By Nate Leskovic
Times Staff
5/1/08

(previous)
Selectmen recently dropped an article requiring residents and businesses to clear snow from sidewalks.
Water Wars
Three Canton water pipes have been connected to the Milton system since a 1953, and an article seeks to modify or terminate the connection agreement.
Canton reads water meters just over the border near the Rte. 138 and reimburses Milton for its use—but at a rate lower than what Milton residents pay. In addition, officials say the meters do not accurately measure usage.
Reserve Fund
The town’s reserve fund is already depleted with two months remaining in the fiscal year, yet legal bills and unemployment costs remain unpaid. Officials seek the transfer of $23,500 from an unfilled central business office position to deal with the problem.
The reserve fund was appropriated $70,000 less in FY 08 than the previous year. It was hit hard by medical expenses for injured Firefighter Tony Pickens, as well a mid-year increase in teachers for Pierce Middle School to help raise test scores. For FY 09, the Warrant Committee recommends the fund be increased by $253,000.
Blue Hills Regional
However, $125,000 of the amount is set-aside for Blue Hills Regional Technical School. The Warrant Committee recommends Blue Hills be funded at the same level as last year and sent a letter to the other eight towns that send students there requesting they reject its budget increase. If four towns reject the budget, Blue Hills would have to submit another proposal.
The town was assessed more than $650,000 by Blue Hills for FY 09, a 23.35 percent increase from last year. If Blue Hills’ budget does not change, the town will use the set-aside reserve fund cash to cover the difference.
Self-Serve Gas Stations
The proposed bylaw amendment would allow self-serve pumps for gas stations, which are not allowed under a regulation dating back to the 1970s. Allowing self-service may reduce prices.
Firefighter Medical Bills
The town must cover $200,000 to $300,000 in outstanding medical bills for Firefighter Pickens, though the Warrant Committee has yet to make a recommendation on the issue as it waits for the result of pending state legislation.
A home-rule petition approved by Town Meeting in the fall requests permission to borrow funds to pay the bills, which is not usually permitted for municipalities.
Rep. Walter Timilty filled legislation authorizing the state to pay medical bills of public safety employees with catastrophic injuries.
Pickens will have ongoing care costs, and $320,000 was added to the fire department’s FY 09 budget as a line item.
Citizens’ Petitions
Residents have submitted two resolutions. The Warrant Committee opposes both resolutions. The committee says the articles are flawed.
One petition would require presentation to Town Meeting of three separate budgets.
One budget would be level funded, one would be based on the previous year’s budget with up to a 2.5 percent increase, and the last would be large enough to require an override election.
A second citizens’ petition asks the town to update its master plan, unchanged since 1978. According to the article, the master plan should contain goals and policies for land use, housing, economic development and open space.
Even if approved, the resolutions would enact no legal requirements for the town, according to the Warrant Committee.
Other Articles
Fletcher Steele Way could become the town’s newest street if Town Meeting approves. Residents have requested the private road off Highland Street become a public way since it now meets regulations for sidewalks and pavement.
The parks department could receive about $82,000 if Town Meeting appropriates an untapped source of funds reserved for work on the high school’s lower field. The money, which dates back to the 1970s, would likely be used for the recently renovated middle field at the high school.
Currently, when an official on a board or committee is absent from a hearing they are not permitted to vote on the issue. A proposed article allows the member to vote if they review all the testimony and materials presented at the hearing and were only absent from one session.
The Warrant Committee is recommending a $16,000 appropriation to enter a lease-to-own agreement for four Toyota Corollas to replace the town’s aging and gas-guzzling vehicles used for town business. Currently, old police cruisers—which get less that 10 miles per gallon—are used.
The Warrant Committee recommends about $115,000 from an old account set aside for building a recycling drop-off center be transferred into the capital stabilization account.