BOS opposes petitions for Chapman St., election

The Board of Selectmen, in an initial vote Tuesday night, came out against a pair of citizens’ petitions proposing curb improvements to Chapman Street and a change in the town election season from April to November. Both petitions have been submitted onto the 2014 warrant and will be discussed at the annual town meeting on May 11.

Both votes were 3-1 with Selectman Victor Del Vecchio supporting the proposals and selectmen Bob Burr, Avril Elkort, and Chairman Sal Salvatori opposed. Selectman John Connolly was absent, recovering at home from shoulder surgery.

On the Chapman Street proposal, selectmen agreed that the roadway is currently one of the busiest in Canton and poses safety challenges for pedestrians and runners. However, those who opposed the petition — which asks for funding to upgrade the sidewalk curbing — said they need more information on costs and alternative plans as well as additional input from the DPW regarding the condition of the road in relation to others. Burr said it is the policy of selectmen and the DPW to repair roads based on the severity of the road condition.

On the election change, Del Vecchio said the move would increase voter awareness and participation and encourage more contestants to run. Just recently, only 428 voters, or roughly 3 percent, of the total electorate turned out for the town election, which featured no races and one ballot question.

Both Elkort and Burr felt that the town election should remain in April so that local elections are not overlooked amid the state and federal elections. They also cited the additional expenses voiced by Town Clerk Tracy Kenney for extra poll workers and the confusion of having double ballots. Burr and Salvatori agreed that there is no compelling evidence that changing the town election to November would directly increase voter participation. In addition, they noted that the state and federal elections are held every other year in November.

Del Vecchio said if the town clerk feels that more workers are needed, then the town should consider raising the wages of polling workers since they are now paid under the minimum wage.

In other town meeting news, selectmen said they likely will support the School Committee in its request to use a $32,000 surplus from the Blue Hills Regional School budget to supplement its budget for next year.

Salvatori said of the 33 town meeting articles, 10 have been placed on a consent agenda, meaning they are procedural or have been withdrawn. They are articles 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 19, 22, 27, 29, and 30.

See this week’s Canton Citizen for more highlights from the April 15 selectmen’s meeting.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 17 2014. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.