LIVE BLOG: Framingham 2014 Fall Special Town Meeting - Night 2 - part B

EDITOR’S NOTE: Patch’s new system limits to reports to 20,000 characters, so Night 2 of Town Meeting’s Live Blog has part A & B.

Since the new system was launched in 2014, I have never hit the character limit until tonight.

I had to start a second Live Blog file tonight.

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This part of the blog picks up at 10 p.m. on October 23, 2014, while Town Meeting members are discussing a citizen’s petition asking the Town of Framingham to prohibit the sale of bottled water.

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Editor’s Note: Please excuse typos as the blog is in process.

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10:05 p.m.

Gloria Gellar -- TMM2 speaking - I don’t drink bottled water - - thank the presenter for telling us how dangerous is - canned tomatoes are dangerous -- should we ban them?

Let’s think about this we have a sick society that uses a really bad things

I urge Town Meeting members to vote for this -- only gaining - there are other alternatives to the PET plastics

Need to vote with your pockets.

Ken Wise - TMM4 -- water companies make up feel there is something wrong with our water under our tap.

they take the same water we drink and they put it in the plastic bottle - and sell it for more money in Stop & Shop

why do it in Framingham? - our water is great

Recycling of plastics - some do and some don’t

corporations have been allowed to not take care of pollution

we have ti change our system

have to make corporations serve us ...

10:07 p.m. Ann Sullivan - TMM8 -- I support article 10 -

I would like to clarify I don’t believe FACES has endorsed this article

Disappointed to hear that the Board of Health is not taking a position on this

There is a risk - especially for women - I feel going back to the board of health is minimizing the risks.

Mark McClennan - TMM12 - I am opposed to this -- the bottles do meet federal guidelines.

Concord does not have Poland Springs so there could be more of a financial impact in Framingham

For all these reason recommend vote against

Michael Cannon - TMM9 - rise in opposition of this article

Commend the young men -- spirited dialogue -- voters have a problem with this issue

overwhelmingly talked to people in the community - overwhelmingly opposed - who the hell is town meeting that I can’t buy a legal product in a federally approved package.

Marathon monday -- people can not sell bottled water --but you can buy a bottle of soda ...is that soda not in the same plastics?

I regret that this process was not collaborative -- what was the feedback from retailers in Town. Matt said he did not talk them. I didn’t want to waste my time. Not let a handful of us here at a quarter after 10 on a wednesday make this decision.

Mike McCarthy -- TMM10 -- against this article -- business aspects

Framingham perceived as anti-business

town has tried to remedy this

if this article passes - the town will take a huge step backwards

this will be an anti-business article -- big business and small business will be hurt

If you got to natick, ashland or sudbury - that is will you will do your shopping

every convenience store in town will suffer financially

That is there largest profit margin for them

it has taken years for the heath industry that water is healthy and should be consumed.

Staples would be hurt -- they sell a lot of water -- large displays at the entrance - they sell a lot fo products

Poland Springs would be hurt -- we heard the representative speak --

we are going to go out of way in town to anger some of the largest realtors and the convenience stores.

many upset citizens --will be upset

if this article passes if will only make some citizens irate - that they can no longer buy water no matter where they want

urge you to vote no.

Motion made to move the question - about a dozen people still wish to speak

If TMM want to continue discussion vote no on motion moderator explains

Moderator does a hand vote -- she said it does not pass - needed 2/3 vote

10:21 p.m. Discussion continues

Cynthia - TMM11 - rise to support this - we have an opportunity to take a stand against big business

we take a stand

think of future generation

We should adapt to a new way of drinking water

Herb Chasan - TMM4 - rise in support - I think it is totally appropriate that town meeting send a message about the environment.

and we make changes in the way we live.

heavy use of plastics

certain drug store in town -- no longer sell cigarettes - business can adapt

I urge a yes vote

Jason Smith -- Framingham Board of Selectmen - take no stand on citizen’s petition

But I want to talk about the financial implications

They pay $1.3 million in taxes - they pay also water & sewer

they keep people employed in Framingham

Donate to food pantries

I was in Concord three weeks ago -- there were not less water on the shelves - there were more flavored water bottles

10:26 p.m. Moderator -recognize a citizen and not a Town Meeting member

Rich Brockway - TMM9 -- speaking -- Appreciate the passion of the sponsor

I work for poland spring water - for 25 years - resident of Framingham. Proud to work there.

Please be educated to the facts of the whole story

Do ask common sense questions

‘If PET so bad - why FDA approved ?

If ban single serve litre bottle --so okay to drink Coke bottle?

Why not ban all PET products??

We look to reduce our carbon footprint at Poland Springs

Look at the products coming out of the markets in town - water is the beverage of choice and it is a healthy choice.

Revenue dollars -- produce business --

If you reduce revenue --we could possible reduce a job in Framingham

Poland Spring support local organizations and events in town.

We support the turkey trot every year.

Point of Order - Susan Massad - speaker over his 5 minutes

• Moderator - no he is not - he has 47 seconds still I’m timing him.
  

Motion to move the question by TMM Betty Muto

10:31 p.m.

George Lewis - Point of order --

Lewis: Really happy a lot of response -- ask can we reduce the amount of time to speakas I have not had time to speak yet.

Moderator - that is not a point of order

Moderator calls for a hand vote to move the question - she said question moved.

Moderator challenged -- now motion to move question will be by electronic vote.

10:33 p.m. VOTE: 64-34-1 - question NOT MOVED

Discussion continues

Audrey Hall - TNM3 -speaking - 17 years been organic in my home - try to avoid all chemicals - but folks I love water - and I want water available where ever I go. There are times I need to buy it and I want it to be available.

I want to be able to get a bottle of water at MetroWest Medical center and get a bottle of water if this passes.

But I don’t want to open up the glass container and see nothing but chocolate milk, coke, pepsi, etc...

Almost everything beverage -- even the flavored waters clear - have high fructose in them.

Why not address the PET issue on a much larger scale? Hall said she asked the sponsor.

Like to see addressed globally not just in Framingham

Walsh & Sannicandro should address PETS in the state not just in Framingham.- and draft legislation

Water is the healthiest of all beverages -- in the PET bottles - is water

Leave PET bottles on the shelf but take water off - I understand the effort

I think this is wrong the wayto go about it.

Be thanksful for the conversation - but vote against this article

10:40 p.m. Andrea - TMM12 -- I rise in strong support of this article - buying bottled water is an unnecessary expense

We have some of the best water in the country

MWRA rates #5 in the country

MOTION to move the question

Electronic vote -- 75-25-1 PASSED

Discussion has ended at 10:45 p.m.

Main Motion VOTE

Moderator explains a yes would ban water

electronic vote -- majority vote needed to pass

40-60-2 - MOTION FAILS

Framingham will NOT ban the sale of single plastic water bottles with PET under 1 liter

TMM14 calls for Town Meeting to adjourn until Thursday night

Passes

10:48 p.m.