Budget and Zoning Enforcement Bylaw Approved

The annual town meeting last night was continued after 22 articles on the 45-article town meeting warrant was approved.

Only one article was defeated due to the fact that there were no bills from the previous years to come forth to the town meeting in Article 10.

What was approved? Here's the highlights:

• Article 6: The town's $92,090,924 budget was approved after some discussion over clarifications and concerns over where the free cash was coming from to offset the budget. But, the school's level-funded budget was included and approved.
• Article 16: While some called the proposed enforcement of this article would be anti-small business, the selectmen insisted that all the bylaw would do is enforce the zoning bylaws already approved in a non-criminal disposition that would be at the discretion of the building inspector. When a call is made to the building department about a violation, the building inspector will first verbally bring the violation to a business' attention, then proceed to a written warning, and then a fine, according to the selectmen and town manager. Some were concerned that the $100 a day fee while the business is not in compliance. After much discussion, the enforcement charges were approved by a 2/3 majority.
• Articles 17 to Article 23: These are articles that changed the zoning laws to make properties like the Glavin Center have open space and limit residential and commercial zoning on property in the town. The Targeted Zoning Committee created and submitted these articles to town meeting. Articles 17 to 22 were approved with little discussion.

The annual town meeting was continued until Wednesday, May 18 to continue the 45-article warrant. For more information, visit the town's website.