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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-12 Subsequent Town Meeting MinutesSUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Virtual Town Meeting November 12, 2020 via Zoom Webinar The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Alan E. Foulds, at 7:32 PM, there being a quorum present. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was said by all. The Moderator made the following announcement - Before we begin I have a brief statement to make: Obviously, because of the pandemic, we have had to operate Town Meeting differently. As Moderator it has been my goal to keep operations as close as possible to the way it works when we meet in person, knowing full well that it is impossible to replicate it exactly. The inevitable differences have caused understandable variations in philosophy. Chief among them has been ROLL -CALL VOTING. In June, the Webinar software captured individual votes. Many members feel that the process effectively turned every vote into a ROLL -CALL VOTE, despite the fact that our bylaws stipulate that ROLL -CALLS are only taken when requested by 20 or more members. For this meeting it was decided to turn off the ability to capture every vote and take a ROLL -CALL only when properly requested, as we do at an in-person meeting. With that position, some members felt that transparency was lost since, in a virtual setting, members cannot look around the room to see how everyone voted. Keep in mind that an in-person meeting does not have recorded votes, except for ROLL -CALLS, which are historically rare. Additionally, some members have felt that the recording of the votes in June gave those on social media the ability to harass members for the decisions that they have made at town meeting. This chair does not presume to infringe on anybody's right of free speech - especially outside of this meeting - but I appeal to all members to tone things down a bit. Accept that there are usually two sides to every issue, and not to make assumptions as to why people vote the way they do. Remember, we are all still neighbors, and this is a community. For this meeting it is too late to change the procedure, and we don't have an agreed-upon solution that will pass legal muster. Before the next meeting we will examine the situation to determine if there is a common ground. Please keep in mind, however, that we all hope that this is a temporary situation, and eventually we will all be meeting together again. The issue will go away. Therefore, I ask for everyone's patience. Now, for tonight's meeting, here's how we will proceed: First up is Article 13 which the proponents plan to ask for indefinite postponement. Next, we return to Article 2 where we will have two instructional motions. Once taken care of we will adjourn sine die. ARTICLE 13: Motion made by the Select Board to indefinitely postpone the subject matter. Counted Vote 151 in the affirmative 3 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion to Indefinitely Postpone Carried ARTICLE 2: Motion made by the Select Board to choose all other necessary Town Officers and Special Committees and determine what instructions shall be given Town Officers and Special Committees, SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Virtual Town Meeting November 12, 2020 via Zoom Webinar and to see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate by borrowing or transfer from available funds, or otherwise, for the purpose of funding Town Officers and Special Committees to carry out the instructions given to them, or take any other action with respect thereto. Instructional Motion 1 — Open Space Motion made by Mary Ellen O'Neill, Precinct 4 In order to limit the increasing impacts of massive downtown buildings and provide for pocket parks, pathways, and other open space options downtown, Town Meeting recommend thatthe Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) and town planning staff to submit to the 2021 Annual Town Meeting an article that changes the lot coverage maximum in the 40R downtown overlay district from 100% to 85%, consistent with the underlying Business B lot coverage and that CPDC not approve any additional 40R developments in this district until Town Meeting has had the opportunity to review 40R amendments this spring. Motion made by Jonathan Barnes, Precinct 5 to amend as follows: In order to limit the increasing impacts of massive downtown buildings and provide for pocket parks, pathways, and other open space options downtown, Town Meeting recommend thatthe Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) and town planning staff to submit to the 2021 Annual Town Meeting an article that changes the lot coverage maximum in the 40R downtown overlay district from 100% to 85%, consistent with the underlying Business B lot coverage and that CPDC net approve any additienal 40 deyelepments discourage applications that do not include pocket parks or other open space in this district until Town Meeting has had the opportunity to review 40R amendments this spring. Motion to move the question of the amendment made by Jamie Maughan, Precinct 4 2/3rd Vote Required 137 in the affirmative 19 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion to Move Ouestion of Amendment Carried After some discussion a vote was taken on the Amendment Counted Vote 110 in the affirmative 41 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion to Amend Carried 21 Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Virtual Town Meeting November 12, 2020 via Zoom Webinar Motion to move the question made by Joe Carnahan, Precinct 6 2/3rd Vote Required 131 in the affirmative 23 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion to Move Ouestion Carried After some discussion a vote was taken Counted Vote 119 in the affirmative 39 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion Carried as Amended Instructional Motion 2 — Short Term Rentals Motion made by Phil Pacino, Precinct 5 To instruct the Select Board in conjunction with the Community Planning and Development Commission and the Board of Health to develop rules and regulations related to short term rentals for non -owner -occupied property. Such rules and regulations should address short term rentals such as Airbnb and VRDO. Such changes should involve occupancy requirements, health and safety inspections, a violation, complaint and appeal process and fee requirements. Motion to Amend made by Barry Berman, Precinct 4 To instruct the Select Board in conjunction with the Community Planning and Development Commission and the Board of Health to develop rules and regulations related to short term rentals non -owner -occupied property. Such rules and regulations should address short term rentals such as Airbnb and VRDO. Such changes should involve occupancy requirements, health and safety inspections, a violation, complaint and appeal process and fee requirements. To also encourage the Town to monitor and collect any related fees or taxes. Motion to move the question of the amendment made by Laura Joelson, Precinct 5 Counted Vote 137 in the affirmative 10 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion to Move Ouestion of Amendment Carried 3l Page SUBSEQUENT TOWN MEETING Virtual Town Meeting November 12, 2020 via Zoom Webinar After some discussion a vote was taken on the Amendment Counted Vote 105 in the affirmative 47 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion to Amend Carried Motion to move the main question made by Laura Joelson, Precinct 5 Counted Vote 140 in the affirmative 10 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion to Move Ouestion Carried After some discussion a vote was taken Counted Vote 117 in the affirmative 35 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion Carried as Amended Anne Landry, Select Board moved to adjourn the 2020 Subsequent Town Meeting adjourn sine die at 9:42 PM with 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in attendance. Counted Vote 148 in the affirmative 1 in the negative 163 Town Meeting Members remotely in Attendance Motion Carried A true copy Attest: Laura A Gemme, CMC /CMMC Town Clerk