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SPENCER – Zoning bylaw changes related to accessory apartments, a movement of funds to cover the Lake Street School demolition project and a mechanism to remove Finance Committee members are among the November 7 Special Town Meeting warrant articles that could prompt discussions.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and will be held in Town Hall’s great hall.
During several recent town board meetings, Town Administrator Jeff Bridges explained the zoning bylaw changes.
The issue is on the warrant because the town must update its law to comply with the state’s new requirements related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Under the new law, ADUs will be allowed in residential zones without a special permit. The accessory units (apartments) can be up to 900 square feet, must have a separate entrance through the outside or an entryway and cannot be a short-term rental, he explained.
In addition, the principal dwelling no longer must be owner-occupied and the accessory unit can be either detached or attached.
“State law trumps town law,” Bridges said.
Another article “moves around money,” because of a timing issue.
Bridges noted the town received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds following COVID. The Board of Selectmen approved $700,000 of those funds for the demolition of the Lake Street School. That project’s bid came in last year at $1.1 million, so it was put on hold while a grant was sought.
The town went on to receive an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfield Clean-Up grant totaling $500,000.
However, ARPA funds need to be under contract for expenditures by the end of the year, Bridges said.
Therefore, Selectmen in June voted to use ARPA money to pay for capital items totalling $699,803 previously approved at the May Town Meeting.
The warrant article proposes now shifting the free cash capital money to help pay for the clearing of the school, which closed in 2016 and remains in disrepair.
“It can be confusing,” Bridges noted.
Moderator Bill Shemeth put forth an article that would authorize him to remove a Finance Committee member for “cause.” Bridges said the town’s other appointing authorities have a process in place and this article would give the moderator the same.
The removal would take place following notice and the opportunity for a hearing. Included as “cause,” are neglect of duties, misconduct, violation of conflict of interest law, inability or refusal to perform responsibilities or findings by the Attorney General or State Ethics Commission.
The Finance Committee deferred making a recommendation on this article, pending more information.
Town Meeting will also be asked to increase appropriations to the operating budget. Requests include replenishing the FinCom reserve fund by $10,000 and increasing the overlay account for property tax exemptions and abatements by $18,000.
Also, $8,650 is requested for the police department expense account. Bridges explained that there are pending retirements and this money would fund an assessment center for promotional exams.
A request for $19,500 is to cover the transfer station’s “temporary solution,” while the town waited for a new trailer to be delivered. Hauling costs have also increased.
Bridges noted it has been “awkward,” for residents to use dumpsters to discard trash but added that the trailer has arrived and is in the process of getting registered.
Additional articles ask Town Meeting to pay prior year bills, consolidate accounts related to parks, purchase a new Parks and Recreation mower for $23,573 and acquire easements on Main and Ash Streets, related to sidewalk improvements and a water main upgrade. The town received a Complete Streets grant for the work.
On an article asking for debt authorization, Bridges noted the water department is responsible for replacing the water main on Route 9 as part of MassDOT’s (Department of Transportation) repaving of Route 9.
The town must enter into a partnership agreement with MassDOT and identify a source of funding before MassDOT awards a contract. Bridges said the town was notified it would be getting a $1.1 million grant, so it ultimately will not be borrowing funds.
