ATM voters back town-sponsored sustainability goals

Canton voters ushered in a new era of environmental responsibility and accountability with the approval of a town-sponsored Sustainability/Climate Action roadmap at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting.

A total of 31 warrant articles were acted upon throughout the evening, and the session wrapped up after three-plus hours with all business concluded.

Article 27, supported by several town boards, including the Select Board and Finance Committee, authorizes the Select Board to work toward the development of a Sustainability-Climate Action Plan with targets for sustainability-related goals. The proposal also directs the board to examine the creation of a sustainability and climate manager position and to initiate the process to apply for available state and federal grants.

The proposal was approved by a clear majority of the 256 voters who attended Monday’s town meeting. It was the result of a collaboration between town officials, multiple town boards, and community leaders such as Jen Wexler, head of Canton Residents for a Sustainable, Equitable Future, and Tom Birmingham, who is spearheading the Canton Electricity Choice Program.

A proposal with similar goals was submitted on the warrant by a citizen petition, but according to the FinCom, “Considerable negotiation between the authors of the citizen-petition article and the town resulted in the creation of Article 27, which through it and related Select Board action would meet the goals of [the original citizen article] in both letter and in spirit.

FinCom Chair Cindy Thomas said the Sustainability/Climate Action Plan would consider a wide range of topics such as transportation issues, building designs, infrastructure, conservation of resources and public health concerns. While this specific article does not entail future costs, Thomas, reflecting the majority of FinCom members, said each of the future requests will need to be reviewed and approved by appropriate town departments, boards, and when applicable, future town meetings. The Select Board has been open to engaging a cross section of town stakeholders through a Sustainability Action Plan Steering Committee that will provide a report with recommendations.

The FinCom report noted that environmental and sustainability issues are pressing concerns for the town that require proactive monitoring and study. According to the FinCom report, “Getting ahead of the curve on these issues can promote sustainable economic development and a better quality of life in town while helping to protect the public from some negative outcomes of resource scarcity and environmental and climate change.”

The lone dissenting member of the FinCom was David Clough, who urged voters to reject the proposal. He said that while the article does not have a specific cost, there will be “substantial financial obligations in the future” for feasibility studies, legal and consulting fees, engineering design fees, construction fees and other unforeseen fees. Clough also noted that the town’s recently updated Master Plan outlines several climate change initiatives that have not been implemented, and Article 27, in his view, would create “needless redundancies” throughout the town. Clough added that the town cannot afford LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) conversion for its municipal buildings at this time, citing other looming projects such as the planned renovation/rebuild of the Galvin Middle School.

Others who spoke in opposition to the article echoed Clough’s position that the town’s resources could be put to better use by focusing on the Master Plan and other initiatives.

In other major news from Monday’s town meeting:

* Voters approved an amended financing plan put forth by the FinCom, Finance Director Randy Scollins, the Building Renovations Committee, Select Board, and the Library Board of Trustees to fund critical improvements/replacement of the library’s roof and HVAC system. The cost of the project is $3.931 million. The town will borrow $2.66 million and will use $1.173 million from free cash. Also, $98,133 will be transferred from funds left over from the Bolivar Pool project.

* Voters approved an article establishing the easements needed for the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to replace the single-lane Revere Court bridge with a two-lane bridge to accommodate two-way traffic and emergency vehicles. The project is currently in the design phase and will be paid for by MassDOT. The easements are also needed for a water main replacement project in the area that’s being undertaken by the town. Funding for this portion of the project was approved as part of the capital outlay program outlined in Article 15. Construction is expected to commence sometime in 2024.

* Voters approved a reserve fund transfer of $320,000 to enable the town to acquire the property at 27 Neponset Street for the purpose of constructing a parking lot (up to 20 vehicles). Project costs are not known at this time, but Select Board Chair John Connolly said the work will be done in-house by the DPW.

* During a special town meeting called at the beginning of the regular town meeting, voters approved two articles pertaining to easements. One was to resolve an issue related to a previously completed stormwater drainage project on York Street, and the other authorized the Select Board to convey easements to MassDOT for conservation land in Stoughton that is owned by Canton. MassDOT requires the easements to move forward with a road improvement project for a portion of Route 138. The land transfer is contingent upon approval by the state legislature, and if approved, the town would be entitled to receive matching conservation land for any land lost by the permanent easement.

* Additional free cash transfers were approved to bolster the Capital Stabilization Account ($1 million) for future projects, including the Galvin Middle School renovation; the Special Education Stabilization Account ($1 million); and to supplement the state Chapter 90 funding for roadway improvements ($740,000).

* Voters supported establishing new regulations for short-term rentals, such as those offered by Airbnb, and authorized the town to levy a 6 percent tax on rental fees per day. The regulations are designed to ensure that any property rented out is registered with the town and has been inspected for public health and public safety concerns.

* This year’s town meeting had two town moderators, Alan Hines and Dick Staiti. When articles were called concerning the Revere & Trust Heritage Trust, Staiti came on to replace Hines, who is an officer of the trust.

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Posted by Mike Berger on May 12 2023. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.