Brent's Town Meeting votes - (the balance of) Wednesday

In this final installment, we review my votes from town meeting on Wednesday night.

Article 16 was for an additional $992,000 for the wind turbine to be installed at the wastewater plant in West Falmouth. One year ago, town meeting approved $4 million for this, but every bid was higher.

Given the issues surrounding the high school, Precinct 9 representative Carol Murphy asked some questions about the contractor chosen for this. We learned that the lowest bidder was not chosen because, among other things, they did not yet have a completed project as a reference. Moreover, although the lowest bidder protested to the state, the town prevailed - additional proof that we don't have to accept the lowest bidder (we won a similar protest over the library).

As with the original $4 million, this is a revenue bond, offset by the savings in electricity generation, which will be even higher now that the Net Metering Law passed. This law allows the town to use any excess electricity generated to offset the electricity used at facilities other than the sewer plant at the retail rate (approximately $0.13/kWh). Previously, the offset was at the wholesale rate (something like $0.04/kWh).

I voted "aye" (i.e., yes); the article passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Article 17 was the capital budget.

Aspects of the budget that were discussed included:

1) Precinct 5 representative Bob Young noted that no budget he has ever seen includes building maintenance as a capital item. For the record, Mr. Young is an accountant.

2) A question was asked about $100,000 budgeted for the Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan; this is to complete the study being done by Sterns & Wheeler.

3) Precinct 4 representative and Falmouth Fire & Rescue Chief Paul Brodeur offered an amendment that would have added $22,500 to replace a fire inspection vehicle - a 1999 Ford Contour with 94,000 miles - with a new Ford Escape. My 2000 Saturn has 161,000 miles on it, so I couldn't find it in myself to support this expenditure. I voted "no" and it failed on a voice vote.

4) Precinct 9 representative Joe Netto asked that the word "irrigation" be removed from description for the $36,000 requested for the Sandwich Road ball fields. The irrigation part of this project is funded in with Community Preservation Act funds, so Mr. Netto wanted to keep the two parts separate. I voted "aye" on this amendment; it passed.

5) The expansion of the town marina in Falmouth Harbor was removed from the budget because of a) problems with the bulkhead that will require repairs, b) an appeal of the conservation commission permit for the project to the state Department of Environmental Protection, and c) the need to upgrade the power to the entire marina. This project, which will cost $600,000, will be a revenue bond, funded by the income from the expanded marina.

I voted "aye" to approve the $745,041.00 capital budget; it passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Article 26 would have updated the town's classification plan for certain technical, administrative and management staff positions. However, because of the current bleak budget forecast, the Finance Committee recommended indefinite postponement (a "no" vote). Someone (sorry, I didn't write down who) held it to ask what the potential cost to the town would be if this article and Article 27 passed. The answer was $11,412.72 and $5,722.08.

I voted "aye" for indefinite postponement; it passed (i.e., it failed).

Article 28 will create a Business Systems Manager for the Department of Public Works. While some folks balked at the prospect of funding another position, this was one of many recommendations in the Matrix Study which should help the DPW save money and operate more efficiently as the town grows.

For me, this fell under the "fiscally responsible" part of my campaign platform. I voted "aye"; it passed on a voice vote.

Article 30 gave $20,000 from the Community Preservation Fund to Highfield Hall for the restoration of the ice house. Precinct 6 representative Dan Shearer pointed out the promise to Falmouth that no public money would be used for the restoration of Highfield Hall. This was the second such reqeuest for public funds.

So, I joined Mr. Shearer in opposing this expense. However, it passed on a voice vote.

Article 31 provided $25,000 from the Community Preservation Fund for a shellfish habitat assessment of the Eel River. This money was given under the Open Space category, as the state allows CPA funds to be used to protect open space (and our inland waters are considered open space) from "injury, harm or destruction." This study is part of the ongoing efforts to address the nitrogen problem which is degrading our embayments.

I voted "aye"; it passed unanimously.

Article 39 amended Chapter 199, Article II of the Falmouth Town Code, "Obstructions at Intersections." Basically, it allows the selectmen, after a public hearing, to require property owners to trim or remove obstructions that block a clear view at intersections. While there was some concern about the potential for clear cutting trees, assurances were given that this won't happen.

I voted "aye." The opposition was loud enough to require a standing vote, but at 125 to 66, it passed.


Well, that covers all the bases. Remember that if you have any further questions, concerns or comments, you can reach me in a variety of ways.