TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
NOVEMBER 24, 1997
In accordance with the warrant of the Selectmen, the Special Town Meeting was held in the Auditorium of the East Longmeadow High School on Monday, November 24, 1997. Town Moderator, Richard Brown called the meeting to order at 7:25 P.M. there being more than a quorum present. Mr. Brown offered the opening prayer and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Prior to the official business of the meetings, the Moderator introduced Richard Clark, Centennial Committee Chairman who pointed out the new Centennial flag attached to the curtain on the stage. He explained that the flag is also a banner to be used in parades, but hangs in the Selectmen’s Office. An identical flag hangs in the Hall of Flags for Cities and Towns in the State House. The flags are done in red and gray, the High School colors. He thanked the voters for their part in the making of the flags.
ARTICLE 1
Fire Station Furnishing and Equipment
Voted that the Town transfer $27,225.00 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to purchase furnishings and equipment for the new Fire Station on Somers Road, said funds to be expended under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen.
Passed by majority vote.
ARTICLE 2
Transfer of Funds from Wetlands Protection
Fund
No motion made
ARTICLE 3
Payment of Previous Years Bills – Veteran’s
Services and Law Dept.
Voted that the Town authorize the payment of departmental bills for Fiscal Year 1997 from Fiscal Year 1998 appropriations as follows: Veteran’s Services $203.60, Law Department $952.57.
Passed Unanimously
ARTICLE 4
Transfer of Funds – Health Other Account
Voted that the Town transfer $2,877.00 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Health/Other Account to pay bills incurred in Fiscal Year 1997.
Passed Unanimously
Special Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW November 24, 1997
ARTICLE 5
Payment of Previous Years Bills – School
Dept.
Voted that the Town authorize the payment of $5,041.48 for the payment of Fiscal 1997 bills. Such payment to be made from the 1997-98 Education Account.
Passed Unanimously
ARTICLE 6
Transfer of Funds - Sidewalks
Voted that the Town transfer $50,000.00 from the Undesignated Fund Balance for sidewalk construction, said funds to be expended under the direction of the Board of Public Works.
Passed by Majority Vote
ARTICLE 7
Re-Authorization of Sidewalk Funds
Voted that the Town amend the motion made under Article 35 of the May 5, 1986 Annual Town Meeting to authorize the use of the remaining funds appropriated for construction of sidewalks along North Main Street from Dearborn Street to the Big Y Shopping Center and Gates Avenue to include construction of sidewalks for various streets determined by the Board of Public Works.
Passed by Majority Vote
ARTICLE 8
Public Works Equipment – Transfer of Funds
Voted that the Town transfer the money from the following accounts:
#2132-01-429-5856 $3,995.61 Street Sweeper Account
#2000-01-429-5856 $3,098.53 Tractor Account
#1999-01-429-5856 $4,176.85 Bucket Loader Account
To be used with funds received from an insurance settlement to purchase new equipment for the Department of Public Works, said money to be expended under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works.
Passed by Majority Vote
Special Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW November 24, 1997
Voted that the Town appropriate $4,018,907 for the design, remodeling, reconstruction, or making of extraordinary repairs to and/or construction of an addition to the existing public library, including furnishings, costs of architectural fees, costs of receiving bids and costs for supervision, inspection and approval of all work performed; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen is authorized to borrow $4,018,907 under G.L. c.44, s7; that the Board of Library Trustees with the approval of the Selectmen are authorized to contract for and expend any federal, state or other aid, including private donations, available for the project, provided that the amount of the authorized borrowing shall be reduced by the amount of such aid received prior to the issuance of bonds or notes under this vote; and that the Board of Library Trustees is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this project; provided, however, that no debt may be incurred under this vote until the Board of Selectmen determines that a state construction grant is available for the project; and provided further, however, that this vote shall not take effect until the Town votes to exempt from the limitation on total taxes imposed by G.L. c.59, s21C (Proposition 2 ½) amounts required to pay the principal of and interest on the borrowing authorized by this vote.
Standing Vote: Yes – 469, No – 69, Passed by 2/3 Majority.
ARTICLE 10
Discontinue Portion of Gates Avenue
Voted that the Town discontinue a portion of Gates Avenue pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 82, Section 21, said portion of Gates Avenue being that described as printed in the Special Town Meeting Warrant.
Passed Unanimously
ARTICLE 11
Intermunicipal Water/Sewer Agreement with Springfield
Voted that the Town authorize the Board of Public Works and the Board of Selectmen to execute an intermunicipal agreement pursuant to M.G.L. C. 40, Section 4A with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission. Said agreement to all the Town to provide sewer service to various residential homes located within a subdivision in the City of Springfield entitled “Plan of Land Flower Street, Helen Street, Gates and Tompkins Avenue, Springfield and East Longmeadow, MA owned by Stanley P. Chrzan, Jr. and James S. Chrzan.” Dated July, 1997; Revised 8/1/97 prepared by Smith Associates Surveyors, Inc.
Defeated by Majority Vote
Special Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW November 24, 1997
ARTICLE 12
Transfer of Funds – School Department
Voted that the Town transfer $100,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Education account for the purpose of offsetting unanticipated special and regular education expenses for the 1997-98 fiscal year.
Passed by Majority Vote
ARTICLE 13
Transfer of Funds – Design for New Middle School
Voted that $180,000 is appropriated and shall be transferred from the Town’s Undesignated Fund Balance for the preliminary design/engineering services for the construction of the proposed new middle school; and that the Building Committee is authorized to take any other action necessary to carry out this preliminary planning phase of the project.
Passed by Majority Vote
ARTICLE 14
Collective Bargaining Agreement - Police
Voted that the Town fund a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 482, members of the East Longmeadow Police Department which becomes effective on July 1, 1995 and ends on June 30, 1998; and transfer $55,177.00 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Police Department Personal Services Account to fund the Fiscal Year 1996 and Fiscal Year 1997 portions of the agreement.
Passed Unanimously
ARTICLE 15
Quinn Bill
Voted that the Town accept the provisions of General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 108L (Quinn Bill).
Passed by Majority Vote.
Special Town Meeting was adjourned at 10:40 PM, the business of the Warrant having been completed.
Special Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW November 24, 1997
CERTIFICATE OF QUORUM
This is to certify that a quorum of more than 100 voters was present at the Special Town Meeting held on November 24, 1997.
Voter attendance was recorded as follows:
Precinct 1 127
Precinct 2 219
Precinct 3 115
Precinct 4 152
613
Article Description Amount
1 Fire Station Furnishings 27,225.00
3 Previous Year’s Bills
Veterans Services 203.60
Law Department 952.57
4 Health/Other 2,877.00
5 Previous Years’ Bill – School Dept. 5,041.48
6 Sidewalks 50,000.00
7 Sidewalks 24,221.15
8 Transfer of Public Works Fund
a/c 2132-01-429-5856 3,995.61
a/c 2000-01-429-5856 3,098.53
a/c 1999-01-429-5856 4,176.85
9 Library 4,018,907.00
12 School Department 100,000.00
13 School Department 180,000.00
14 Collective Bargaining Agreement-Police 55,177.00
TOTAL $4,475,875.79
Special Town
Meeting TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW November 24, 1997
Undesignated Fund Balance 415,279.00
Appropriations Fiscal Year 1998 6,197.65
Public Works Accounts
#2132, 2000 & 1999-01-429-5856 11,270.99
Library Bonding 4,018,907.00
TOTAL $4,475,875.79
A True Record of this Meeting: Attest:
James P. Connor, Town Clerk
J. Donald Plourde, Town Clerk (Appointed 1-5-98)