WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING—August 15, 2005

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

TOWN OF EAST LONGMEADOW

 

HAMPDEN, ss:

 

To the Constables or the Tax Collector for the Town of East Longmeadow:

 

            In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts to meet on Monday, August 15, 2005 at

7 o’clock in the evening, in the auditorium of the Senior High School, at which time and place action upon the following Articles will be taken:

 

ARTICLE 1.  This petition is being put forth to insure that the new trash policy, for East Longmeadow, scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2005 is deterred.  We do not feel that it is acceptable to restrict each residence to one 35 gallon trash barrel per week with a $1.75 per proprietary bag charge.  Not only is this unrealistic for most townspeople but we feel that it will lead to increased illegal dumping throughout the town.  We respectfully request that the select board reconsider its decision to adopt the new contract and propose that the townspeople of East Longmeadow be given a fair opportunity to discuss these concerns along with possible alternatives.

Sponsored by:  Richard Chaisson and others.

 

ARTICLE 2.  To see if the Town will vote to request that that the Solid Waste Advisory Team (SWAT) and Selectmen consider alternatives to the existing Pay As you Throw (PAYT) program with Central Mass Disposal (CMD) in addition to alterations to the existing program.  This is to be considered within the confines of the signed 5 year contract with the new trash company, Central Mass Disposal.  Or to take any other action in relation thereto.

Sponsored by:  Russell Sabadosa and others. 

 

ARTICLE 3.  To see if the Town will vote to request that the Board of Selectmen appoint a committee of seven members whose purpose it is to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the means and effectiveness of communication between the Town’s Boards and the citizens.  This committee’s findings shall be published to the town’s website and made available through various medias.  Or to take any other action in relation thereto.

Sponsored by:  Petition of Todd Mackechnie and others.

 

ARTICLE 4.  To see if the town will vote to show there is a consensus that there needs to be a more open, formal and effective means of communication between the Board of Selectmen and citizens.  This article requests the following:  Coverage of the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to be returned to ELCAT; The timely and accurate publishing of the Board and Committee Meeting Minutes, Agenda’s and public meeting schedules to the <eastlongmeadow.org> website.  Information relating to the status of major issues are to be posted on the website and maintained on a timely basis (within 21 days from the actual meeting date).  Or to take any other action in relation thereto.

Sponsored by:  Petition of Alfred Celetti and others.

 

ARTICLE 5.  To see if the Town will vote to authorize payments of bills incurred in prior year Fiscal 2005; or pass any vote or take any other action relative thereto.

Sponsor:  Board of Selectmen

 

ARTICLE 6.  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the transfer a sum of money from the Water Undesignated Fund Balance for the payment of a prior year FY 2005 bill for Water Charges; or pass any vote or take any other action relative thereto.

Sponsor:  Board of Public Works

 

ARTICLE 7.  To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer funds from various fiscal year 2006 line items within a specific department or departments to other line items within the same department or departments only.

Sponsored by:  Board of Selectmen.

 

ARTICLE 8.  To see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer funds from existing departmental fiscal year 2006 line items to another department’s fiscal year line items; and to pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.

Sponsored by:  Board of Selectmen. 

 

ARTICLE 9.  To see if the Town will vote to appropriate additional Cherry Sheet funds certified as available to the Town to various fiscal year 2006 Town Department line items; and to pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. 

Sponsored by:  Board of Selectmen.

 

ARTICLE 10.  To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from a combination of town accounts including Free Cash, Stabilization fund, Reserve Fund, and new Chapter 70 (Education), to fund various Town Departments.

Sponsored by:  School Committee

 

ARTICLE 11.  To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $137,350, which is new money received from the state Chapter 70 (Education Funds.)  This money will be transferred from the Town’s general fund to the School Department’s Line item for the use of the School Department.

Sponsored by:  School Committee.

 

ARTICLE 12.  To see if the Town will vote to provide $120,000 for a design and engineering study for the creation of a Senior/Community Center that will serve as a location for the Council on Aging, Parks and Recreation Department and multiple community activities on the property commonly known as Pine Knoll.  The funding of the motion is to be provided by a debt exclusion; and to pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.

Sponsored by:  Board of Selectmen 

 

ARTICLE 13.  We, the undersignes, petition to see if the Town will vote to appropriate and transfer a sum of money from the general fund undesignated fund balance, in the amount of $150,000 for police salaries and in the amount of $50,000 for fire fighter salaries; and to pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.

Sponsored by:  Petition of Faith Gentile and others.

 

ARTICLE 14.  We, the undersigned registered voters residing in the town of East Longmeadow, are requesting the addition of an article to the warrant for the Special Town Meeting set to take place on August 15, 2005 to authorize the transfer of a sum of money totaling $600,000 from the Free Cash, Stabilization, and Reserve funds to the School, Police, and Fire Department Budgets in the respective amounts of $462,731, $100,000, and $37,269.

Sponsored by:  Petition of Carolyn Knight and others.  

 

 

 

ARTICLE 15.  We support the Gifted and Talented Program and request it be reinstated in the ELPS.  Restore full or partial funding from the Town’s Reserve Accounts.  1.  Grades K-8-BPMS, MS + MV, MB- 3 Full Time and one Full Time/Split positions-$204,299.  2.  Gr 3-8-BPMS, MS + MV- Two Full Time and one Full Time/Split position $162,292.  3.  GR 6-8-BPMS-One Full Time Position $48,824.     

Sponsored by:  Petition of Leon Thibodeau and others.

 

 

                      Given under our hands this August 1, 2005:

 

                                  

                                                                                        John M. Claffey, Chairman

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

                                                                James Driscoll

 

 

                                                                Gary DeLisle

                                                                                        BOARD OF SELECTMEN

 

Note to residents:  Residents are asked to remember to bring this copy of the Special Town Meeting Warrant with them to the Town Meeting as only a limited number of additional copies will be made available.  If any attendee has any special needs to participate at this Special Town Meeting, please contact the Town’s ADA Coordinator, Nick Breault, Executive Secretary, at 525-5400, ext. 420. 

Note: All non-voters may be asked to sit in alternate seating.