Town Meeting Results and Other Town News

Rehoboth May 9, 2023 Annual Town Meeting (ATM)

Francis Farm Community Complex - Museum Building

7:00 PM ~ 10:15 PM

(To refer to the 5-9-2023 ATM Warrant, please go to:

https://www.rehobothma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif4911/f/uploads/rehoboth_may_9_2023_warrant_final.pdf)

Article Number

Vote

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING:

Town Meeting-Convened @ 7:00 p.m.

Article # 1

Annual Town Surplus Equipment Auction Authorization

Voted unanimously to authorize the disposal of surplus Town equipment and materials from any Town departments by bid, auction or scrap pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30B, or by donation or other disposition pursuant to applicable laws.

Article #2

Authorization to Pay Bills of a Prior Year

Voted unanimously to transfer from Free Cash the sum of $31,000 to fund the prior two years (Fiscal 2022 and 2023) of three-year collective bargaining agreements between the Town and the Clerical and Highway & Facilities Maintenance unions.

Article #3

Set Salaries and Compensation of

Elected Officials

Approved unanimously.

As Printed in the Warrant

Article #4

340 Anawan Street-Town Hall

Note Payment

Voted unanimously, as amended, to raise from Free Cash the sum of $299,959 and to transfer from the Solar Revenue Funds, the sum of $135,000, totaling $434,959 to fund the final payment of principal and interest on 340 Anawan Note.

Article # 5

Board of Health Transfer Station

Offset Receipts

Voted unanimously to reauthorize an “Offset Receipts” account for the solid waste handling facility and recycling area and its operation.  The fiscal year 2024 expenditures shall be limited to $148,700.00.

Article #6

Reauthorize Revolving Accounts Expenditures

Voted unanimously to authorize the total expenditure limits for the revolving funds as printed in the warrant.

Article #7

Community Preservation Budget & Appropriation of Monies from Community Preservation Fund Annual Revenues

Approved Unanimously

As Printed in the Warrant

Article #8

Appropriate Funds from Network Transportation Reserve Receipt (NTRR) Fund

Approved by Unanimously

As Printed in the Warrant

Article #9

Acceptance of Report

Voted unanimously, as printed in the warrant to receive the report of the Rehoboth Board of Health. 

Article #10

Date of Annual Town Meeting

Bylaw Amendment

Voted unanimously, as amended*, to amend Chapter A, Town Meetings, Officers, Committees and Elections, Article 1, Calling of Town Meetings, Section 2, to the first Tuesday of June at the specific hour and location designated by the Board of Selectmen, and in accordance with the General Laws of Massachusetts, until every article and other business in the warrant has been duly considered and acted upon.

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*Majority Vote Received-Amendment #1-

Monday to Tuesday

YES = 229               NO = 9                TOTAL = 238

Amendment #2-removal of language in italics (last sentence in warrant). Approved via Majority Voice vote.

Article #11

Fiscal Year 2024 Town Budget Recommendations from the Finance Committee – Acceptance of Report

Voted by two-thirds vote*, to approve Article 11, as amended, to receive the report of the Finance Committee and to raise from Taxation the amount of $13,574,689, to transfer from the Cannabis Fund the amount of $128,291 and to transfer from Free Cash the amount of $10,995 for a total of $13,713,975 as described in the Report of the Finance Committee to defray the expenses of Town government and for the ensuing fiscal year and to make all appropriations therefore. 

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*2/3RDS VOTE RECEIVED:      

YES = 215               NO = 18                TOTAL = 233

Article #12

Funding Collective Bargaining Agreement - Dispatchers

Voted by two-thirds* vote to table Article 12

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*2/3RDS VOTE RECEIVED:     

 YES = 198               NO = 36                TOTAL = 234

Article #13

Fiscal Year 2024 Dighton Rehoboth Regional School Budget

Voted unanimously to approve Article 13, as amended*, to receive the report of the finance committee, to raise from Taxation the sum of $20,910,342 and the sum of Free Cash of $323,335 for a total of $21,233,677 as described in the Report of the Finance Committee, to pay the assessments of the Dighton/Rehoboth Regional School System, for the ensuing fiscal year and to make all appropriations therefore. *Finance Committee Amended at Town Meeting to $21,233,677 (Taxation $20,910,342; Free Cash $323,335) as amended in the above motion.

Article #14

Fiscal Year 2024 Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School Budget

Voted by majority vote to receive the report of the Finance Committee, and to raise from Taxation, the sum of $1,436,167 as described in the Report of the Finance Committee, to defray the expenses of Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School for the ensuing fiscal year and to make all appropriations therefore.

Article #15

Fiscal Year 2024 Bristol County Agricultural High School Budget

Voted unanimously to receive the report of the Finance Committee and to raise from Taxation, the sum of $272,713 as described in the Report of the Finance Committee, to defray the expenses for Bristol County Agricultural High School for the ensuing fiscal year and to make all appropriations therefore.

Article #16

CPC Funds from the Undesignated Fund for Related Expenses of the Purchase of

30 Acres off of 165 Fairview Avenue

(Part of Map 57, Lot 31)

Voted unanimously, to approve the appropriation of $225,000 from the Town’s “Undesignated Community Preservation Funds”, for the purchase of 30 acres, off 165 Fairview Avenue, (Part of Map 57, Lot 31).

Article #17

CPC Funds from the Undesignated Fund for Related Expenses of the Purchase of

14 Acres off of 44 Bliss Street, Lot 1

Voted unanimously, to approve the appropriation of $125,000 from the Town’s “Undesignated Community Preservation Funds”, for the purchase of 14 acres off 44 Bliss Street, Lot 1, along with the costs associated with such a purchase, such acquisition will support preservation and passive recreational use, and, further to authorize the Town to convey an appropriate conservation restriction in such property.

Article #18

Transfer $25,000 for the FY2025 Certification of Values

Voted unanimously, to allow the Board of Assessors to transfer from Overlay Surplus the sum of $25,000.00 for the contracting of the FY2025 revaluing and certifying assessed valuation of the Town as mandated by the State of Massachusetts to comply with Proposition 2 ½.

Article #19

Re-Statement of the Bristol-Plymouth Vocational Technical School

District Agreement

Voted unanimously, to approve an amendment to the agreement between the Town of Rehoboth and Bristol-Plymouth Regional Vocational School agreement to include the addition of the Town of Freetown as a new member to the district.

Article #20

90 Pond Street-Payment in Lieu of Taxes Solar “PILOT” Agreement

Voted by majority vote to, in accordance with G.L. Chapter 59, section 38H, to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Assessors to review, negotiate and enter into a “payment in lieu of taxes,” agreement as described in the warrant.

Article #21

Street Acceptances:

Francelina Way, Veader Farm Road and Layla’s Way

Voted by two-thirds vote* to accept as town public ways Francelina Way, Veader Farm Road and Layla’s Way, as described in the warrant and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept or take by eminent domain deeds or easements to use such public way for all purposes for which public ways are used in the Town of Rehoboth and further to acquire related drainage, utility and other related easements, as may be necessary. Further, to authorize the transfer from Free Cash of $1,500 to pay for title and other expenses that may arise.

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*2/3rds Vote Received      ~   

YES = 187              NO = 40               TOTAL = 227

Article #22

Historic Preservation Reserve of the Community-Preservation Act (CPA) Funds – Relocation of Buildings

Voted by majority vote to appropriate the sum of $81,480 from the “Historic Preservation Reserve of the Community Preservation Act (CPA)” for the moving and restoration of Rehoboth Historical Commission’s three Farm Museum buildings at Francis Farm to a new location at the complex in order to provide better parking for the Senior Center.

Article #23

Historic Preservation Reserve of the Community-Preservation Act (CPA) Funds – Purchase of Shady Bend

Voted by majority vote to appropriate the sum of $50,000 from the “Historic Preservation Reserve of the Community Preservation Act (CPA)” to purchase the buildings and property located at 133 Bay State Road, Rehoboth, MA in its entirety including any closing costs or costs associated with the same, and further to authorize the Selectmen to convey a Historic Preservation Restriction on such property.

Article #24

Amendment to the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District Agreement

Voted by majority vote to approve the amended Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District Agreement as written in the warrant.

Article #25

Reallocation of Funds Voted on Warrant Article 19 of Fiscal Year 2023 – Capital Budget – DRRSC from May 14, 2022 Warrant

Voted unanimously to reallocate $125,000 from Article 19 of the FY2023 Annual Town Meeting warrant regarding Beckwith Middle School Capital to fund security enhancements including, but not limited to, security cameras and door access controls for Beckwith and Palmer River Schools.

Article #26

OPIOD Settlement Funds

Voted unanimously to appropriate a sum of $25,867.65 for Fiscal Year 2024 and $15,159.90 for Fiscal Year 2023 received from statewide opioid settlements between the Massachusetts Attorney General and non-bankrupt opioid industry participants to fund prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery programs as further detailed in the Massachusetts State Subdivision Agreement for Statewide Opioid Settlements.

Article #27

Helicopter Landing License

Voted by majority* vote to amend Chapter B, Protection of Persons and Property, by adding a new Article XI, Helicopter Landing Permits, as written in the warrant.

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*MAJORITY VOTE RECEIVED:      

YES = 164               NO = 82                TOTAL = 246

Article #28

General By-Law Amendment to Chapter A – Section D9 – Revolving Funds

Voted unanimously to approve the creation of a Revolving Account for the Cemetery Commission with a cap of $10,000 for 2023 as written in the warrant.

Article #29

General Bylaws – Adopt Bylaw Banning the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages of 100 ML or Less (NIPS)

Voted by majority vote to Defeat* the amendment of the Town’s General Bylaws – (Section 5 to Chapter F, General Provisions, Article I)

(Article 29 defeated due to a two-thirds* vote not being achieved.)

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*2/3rds Vote Not Obtained – Article 29 is Defeated  

 YES =    83           NO =       155         TOTAL =  238

Article #30

General Bylaws-Adopt a Wetland

Protection Zone

Voted by two-thirds vote to Table* the amendment of the Town’s General Bylaws – (Chapter N – Wetland Protection By-Law the following submitted petition to approve a 35-foot Preservation Zone area around wetlands)

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*2/3rds Vote to Table - Obtained      ~   

YES =    162           NO =       64         TOTAL =  226

Article #31

Grant of Access Easement for Pedestrian Access through Town of Rehoboth Parcel Located off County Street and more Specifically Designated as Assessor’s Map 40, Lot 8 (The Easement)

Voted unanimously, by voice vote, to grant an access easement pursuant to Section B3 of the Town of Rehoboth General Bylaws and MGL C. 82 Sections 33 & 21-23, as written in the warrant.

Article #32

Amend Section 3.2 of the Town Of Rehoboth Zoning Bylaws and the Town Of Rehoboth’s Zoning Map as it pertains to a Rear Portion of the Properties Located at 181R and 177 Winthrop Street, Rehoboth, Massachusetts More Specifically Designated As Assessor’s Plat 46, Lots 96A and 97

(Collectively, The “Properties”).

Voted By two-thirds vote* to amend Section 3.2 of the Town of Rehoboth Zoning Bylaw and the Town of Rehoboth’s Zoning Map as described in the warrant.

Meridia Electronic EZ-Vote 5 Keypad Count:

*2/3rds Vote Obtained      ~   

YES =    153           NO =       35         TOTAL =  188

Article #33

General By-Laws Amendment to Article VI – Permits, Licenses and Public Demeanor

Voted by majority vote to amend Article VI Chapter B Permits, Licenses and Public Demeanor and add Section 30 Razing and/or Demolition Permit - Notification Delay, as written in the warrant.

Article #34

Appropriations of Insurance Proceeds

Voted by majority vote to appropriate by transfer the sum of $894,635.05 from the Final Insurance Proceeds to the Capital Stabilization Fund for future renovations at Francis Farm.

Article #35

Transact Other Business as May Legally Come Before Said Meeting

Voted unanimously to dissolve the May 9, 2023

Annual Town Meeting at 10:15 PM.