Fall 2009 Special Town Meeting  

This page hosts a discussion led by Town Moderator Dan Winslow on the Articles up for vote in the Fall 2009 Special Town Meeting.

To post a question to this page, email it to post@norfolknet.com and put post:TM09 in the subject.

The warrant for the Fall 2009 Special Town Meeting is available [here, in Word doc format] and [here, as plain text]

  • 11/10 8:40am   Questions about article 4: I'd like an explanation of the second half of article 4 - the part starting from "The MSBA's grant program is a non-entitlement" through the end.
    That whole second half appears to be explanatory material. I don't doubt that it is true. But was there any need to include it in the article?
    The part beginning "Any grant that Norfolk may receive from the MSBA for the Project shall not exceed" seems to be limiting the subsidy that Norfolk is willing to accept. I understand that it is a description of what the State will provide. But why is the article written to prevent us from accepting more if the State were to change its mind and offer more?
    "Any grant ... shall not exceed ... the total maximum grant amount ...." seems like a tautology. What information is conveyed in the statement that the grant we get from the MSBA won't be more than maximum grant amount determined by the MSBA?
    - DR

  • 11/7 10:07pm   As an experiment (courtesy or DR, thank you), a more interactive format of the Warrant is available at [page link] This is an experiment, and feedback (to box80@norfolknet.com) would be appreciated.
    Click on the Plus-Sign at the left of a line to expand the items under that heading. The Plus-Sign will turn into a Minus-Sign to indicate that that heading is expanded. Click on the Minus-Sign at the left of a line to collapse the items under that heading. The Minus-Sign will turn into a Plus-Sign to indicate that that heading is collapsed.
    The web page uses Javascript to expand or collapse the items under a heading. Therefore, your web browser has to permit Javascript to be used, in order for expanding and collapsing to work. (If your browser doesn't permit Javascript you should see everything permanently expanded with no Plus-Signs or Minus-Signs.)
    - Wm.

  • 10/26 8:40am   Comment on Article 9: MGL Chapter 59, Section 5 is available at www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/59-5.htm The text of the version of Clause 41A that is currently in effect, starts with the phrase "Forty-first A," and continues until the note "[Subparagraph (2) of first paragraph of clause Forty-first A effective until July 1, 2008. For text effective July 1, 2008, see below.]", skips that version of Subparagraph (2) until the note "[ Subparagraph (2) of first paragraph of clause Forty-first A as amended by 2008, 182, Sec. 14 effective July 1, 2008. See 2008, 182, Sec. 121. For text effective until July 1, 2008, see above.]" and then continues until the phrase "Forty-first B".
    - DR

  • 10/23 9:28pm   It is my understanding that eventually Articles 4, 5, and 6 will all require passage of a Proposition 2 1/2 override. If that is correct, why is it that the words "subject to a Proposition 2 1/2 override" only appear in Article 6 and not in Articles 4 or 5?
    - TEM

    [That is correct. The final version of the Warrant has included express reference to the fact that the votes on the elementary school, public safety building, and Road Stabilization Fund are subject to Prop 2 1/2 referendum votes. The referendum will be held on Tuesday, December 8, at the same time the special primary election for the US Senate vacancy is being held.

    Dan Winslow, Town Moderator]

  • 10/23 12:23pm   Comment on Article 3: MGL Chapter 41, Section 110A is available at www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/41-110a.htm
    MGL Chapter 4, Section 9 is available at www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/4/4-9.htm
    Question on Article 3: How will town operations be changed if this article is approved?
    - DR

    Norfolknet.com
    your community, on-line