Finance Commission Public Hearing

 

1.              Revision to Section 5B (1)(e) of Article 17, Westwood Board of Health Hazardous Materials Bylaw. This section describes what must be included in a Hazard Prevention Plan that each qualifying business must provide to the Board of Health to register under the bylaw. One section currently requires that businesses provide hard copies of Material Safety Data Sheets when registering under the Bylaw. The Board proposes to allow businesses to provide a CD-Rom containing the Material Safety Data Sheets instead of requiring hard copies. 

 

2.              Amendment of Sections 2.0, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.3.2, and 4.3.3 Related to Agricultural Uses

This article proposes certain amendments related to agricultural uses, including the addition of a new definition for “Agricultural Use, Exempt” in accordance with MGL Chapter 40A, Section 3, and changes to the use chart to permit “Non-Exempt Agricultural Uses” by special permit in certain zones. These proposed changes would not affect any current or future proposal for agricultural uses on lots of 5 acres or more. The proposed definition would clarify what constitutes an exempt agricultural use, while the proposed changes to the use chart would require Planning Board approval for future agricultural uses on lots of less than 5 acres.

3.              Amendment of Section 2.0 Related to Definition for “Lot Width” 

This article proposes a new definition for “lot width” in response to a request from the Building Inspector to clarify the definition as it applies to irregularly shaped lots. Under the current definition, lot width is calculated at the foremost point of any structure on a lot. Under the proposed definition, the lot width would be calculated at the foremost point of the principal structure, or in the case of a vacant lot, at the point of minimum front setback distance.

4.              Amendment of Section 6.1 Related to Off-Street Parking Requirements

This article proposes changes to that section of the Zoning Bylaw which sets forth requirements for off-street parking. The proposed amendments are intended to clarify the requirements for the distribution of landscaping within large parking lots, and to clarify the number of parking spaces required for various uses including exempt and non-exempt agricultural uses and educational uses.

5.              Miscellaneous Housekeeping Items

This article proposes certain minor amendments, as necessary, to correct, clarify or interpret certain misleading or confusing sections of the Zoning Bylaw. 

6.              Appropriation to complete the design and bid specifications for the proposed new library.

 

7.              Road improvements.

8.              Approval of layout – Westwood Station Boulevard – Canton Street.

9.              Approval of layout – Westwood Station Boulevard – Canton Street intersection.

10.          Zoning amendments – Mixed Use Overlay District.

11.          Westwood Station state funding – possible support for an application by the developer for state infrastructure funding.

12.          Acceptance of Chapter 59 of Section 5 of MA General Laws - modification of the maximum annual income qualifying an elderly household wishing to defer property taxes. The proposed language will not seek to establish an exact dollar amount, but rather tie the dollar limit to the amount referenced in MA General Laws so this limit will automatically adjust whenever there is a change in Chapter 59 Section 5 of MA General Laws.

13.          Authorization to establish a Charter Commission to consider revisions to the Town’s Charter which was first adopted in 1970 and last reviewed by a Charter Commission in 1986. 

14.          Land acquisition – open space - provide the Board of Selectmen with an opportunity to seek authorization and funding to purchase one or more parcels of open space which may be offered to the Town.

15.          Moving of Colburn School building - this Article would seek Town Meeting approval and funding to move the Colburn School from its current location to a location yet to be defined.

16.          Construction of cemetery barn behind the Obed Baker House - appropriation for funds necessary to construct a historic three bay garage (barn) behind the Obed Baker House to be used to house cemetery equipment and supplies.  

17.          Miscellaneous articles.

 

 

18.          That the Town increase the number of the members of the Board of Selectman from the current number of three (3) to five (5) members commencing in 2010; further, that one of the members shall be elected from each of the towns precincts and one at large; additionally no more than two (2) members shall be elected and/or reside in any one precinct. Each of the members shall serve a three year term, and no more than two shall be elected in any one year, except for 2010, when three shall be elected, and one of those elected, one shall be for only one year, but in 2011, one member shall seek re-election for a three year term. The one receiving the second or at large position, shall seek re-election. The at large person shall be determined by the second person elected from any one precinct.

 

 (Petitioner: David Feyler, 20 Baker Street)

19.          Commencing as of the year 2010, no member of the Board of Selectmen shall be elected for more three consecutive terms. Any prior member seeking to continue to serve the residents of the Town of Westwood may seek to be elected to the position after a one year hiatus and may continue to serve an additional three consecutive terms, if so elected. This cycle may continue so long as any individual continues to be elected.

 

 

20.          That effective 2010, the Town Election shall take place on the first Saturday in May and the Town Meeting moved to the to the Third Tuesday in May.