stabilization Account in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 5B. The Stabilization Fund is being established for the purpose of future expenditures related to opioid recovery.
Lastly, Article 14 is a request to purchase a 10-wheel dump truck for the DPW, and further to raise and appropriate, borrow, or transfer from available funds, a sum of money for the purpose of funding said acquisition and costs incidental or related thereto.