MAC: Time for Canton Voters to Have Their Say

DID YOU KNOW …

The 2011 Canton Annual Town Meeting gets underway at 7:30 p.m. this coming Monday evening, April 25, at the Morse Auditorium at Canton High School, and voters will be able to discuss and vote on several important and controversial warrant articles.

Canton has the open town meeting form of government, which means any Canton registered voter can attend, speak, and vote. However, despite the fact that we have over 14,000 registered voters, only about 200-400 usually attend any of the sessions. Over $84 million will be appropriated by Canton town meeting voters for fiscal year 2012.

Among the controversial articles to be considered this year are the following:

* Warrant Article 37, which again seeks permission for the town to enter into a lease arrangement with the state to take over the run-down Ponkapoag Golf Course if the state declares it “surplus.”

* Warrant Article 34 is anther attempt to adopt the local option meals excise tax, which was killed by last year’s town meeting. The new tax would add a .75 percent excise tax on restaurant meals.

* Warrant Article 35 concerns the town’s acquisition of Reservoir Pond and Dam, assuming the present owner fulfills all conditions imposed on them.

* Warrant Article 17 seeks to rezone the long-vacant former Plymouth Rubber property on Revere Street, and MAC feels it’s about time someone does something about this eyesore and at the same time get some badly needed tax revenue for the town.

* Warrant Article 19 is sponsored by Police Chief Ken Berkowitz and seeks to recreate the old position of Deputy Police Chief, which has been vacant for the past few years.

* Warrant Article 14 seeks to amend the town’s zoning bylaw by adding a large-scale, ground-mounted solar photovoltaic installation overlay district at the old Pine Street Dump, which will allow the installation of a large number of electricity-generating solar panels at that location. Warrant Article 14 is being promoted by a four-member ad hoc committee called the “Green Team.” They suggest the size of the Pine Street solar park be increased from 15 to 40 acres.

* Warrant Article 28 is also being proposed by the “Green Team” and asks the town to adopt the controversial “stretch energy code,” which would establish a tough new construction code including strict efficiency standards for newly constructed homes, extremely rehabilitated homes, and new commercial construction.

* Warrant Article 24 seeks additional funds to enlarge the Kennedy Elementary School on Dedham Street.

* Warrant Article 39 again attempts to adopt the Community Preservation Act, which was easily defeated by Canton voters several years ago.

* Warrant Article 31 is being proposed by town Finance Director James Murgia and seeks to establish a tax-amnesty program from May 15, 2011, to June 30, 2011, and forgive half of the additional interest on back taxes if they are paid in full by June 30.

* Warrant Article 9 seeks to pay for the non-funded snow and ice removal cost, and Article 44 will seek voter approval of the town’s operating budget of over $70 million.

So you can see there are many important reasons for you to attend and vote at town meeting, and if you desire, make yourself heard.

Going on to other matters, it has been widely reported that the market for new homes is now the lowest it has been in years. As a matter of fact, the median price in the United States for new homes has fallen to $202,000, the lowest since 2003. To illustrate how bad the new home market is, back in 1963 when the U.S. population was about 190 million, 560,000 new homes were sold. Today, our population is 310 million, and the Commerce Department reports only 250,000 new homes were sold.

The Tri-County Regional Vocational High School District Committee has appointed Stephen F. Dockray of Canton as the school’s new superintendent director. He is the son of former Canton town treasurer Ed Dockray, and he will assume his new duties on July 31, 2011. Tri-County RVTHS is located in the town of Franklin and serves the towns of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham.

Joe Ronayne, Jr.

MAC was saddened at the recent passing of Joe Ronayne, Jr. as were his family and his many friends. Joe was just 50 years old when he lost his battle with cancer on April 6. Joe was a lifelong resident of Canton and a gifted athlete. He worked as a technician for Gorham Fire Appliance Co. in Quincy for 21 years.

Joe was a standout softball player in the Canton Softball League, playing for Salah & Pecci, and in 1987, for the Hannington’s State Slow Pitch championship team. In 1991, after playing for years against MAC’s softball team, Joe joined MAC’s team, which went on to win the Canton Softball League Championship, and Joe Ronayne was named the league’s most valuable player.

After softball, Joe took up golf where he also excelled. At the Wampatuck Country Club, he set the course record for 18 holes with a score of 68. He was a longtime member of the Canton Town Club and the Sons of the American Legion.

Joe married his longtime girlfriend, Karen MacDougal, five days before he passed away.

MAC will miss him and sends his sincere condolences to his wife, Karen; mother, Lucy; and his family.

It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

This is all for now folks. See you next week.

Joe DeFelice can be reached at manaboutcanton@aol.com.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=4495

Posted by Joe DeFelice on Apr 21 2011. Filed under Featured Content, Man About Canton, Opinion. Both comments and pings are currently closed.