While a Nov. 7 Town Meeting date has been planned, the board last week discussed putting it off until January due to a late zoning article they say could draw some debate.

Town Administrator Kevin Mearn said there is a citizens’ petition to rezone St. Elizabeth Parish’s former rectory at 597 Randolph Ave. for townhouses.

Randolph-based Corvo Construction is the developer of the project. The new zoning would change the current zoning for single-family homes. The property is currently zoned Residence C, which allows for 7,500-square-foot lots on a property no less than one and no more than two acres.

Town Planner Bill Clark said the property has 63,000 square feet and that the developer is looking to put in 12 to 14 units. He said the zoning would allow for other such developments on Residence C properties in which homes are put together.

Due to time constraints with holding public hearings and setting a recommendation on the article, Mearn said it would be “problematic” to try to get it on the November warrant.

“It’s a very important proposal, and it needs sufficient time to be aired. Obviously Nov. 7 is too soon,” said Selectmen Chair Bob Sweeney.

There were already several other articles planned for the November Special Town Meeting, one of which was a funding article for the new Consolidated Facilities Department. The Warrant Committee had established a study committee to set a budget to get the department off the ground.

Selectman Tom Hurley, who served on the study committee, told the board there are three currently nonexistent personnel positions in the town that would have to be created for the new department: a facilities administrative assistant, a maintenance laborer and an HVAC/electricity technician. Most of the funding will come from existing maintenance contracts, although Town Meeting may be asked to appropriate reserve funds or free cash to make up the difference, Hurley said.

Other articles include renewing a borrowing plan for injured firefighter Tony Pickens – the town’s current five-year borrowing plan for Pickens’ medical bills is due to expire and a new home rule petition must be filed. Another home rule petition is needed to rescind a previous petition for a liquor license for a restaurant Espirit Du Vin owner Keith Mills was planning but never opened.

Another article would remove Department of Public Works, cemetery, park, and school clerical and cafeteria workers from the civil service hiring policy. Rather than being given a number on an interview list established through civil service exams, the article would result in residents being given first preference in the interview process.

Another article would set a revolving account or some other funding mechanism for payments to the town for use of the former branch library.