Special Meeting, Special Events Slated in Williamstown
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Rather than open up the school for "what amounts to a journal entry," Town Manager Peter Fohlin proposed the Selectmen hold the special town meeting during their regular meeting on Sept. 8.
"There are no taxpayer dollars involved," said Fohlin. "And no good argument for raising fees."
In fact, the transfer station account is showing a plus — just in the wrong column.
One of the town's three enterprise accounts, the transfer station supports itself through fees. The revenues generated are used toward the town's annual budget. At town meeting, voters appropriated $190,685 in anticipated transfer station receipts for fiscal 2009; but the account came up short, only $184,564.
That won't fly with the state Department of Revenue, which reviews the town's accounts before it can set its tax rate, said Fohlin. "They want to make sure all our accounts are in order."
That means the town has to add $6,200 to the revenue account — but it won't have to raise rates to cover the gap. "Not only did the revenues go down, the disposal costs did as well," said Fohlin.
The transfer station is actually showing a profit of $20,000 because people are apparently being more conscientious in reducing the amount of trash they're tossing out.
"I agree it's certainly much more efficient to have our town meeting right here," said Selectman Richard Steege. Chairwoman Jane Allen said the proposal was "remarkably creative."
"It also gives an answer to what we're inevitably asked: 'How much does it cost to run a town meeting,' we can say 'nothing,'" said Fohlin.
The town has no quorum rule, so even if no registered voters attend, the board can vote the issue. The town moderator and the town clerk or her substitute will have to attend. Voters are, of course, welcome to attend.
The Selectmen also:
The field is owned by Williams College but because the money was from CPA funds, the town must have physical rights to the field, requiring the lease. The license will allow Cal Ripken to build and operate the structures on the land. The group will still have to go through the permitting process.
In response to questions from Selectman David Rempell, Fohlin said the town has no responsibility for maintainance or upkeep or to provide utilities but does have responsibilities to the college should the structures fall into disrepair. "The college does have the right to tell us to fix it or tear it down," said Fohlin. He estimated it would take a day for town crews to dismantle them.
The event will include lots of different hikes, activities and refreshments. The goal is for it to become the organization's signature annual event, she said. "We hope it will become a really fun community event."
MassHighway requires communities be aware of events occuring along their roadways, said organizer Lisa Carey Moore, and provide permission in writing.
Steege wondered at the "appropriateness of having this in the cemetery and the chapel." Haubrich said the House of Local History was helping frame it so it wouldn't be "disrespectful." She expected to return to the Selectmen to keep them updated on the progress.
Allen noted that Faber had no experience in selling alcohol: "I want to let you know how serious that job is."
"I take it very seriously," said Faber. "My name is on the license."
He planned to take Training for Intervention Procedures, or TIPS, and educate staff as well.
The last day to register to vote in the primary is Aug. 27.
