Information for Meeting of Town Clerk
Wednesday May 03, 2017 7:00 PM EDT

WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Phillipston Memorial School
 20 The Common
May 3, 2017
7:00pm

ARTICLE 1: To choose all necessary Town Officers and Committees for the ensuing year.  

ARTICLE 2: To receive and hear the reports of the Town Officers and Committees for the Fiscal Year 2016 and act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 3: To see if the Town will set the salary and compensation of all elective Town Officers as provided by Chapter 41, Section 108 of the General Laws, and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefore, or act in relation thereto:  

	FY17 Request voted	FY 18 Request	FinCom FY 18 Recommendation	% Change between FY18 Request & Recommended
Assessors	7,460	4,500	4,500	
Board of Health	3,558	3,558	3,558	
Cemetery Commission	936	936	936	
Constable	300	300	300	
Moderator	350	350	350	
Planning Board	6,398	6,558	6,398	-2.4%
School Committee	5,618	5,618	5,618	
Selectmen	8,918	8,918	8,918	
Tax Collector	25,031	25,657	25,657	
Town Clerk	40,295	40,295	40,295	

ARTICLE 4:	To raise and appropriate, appropriate from available funds, or otherwise provide such sums of money as may be deemed necessary to pay the Town charges for the twelve month period commencing July 1, 2017, and further that appointing authorities shall set salaries for personnel within the amounts appropriated hereunder in accordance with the provisions of G.L. c.41, §108, or act in relation thereto.

	FY17 Request voted	FY 18 Request	FinCom FY 18 Recommendation	% Change between FY18
Request & Recommended
Agricultural Comm.				
Clerk Payroll	364	365	365	
Expense	300	1,310	1,310	
Board Of Appeals				
Clerk Payroll	789	789	789	
Expenses	120	120	120	
Board Of Assessors				
Clerk/Asst Payroll	28,000	25,858	25,858	
Expenses	14,900	11,620	11,620	


				
Board Of Health				
Clerk Payroll	738	738	738	
Expenses	5,030	5,030	5,030	
Refuse Expense	30,000	30,000	30,000	
Refuse Payroll	14,856	14,856	14,856	
BOH Office Payroll	13,000	13,000	8,000	-38.5%
PMS Water Testing	4,000	4,000	4,000	
Board Of Selectmen				
Admin Assist Expense	615	615	615	
F/T Admin Assist Payroll	45,818	45,818	45,818	
Clerk Payroll	2,665	2,665	2,665	
Expenses	166,000	167,000	167,000	
TH Secretary Payroll	6,970	6,970	6,970	
Queen Lake Beach Payroll	780	800	800	
Queen Lake Expense	1,380	1,380	1,380	
Queen Lake Beach Monitor	1,050	1,050	1,050	
Building Department				
Bldg Insp Expense	5,204	5,204	5,204	
Bldg Insp Payroll	13,764	13,764	13,764	
Clerk Payroll	2,097	2,097	2,097	
Capital Improvement Planning Committee				
Expense	50	50	50	
Cemetery Comm.				
Expense	11,000	11,000	11,000	
Clerk Payroll	738	738	738	
Secretary	871	871	871	
Conservation Comm.				
Expense	5,400	5,300	5,300	
Clerk Payroll	800	800	800	
Council On Aging				
Expense	500	500	500	
Dispatch Services				
Payroll		54,107	60,000	60,000	
Animal Control				
Payroll		4,324	4,432	4,432	
Expense	1,905	1,905	1,905	
Education					
Montachusett Tech	169,122	213,782	213,782	
Emergency Management 				
Emergency Mgmnt. Payroll	5,125	5,253	5,253	
Expense	4,800	5,000	5,000	


				
Finance Committee				
Reserve Fund	50,000	60,000	60,000	
Expenses	150	150	150	
Clerk Payroll	769	788	788	
Fire Department				
F/T Fire Chief Payroll	53,300	54,633	54,633	
Fire Dept Payroll	77,868	81,701	81,701	
Fire Dept Training Payroll		42,897	42,897	
Fire Dept. Expense	65,000	65,500	65,500	
Fire Prvntn Payroll/Expense	2,000	2,050	2,050	
Ambulance Expense	38,000	38,000	38,000	
Ambulance Exp./Payroll	26,800	27,066	27,066	
Highway				
Highway Payroll                  	135,300	138,683	138,683	
Admin Asst. Payroll	4,749	4,868	4,868	
Snow & Ice	40,000	50,000	50,000	
Highway Expenses	54,590	54,590	54,590	
Historical Commission				
Expense	300	300	50	-83.3%
Clerk Payroll	700	700	50	-92.9%
Insp. Of Barns And Animals				
Expense	100	100	100	
Payroll		718	736	736	
Library				
Library Payroll	13,991	13,991	13,991	
Library Maint.	5,812	6,146	6,146	
Circulation Materials	6,258	6,258	6,258	
Moderator				
Expense	50	50	50	
Planning Board				
Clerk Payroll	756	778	778	
Secretary Payroll	2,943	3,017	3,017	
Expense	768	787	787	
Police Department				
Police Payroll	148,207	154,683	154,683	
Chief Payroll	65,893	67,540	67,540	
Department Expenses	57,312	62,602	62,602	
Recreation				
Expenses	5,358	5,358	5,358	
Tax Collector				
Expense	14,300	14,300	14,300	
Asst. Tax Collector Payroll	4,857	6,110	6,110	


				
Town Accountant				
Expense	4,800	5,000	5,000	
Accountant Payroll	21,286	21,818	21,818	
Sched A Assistance	630	630	630	
Town Clerk				
Election & Regis	5,900	2,950	2,950	
Expenses	4,000	3,600	3,600	
Voter Registration	250	250	250	
Asst. Town Clerk Payroll	1,500	1,000	1,000	
Treasurer				
Salary	20,869	20,869	20,869	
Expense	5,700	5,700	5,700	
Interest & Cert Notes	13,000	10,000	10,000	
Group Health/Life	90,000	90,000	90,000	
Medicare	15,000	16,000	16,000	
Unemployment Comp.	13,000	12,000	12,000	
Asst. Treasurer Payroll	3,246	3,246	3,246	
Highway Garage Debt	41,642	42,901	42,901	
Worc. Reg. Retirement	109,570	112,731	112,731	
WPAT	7,697	7,697	7,697	
Tax Title Software	28,750	25,000	25,000	
Turnout Gear Debt	50,528	50,283	50,283	
Tree Warden				
Payroll		1,560	1,600	1,600	
Expense	200	200	200	
Tree Maint. Account	5,000	5,000	5,000	
Veterans Services				
Administration	5,020	5,284	5,284	
Direct Benefits	10,500	10,500	10,500	

ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to Chapter 268A, Section 21A of the General Laws, to approve the appointment of a member of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Board of Cemetery Commissioners, Board of Assessors, Finance Committee, Historical Commission, Agricultural Commission, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission as Clerk for their respective Boards, or act in relation thereto.  

ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow in anticipation of revenue for the twelve month period beginning July 1, 2017 in accordance with 44, Section 4, of the General Laws and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with the Chapter 44, Section 17, of the General Laws, or act in relation thereto.  

ARTICLE  7:  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Cemetery Commissioners to utilize members of said Commission for work in the cemeteries and set their compensation at $12.50 per hour, or act in relation thereto.  
 
ARTICLE 8:   To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Health to utilize members of said Board for work at the Transfer Station, and set their compensation at $12.50 per hour, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 9: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow in anticipation of Highway reimbursement funds allotted by Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division for the Fiscal Year 2018 in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, Section 6A of the General Laws, and Acts in amendment thereof, for a period of not more than two years from their dates of issue, or act in relation thereto.  

ARTICLE 10: To see if the Town will vote to authorize a Revolving Account for Wiring Inspector—Commercial Solar Array Inspections under Chapter 44, Section 53E ½ of the General Laws for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. This revolving account will be credited with 75% of the fees collected for the inspection of commercial solar arrays, and the Wiring Inspector will be authorized to spend up to $60,000 for the purpose of paying wiring inspectors for inspections related to commercial solar arrays, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the following Revolving Accounts under Chapter 44, Section 53 E ½ of the General Laws for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017 or act in relation thereto.

Account	Revenue Source	Purpose	Authority to Spend	Spending Limit
Animal Control Revolving Fees	Fees and fines	Paying Animal Control Officer	Animal Control Officer	$2,000
BOH Agent Revolving Fees	Application fees for Septic & other permits	Administration & enforcement of Title V & other regulations	
BOH or designee	
$8,000
BOH Revolving Recycle	Receipts from recyclables sold & dump permits	Refuse disposal equipment, supplies, tipping fees & labor	
BOH or designee	
$4,000
Gas Inspector Revolving Fees	Receipts from fees for gas inspections	
Paying Inspector	
Gas Inspector	
$3,000
Wiring Inspector Revolving Fees	Receipts from fees for installing electrical wiring	
Paying Inspector	
Wiring Inspector	
$5,500
Plumbing Inspector Revolving Fees	
Receipts from fees for installing plumbing	
Paying Inspector	
Plumbing Inspector	
$4,500
Fire Dept. Revolving Burning Permit Fees	
Receipts from the sale of burning permits	
Replacing forest fire equipment	
Fire Chief or designee	
$2,000
Zoning Board of Appeals Revolving Fees	
Receipts from applications	
Advertising  and notice costs	
ZBA Chairman	
$1,500
Planning Board Revolving Fees	
Receipts from applications	Advertising & notice costs, other administration costs	
Planning Board	
$6,000
Highway Dept. Scrap Metal	Receipts from scrap metal	Miscellaneous repairs and supplies	Highway Department	
$2,500
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide the sum of $1,489,341 to pay its share of the Narragansett Regional School District budget for FY 2018, or act in relation thereto.  

ARTICLE 13: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide the sum of $94,885 for payment of long-term debt for the expansion and renovation of Narragansett Regional High and Middle Schools and the repair of the Narragansett Middle School roof, or act in relation thereto. 

ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide the sum of $25,000 to be used for repairs and maintenance at the Phillipston Memorial School, including all incidental and related expenses, or act in relation thereto.  

ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds the sum of $13,250 to replace outdated soft body armor for the Police Department, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 16: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds or borrow $1,798.01 for the purpose of paying Hutala Oil & Propane for outstanding State Fuel Tax charges from June 2013 through November 2015, or act in relation thereto.
(A 4/5 vote is required to approve this article, which seeks an appropriation to pay bills from prior fiscal years.  G.L. c.44, §64.)

ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into an agreement for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) pursuant to MGL c.59, §38H(b), or any other enabling legislation, for taxes attributable to a solar photovoltaic facility installed or to be installed on property located at 375 State Road, and shown on Assessors Map 35 as Parcel 17, on such terms and conditions and for a term of years as the Board of Selectmen deems in the best interests of the Town, and to take any other action necessary or convenient for the implementation and administration of such agreement; or act in relation thereto. 

ARTICLE 18: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into an agreement for Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) pursuant to MGL c.59, §38H(b), or any other enabling legislation, for taxes attributable to a solar photovoltaic facility installed or to be installed on property located at 190 Baldwinville Road, and shown on Assessors Map 26 as Parcel 16, on such terms and conditions and for a term of years as the Board of Selectmen deems in the best interests of the Town, and to take any other action necessary or convenient for the implementation and administration of such agreement; or act in relation thereto. 

ARTICLE 19: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire, by purchase, gift, eminent domain or otherwise, a certain parcel of property, and a right of access thereto across other land, said parcel located off Barre Road and on the shore of Queen Lake, and being the site of the Queen Lake Dam, as shown on a sketch plan entitled “Proposed Project Layout Plan Queen Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project,” dated March 2017, prepared by Lenart Consulting Service, LLC, a copy of which is on file with the Town Clerk, being a portion of Assessor’s Map 18, Lot 26A and Lot 26D, said property to be subject to certain easements and rights in favor of others, including, but not limited to, rights of ingress and egress across the property, easements for recreational purposes and for the placement of utilities to a boathouse on contiguous land, and a right to construct a boat ramp, and such other easements and rights as the Board of Selectmen deems reasonable and appropriate; and, further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into all agreements and execute any and all instruments as may be necessary on behalf of the Town to effect the transaction authorized by this vote, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 20: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $350,000 for the purpose of repairing/upgrading the Queen Lake Dam, including all incidental and related expenses, and as funding therefor, that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized to borrow said sum and issue bonds and notes therefor pursuant to MGL c.44 §7, or any other enabling authority; provided, however, that the amount appropriated hereunder shall be expressly contingent upon approval by the voters of a Proposition 2 ½ so called, debt exclusion question pursuant to MGL c.59 §21C; and further, that any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to the payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with G.L. c.44, §20, thereby reducing the amount authorized to be borrowed to pay such costs by a like amount;  or act in relation thereto.     
2/3 vote is required to approve this article.

ARTICLE 21: To see if the town will vote to join the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority pursuant to Chapter 161B §3 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 22: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide $10,000 to be used for the purpose of general repairs and maintenance on any Town owned buildings, including all incidental and related expenses, to be expended at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 23: To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to General Law Chapter 44B, to appropriate and transfer the sum of $10,000 from the Community Preservation Historical Resources Reserve and $90,000 from the Community Preservation Budgeted Reserve to the Board of Selectmen for the preservation and rehabilitation of the historic Town Hall, in particular for roof-related work, including all incidental and related expenses, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 24: To see if the Town will vote to hear and act on the report of the Community Preservation Committee on the Fiscal Year 2018 Community Preservation Budget and to appropriate or reserve from the Community Preservation annual revenues the amounts recommended below by the Community Preservation Committee to be expended for the purposes of committee administrative expenses, community preservation projects and other expenses in FY2018, with each line being considered a separate appropriation.  

Reserves:
From FY2018 estimated annual revenues for Historic Resources reserve…………	$   9,000
From FY2018 estimated annual revenues for Community Housing Reserve………$   9,000
From FY2018 estimated annual revenues for Open Space Reserve………………..	$   9,000
From FY2018 estimated annual revenues for Budgeted Reserve…………………..	$ 63,000

Appropriations:
From FY2018 Budgeted Reserve for committee administrative expenses…………	$ 500
or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 25: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds, or otherwise provide the sum of $16,000 for the Assessor’s Property Update Stabilization Fund, or act in relation thereto. 

ARTICLE 26: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $8,000.00 from the Assessor’s Property Update Stabilization Fund to the Assessor’s Triennual Recertification account for the purpose of funding the balance due for the FY2019 Cyclical Data Collection Program of Taxable Real Property, or act in relation thereto. 
2/3 vote is required to approve this article
ARTICLE 27: To see if the Town will vote to increase the income limit for the senior tax exemption granted under MGL c.59, §5, Clause 41B, from $10,000 for single and $12,000 for married to an amount not to exceed $20,000 for single and $25,000 for married  to take effect in FY2018, or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 28: To see if the Town will vote to increase the asset limit for the senior tax exemption granted under MGL c.59, §5, Clause 41B, from $20,000 for single and $23,000 for married to any amount not to exceed $35,000 for single and $40,000 for married to take effect in FY2018 or act in relation thereto.

ARTICLE 29: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds, the sum of $100,000 to the Capital Investment Fund, or act in relation thereto. 

ARTICLE 30: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $54,561 from the Capital Investment Fund for the final payment on the lease/purchase agreement for the Fire Department tanker truck, or act in relation thereto. 
2/3 vote is required to approve this article

ARTICLE 31: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $40,521 from the Capital Investment Fund for the FY2018 payment on the lease/purchase agreement for the Highway Department 10-wheel dump truck and sander, or act in relation thereto. 
2/3 vote is required to approve this article

ARTICLE 32: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to the Stabilization Fund, or act in relation thereto.
















581080/PHIL/0001