Winchester Town Managers Fall Town Meeting 2024 Public Hearing 10-30-24

Updated 1 day ago

The session reviews various warrant articles, starting with a proposal to transfer a property to the Winchester Affordable Housing Trust for affordable housing development. This article involves a long-standing effort to acquire and designate the property for such purposes. The meeting also addresses the Climate Action Advisory Committee's proposal to adopt a specialized energy code aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the session discusses major town projects, including HVAC repairs, school security upgrades, and infrastructure improvements, with funding from stabilization funds and state grants. Notably, there is a focus on the repairs needed at the Winchester High School related to concrete deterioration and the gymnasium floor replacement project. The meeting concludes with discussions on implementing term limits for certain elected positions and updates to town bylaws to remove gendered language. These deliberations provide insights into the town's priorities and ongoing initiatives.

Chapters

Public Hearing (00:00:02)
A public hearing on the fall time article was conducted to discuss upcoming warrant articles.

The meeting includes a manager hearing on the fall time article, where each of the warrant articles will be reviewed, and attendees can ask questions about them.
Welcome (00:00:07)
The meeting began with a welcome and instructions for participation, including using Zoom features for questions.

The meeting started with the manager welcoming participants and explaining how the Zoom webinar is being managed. Attendees were instructed on how to enter questions using the Q&A feature or by raising their hand.
Call to Order (00:00:08)
The meeting was officially called to order, signaling the beginning of the proceedings.

The meeting was officially called to order, marking the start of the official proceedings.
Article 1: Board and Committee Reports (00:01:33)
Standard article for hearing reports from various boards and committees, typically straightforward.

Article one of the fall town meeting involves hearing reports from boards and committees, which is typically a straightforward process.
Article 2: Planning Board Report (00:01:41)
Standard article for hearing the report from the Planning Board, a routine part of meetings.

Article two involves hearing the report from the Planning Board, which is a standard part of the meeting.
Article 3: Consent Agenda Item (00:01:48)
Article in the consent agenda related to missed town meeting sessions, proposed to be postponed.

Article three is part of the consent agenda, related to individuals who may have missed town meeting sessions. It is proposed to be indefinitely postponed as there are no applicable cases this fall.
Article 4: Affordable Housing Property Conveyance (00:02:12)
Proposal to convey property to Winchester Affordable Housing Trust for affordable housing use.

Article four proposes that the town convey the care, custody, control, and ownership of a property to the Winchester Affordable Housing Trust, restricting its use for affordable housing purposes. The select board has been working on this for years.
Articles 5-8: Planning Board Public Hearing (00:03:35)
Articles discussed at the Planning Board public hearing are linked for further review.

Articles five to eight were discussed in detail during the Planning Board's public hearing on the previous evening. A link to the discussion is provided for those interested.
Article 9: Specialized Energy Code (00:04:02)
Proposal to adopt a specialized energy code to regulate building design for energy efficiency.

Article nine is being brought forward by the Climate Action Advisory Committee and the select board. It proposes adopting a specialized energy code to regulate the design and construction of buildings for effective energy use and greenhouse gas reduction.
Budget and Financial Reports (00:06:01)
Discussion on various capital and budget items, including free cash and funding requests.

The meeting includes detailed discussions on capital projects and budget items, including the use of free cash and funding requests for various town and school projects.
Committee Reports (00:06:08)
Reports from committees such as the Capital Planning Committee are presented and discussed.

Committee reports, including those from the Capital Planning Committee, are presented, covering ongoing and future projects and financial needs.
Article 10: Capital Projects Vote (00:07:52)
Voting on several capital projects, including repairs and new equipment purchases.

Article 10 involves voting on a series of capital projects, which include funding requests for town hall repairs, school district access controls, and equipment purchases for the Department of Public Works.
Article 11: Roof Repairs and Renovations (00:19:14)
Funding for roof repairs and renovations at town hall, library, and schools is discussed.

This article proposes funding for roof repairs and renovations at the town hall, library, and schools, including administrative services and engineering for the projects.
Article 12: Winchester High School Concrete Repairs (00:26:20)
Funding for repair and remediation of concrete deterioration at Winchester High School.

Article 12 seeks funding for the repair and remediation of concrete deterioration at Winchester High School, addressing both subsurface and surface issues.
Article 13: Water Quality Issues Investigation (00:32:37)
Funding for design and engineering to investigate water quality issues on Cambridge Street.

This article seeks funding to design, engineer, and investigate water quality issues in the water system located on Cambridge Street and surrounding neighborhoods.
Article 14: Sewer System Infiltration and Inflow Reduction (00:34:43)
Article to continue work on reducing infiltration and inflow in the town's sewer system.

Article 14 proposes funding to continue work on reducing infiltration and inflow in the town's sewer system, focusing on the east side of town.
Funding Authorization for Local Projects (00:35:38)
Discussion on funding available from the MW and MD debris for local projects.

Discussion on funding available from the MW. The town of Winchester has utilized funding from the MD debris over the past years for local projects. The current project is specifically funded by the M D R w R programs. Questions were invited from attendees.
Winchester High School Gymnasium Floor Replacement (00:37:13)
Discussion on the need for additional funding due to higher-than-expected bid results for gym floor replacement.

Discussion led by the E F P B C and the select board regarding the need to replace the floor in the Winchester High School gymnasium. The bids for this project came in higher than expected, necessitating additional funding. Chris Nixon from the E F P B C explained the situation and the support from local associations.
Local Water System Assistance Program (LWSAP) (00:40:27)
Authorization sought for borrowing under the Denbury program for water quality projects.

Discussion on the funding available from the MW for the Local Water System Assistance Program (LWSAP). The town seeks authorization to borrow through the Denbury program to fund various water quality projects. If the funding is not used, it will be lost.
Bylaw Amendment Regarding Finance Committee Membership (00:42:20)
Proposal to clarify bylaw allowing Finance Committee members to serve on other committees.

Michelle Pryor proposed an amendment to clarify that Finance Committee members can serve on other committees if permitted by town meeting vote or bylaw, addressing a conflict in bylaw interpretation about holding town office.
Citizen's Petition on Historic Preservation (00:46:03)
Petition to notify abutters of residential demolitions and protect boundary trees.

Cynthia Pocito presented a citizen's petition to extend notification of demolition to residential abutters and require builders to mitigate damage to boundary trees during construction.
Term Limits for Elected Positions (00:49:39)
Proposal to implement term limits to encourage more participation in elections.

Shamus Brady proposed term limits for several elected positions to encourage more citizens to run for office and bring fresh ideas, noting the difficulty of defeating incumbents.
Removal of Gendered Pronouns from Town Bylaws (00:58:38)
Proposal to replace gendered pronouns in town bylaws with gender-neutral language.

The Committee on Government Regulations proposed to remove gendered pronouns from the town's code of bylaws and replace them with specific titles or gender-neutral language.
Transfer of Parking Meter Funds (01:00:59)
Annual transfer of funds from parking meters to cover parking-related expenses.

Standard annual article to transfer funds from parking meter revenue to the town center parking account and the Wedge Mir parking account to cover associated expenses, including a cost-sharing agreement with DCR.
Healthcare Stabilization Fund Transfer (01:02:01)
Proposal to transfer free cash into the healthcare stabilization fund for future needs.

Proposal to transfer free cash into the healthcare and health insurance stabilization fund, aiming to stabilize future health insurance costs for the town.
Budget Adjustments and Transfers (01:04:05)
Annual adjustments to balance the town's budget and fund unmet needs.

Annual article to adjust the town's budget for unmet needs. Current motions include transferring funds for IT to complete delayed projects and for the school lunch fund.
Recreation Department Budget Adjustment (01:09:07)
Adjustment to recreation department budget using retained earnings.

Proposal to adjust the recreation department's budget for the fiscal year by reducing expenses and using retained earnings, in accordance with Department of Revenue guidelines.
Discussion on Utility Bill and DPW (01:11:36)
Discussion about a previously postponed article related to a utility bill for the DPW that will now be addressed.

There was a discussion about a prior bill from the utility to the Department of Public Works (DPW) that was initially planned to be indefinitely postponed. However, it was discovered that the bill needed to be addressed, so the article is no longer postponed.
Police Patrol Union Contract Settlement (01:12:23)
The town settled a contract with the police patrol union, the last union to settle in the current cycle.

The town has reached a settlement with the police patrol union, finalizing a contract for the current cycle. Several motions are related to this, including accepting an updated compensation schedule and funding wage increases for the union.
Personnel Policy Guide Change (01:13:16)
Proposed change to expand eligibility for the MC PPO certification stipend to all town employees.

A change to the town's personnel policy guide is proposed to expand the eligibility for the MC PPO (Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Officer) certification stipend to any town employee who achieves it, encouraging more staff to get certified.
Mystic School Heating Project (01:15:17)
Discussion on the Mystic School heating project using ARPA funds to replace steam heat with heat pumps.

The Mystic School building, used by the town's recreation department and a private program, has heating issues. A project using ARPA funds aims to replace failing steam heat with heat pumps, focusing on areas with failing steam piping wrapped in asbestos.
Article Nine Discussion (01:22:14)
No motions were received under Article Nine. Discussion focused on specialized building codes and gas stoves.

There were no motions received under Article Nine. The discussion included whether adopting the specialized building code would impact gas stoves, with clarification that gas stoves are allowed under a mixed fuel pathway with additional standards.
Closing Remarks and Questions (01:23:48)
Final call for questions on meeting articles and closing remarks about upcoming meetings and resources.

The meeting concluded with a final call for questions on any articles discussed. Attendees were informed that they should receive their motion books soon, and resources are available on the town's website for further information.