Sudbury Bans Plastic Bags And Bottles, Marijuana Businesses: Town Meeting Results 2017

SUDBURY, MA—On Tuesday at Sudbury's Town Meeting, voters had to wait until the final article on the second night, which was read shortly before 11 p.m., to vote on whether or not to ban plastic bags and bottles in their town. They said yes.

Voters also made decisions on funding for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, whether or not to establish a moratorium on marijuana business in town, sidewalk improvements, purchases for the fire department, as well as approve budgets for the town and the school.

The 2017 Annual Town Meeting was called to order May 1 at 7:34 PM by the Moderator, Michael Fee. Following are the Vote Results from the Meeting (the result is posted first, then the article number, then a description of the article).

Unanimously Voted
Article 1
Hear Reports

Unanimously Voted to Indefinitely Postpone
Article 2
FY17 Budget Adjustments

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 3
FY18 Budget

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 4
FY18 Capital Budget

Unanimously Voted
Article 5
FY18 Transfer Station Enterprise Fund Budget

Unanimously Voted
Article 6
FY18 Pool Enterprise Fund Budget

Unanimously Voted
Article 7
FY18 Recreation Field Maintenance Enterprise Fund Budget

Unanimously Voted to Indefinitely Postpone
Article 8
Unpaid Bills

Unanimously Voted
Article 9
Chapter 90 Highway Funding

Unanimously Voted
Article 10
Town School Revolving Funds

Unanimously Voted
Article 11
Amend Bylaws by adding New Article XXXIII Establishing Solar Energy Revolving Fund

Unanimously Voted
Article 12
Fund Litigation Costs – Eversource

Passed by Well More Than Two-Thirds
Article 13
Fund Litigation Costs – Sudbury Station Project

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 14
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail Design Funding

WITHDRAWN
Article 15
WITHDRAWN

Unanimously Voted to Indefinitely Postpone
Article 16
Goodnow Library Charter Amendment

Passed by Well More Than Two-Thirds
Article 17
Amend Zoning Bylaw, Art. IX, add new section 4800, Temporary Moratorium on Marijuana Establishments

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 18
Amend Article XVIII of the Town of Sudbury Bylaws – Licenses and Permits Subject to Unpaid Taxes and Fees

Unanimously Voted to Indefinitely Postpone
Article 19
Amend Town Bylaws, Article XVII.4 – In-Ground Irrigation Systems of

Unanimously Voted
Article 20
Amend Zoning Bylaws, Section 1230, Conformance

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 21
DPW Rolling Stock Replacement

Unanimously Voted
Article 22
Purchase of Fire Department ladder Truck

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 23
Town and Schools Rooftop HVAC Unit Repairs

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 24
Town and School Parking Lots and Sidewalks Improvements

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 25
Wireless Technology Infrastructure Improvements – Sudbury Public Schools

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 26
Sudbury Public Schools Playground Improvements

Unanimously Voted
Article 27
Stabilization Fund

Unanimously Voted to Indefinitely Postpone
Article 28
Lyons Pride/S.M.I.L.E. Haskell Field Playground Surfacing

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 29
Featherland Multisport Court Reconstruction

WITHDRAWN
Article 30
WITHDRAWN

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 31
Town Hall Restoration/Rehabilitation

Unanimously Voted
Article 32
Regional Housing Services Office Allocation

Passed by Well More Than a Majority
Article 33
Sudbury Housing Authority Allocation

Unanimously Voted
Article 34
FY18 Community Preservation Fund General Budget and Appropriations

Passed by More Than a Majority
Article 35
Proposed Bylaw: Plastic Check-out Bag Ban

Passed by More Than a Majority
Article 36
Proposed Bylaw: Plastic Bottled Water Regulations

The Special Town Election is also taking place on Tuesday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School.

View the full warrant, and special town election information, here.

Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/News