We're Live at Town Meeting

9:59 p.m.: Apologies for some technical difficulties. Apparently we were having some connectivity issues.

We're back now and they are discussing Article 36 Amendment- some typographical changes to the Natick Charter.

Interesting to note that I witnessed at least half a dozen people walk out and head for the doors. between 9:52 and 9:59. And of course one more gentleman just left. He did not look like he was coming back.

It's 10:01 p.m. right now. Someone just made a point of order. It appears Town Meeting has stopped. I don't know why, but all is quiet except for some murmuring among the members.

A quorum is not present- that means not enough people are left. They are forced to adjourn for the evening. Until next Tuesday...

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9:35 p.m.: Article 35

And Town Clerk Diane Packer has come to the podium. The town counsel has temporarily sat in her spot at the clerk's table.

This has something to do with organizing Natick's by-laws into chapters, etc.

There are some questions. They seem to be about how chapters were chosen and how the table of contents was put together. I'm starting to think the most fascinating part of Town Meeting is seeing what parts are important to people and what seems to interest them most.

There's a motion to refer this to the sponsors- the Board of Selectmen.

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Article 34 alcohol license for center for the arts in Natick

Rick Jennett, precinct 7. He is a Selectman, but is not speaking as one. He is speaking as a Board of Director for TCAN. Wants Selectment to petition legislature to grant them alcohol license for on-premise. They have gotten temporary about 30 times each year over last 7 years. They have never had a problem with police, according to Jennett.

TCAN sees it as an amenity, good for Natick economy. This will also have to go to BOS after legislature, according to Jennett.

A member who volunteers at concession stand says this is something they should pass. It'll help keep people coming, he said.

I don't see a single person who opposed the motion. It has passed.

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9:27 p.m.: Josh Ostroff makes a motion to move article 33 to Tuesday. Someone with conservation (didn't catch title) couldn't be here due to family reasons. It passes unanimous.

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9:19 p.m.: Right into it in Article 31. Remember, this was discussed earlier and they are now going back to it.

Brendan Moss is up at the podium again. He's really earning his salary tonight. He's been called upon more tonight than the other attorney was in all four previous nights combined.

Someone just made some sort of motion. Unfortunately, they did not speak into the microphone so I couldn't hear what they said. You'll know when I do. I promise.

A member is explaining the law. He says you don't put in unnecessary words. Only use them if they add something. Interesting.

I believe someone else made a motion. Wait, I get it now. They're moving on the amendment. Vote to close debate. I think one person voted against.

Voting to the amendment. Take out the words "or relocate" from the amendment. There's maybe 10 people raising their hands. Maybe 12. Clearly people are opposed.

It fails.

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8:55 p.m.: Selectmen Chair Carol Gloff moves to take article 31 off the table. A whole bunch of people shout out "second!"

Foss makes a joke about everyone in the room seconding the motion.

Foss says we need a vote to take the article off the table. There is a majority vote.

Gloff is now speaking. She argues against the amendment for reasons she hopes are [something] from article 32.

Josh Ostroff is now speaking. We're going from one Selectman to another Selectman. I'd be interested in seeing another Selectman, but there are several other hands up and it looks like someone else is going to get a chance to speak.

Someone asked a question just now. Foss calls on Moss to answer. I did not understand his question, but I'm always interested in seeing Attorney Moss try to answer. He doesn't seem as comfortable answering questions as the other lawyer (name is slipping my mind) who has been here on all the other nights. It makes for more interesting answers, and repeat follow-up questions. Maybe the other guy is just THAT good and that's why it seems that way. I don't know.

Question of the night: some hypothetical question that didn't make enough sense so Martha White could not provide the answer.

Foss responds: "No answer could be found for the question."

Give it up for the high school students who volunteer their time as pages. They could be hanging out with their friends or watching Thursday night TV, yet they've volunteered to assist in their local municipal government by running the microphone back-and-forth to Town Meeting members so they can be heard by everyone in attendance and those watching at home on TV.

By the way, one page, who is not on duty tonight, will be attending the University of Maine next year. Feel free to offer him congratulations in the comments section.

Meanwhile, one member has tried to ask the same question at least five times due to the fact that no one has been able to understand what he's trying to ask. I think his question is complicated. He did say he wants the motion to pass.

It went to a vote, and the amendment failed.

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Town Administrator Martha White is making a presentation. She has some sort of blueprint showing a homeowner who wants to build an addition of sorts and the drainage situation is not great so this will help with this.

This is article 32.

Something about abandonment of the line. White asks if she can refer to article 31. Foss said no.

A whole bunch of people are in favor. It passes by a two-third vote.

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8:37 p.m.: Article 31 (Amendment) Authorization for Board of Selectmen to accept, obtain, abandon and relocate utility easements.

Martha White, the Town Administrator, is explaining this article and how it is different from the standard article each year.

"Your favorable consideration will be appreciated," said White.

Brandon Moss, town counsel, answers a question about whether the word "private" should be in the motion. Moss says that would make it less flexible.

"It's a judgement call, but it's really...." Moss [something about easements].

Confused about what just happened. It's like suddenly they're moving fast... really fast.

Foss said something about setting this aside. So I guess there's no ruling on it passing or not.

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Article 27 Veterans Tax Work Off Program

Josh Ostroff is speaking as a member of the Board of Selectmen, the backer of this article. He mentions the valor act.

This would allow veterans to perform a service for the town and in exchange receive a discount on their property taxes. Natick does something similar for seniors, according to Ostroff.

He says they try to provide meaningful employment opportunities and help them with property taxes.

This would not have an age minimum for veterans.

Being asked to accept statute with two things- proxy health care worker can do. And also he mentioned something about $1,000- I didn't catch that.

There is a companion article- Article 28.

There are only a modest number of slots now. We don't want to overcommit. We don't want to set people's expectations unrealistically to start. -Ostroff

The first questioner- How do you define veterans?

Ostroff says under the law there is a lengthy definition but he doesn't feel comfortable trying to cite it.

A member of town counsel answers- sounds like basic answer, not less than 90 days, at least 1 war time, any branch. I think a couple others but that's the main part.

Paul Carew, Veterans Service Director in Natick, is answering a question about if someone needs to be from Massachusetts. He clarifies that someone does not need to originally be from Massachusetts in order to be considered a veteran so they are in fact eligible for this program. The only thing that matters is that the person is a veteran and a Natck tax payer, according to Ostroff.

Good question from a member- for veterans who aren't able to do the work themselves and don't have a proxy worker, would there be help available for them to find a proxy worker.

Ostroff said that they did discuss that and they don't have a blanket policy. It will be on a case-by-case basis. There also is some confidentiality involved with things like that, he notes.

The article passes by a majority. Not even close.

Article 28 is related to 27. It has something to do with confidentiality, but I don't understand it. It does pass unanimously.

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8:15 p.m.: Article 15 School Bus Transportation Subsidy Article

Foss said something about checking the record for a motion for postponement. Does that mean this may take place another night? Is he asking if this article may take place another night?

Foss asks to energize ourselves and refresh ourselves.

3 funding sources: school budget, bus fees and this subsidy.

Entering third year in contract with Michael J. Connolly.

A lot of hands are up for the vote. The members are for this one, passes by a majority vote.

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Motion 1 regarding water and sewer budget. It's Motion 1 under H. Moderator Frank Foss asks if there is debate on the matter. There is none. He takes the vote and it passes by a majority.

Article 12 Motion 2 Section H: Water user fees. Mr. Everett moves. Mr. Freedman seconds. It passes unanimously. I think everyone may have voted yet for that one.

Section I Motion 1- It went so fast I'm not sure what that's for. Money came from 3 different places, I believe. We're getting some sort of explanation. A 20-year bond has a golf course and a land fill. A main bond to build the course. Re-financing about $2 million in bonds. The largest is for the golf course. Going to market in 12 days. Will come back in fall, hopefully less rate (or something like that).

Foss asks for further debate. A very large majority makes it pass unanimously.

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We're up and running after a little technical difficulties. They're talking budget here in the auditorium at Natick High School.

One interesting thing about Town Meeting: it's typically the same group of people who stand and ask questions about the articles, motions, amendments, etc.

Another note from tonight: attendance seems to be down. The right side of the auditorium is close to empty.

Someone has asked earlier about a certain pension insurance plan. A gentleman just stood and said he believes that plan is only good for private business so the town couldn't do it. He admitted he wasn't sure, though.

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Good evening, and welcome to the fifth night of the 2013 Natick Spring Town Meeting.

We will be bringing you all the news, information and everything that's going on live throughout the night, so bookmark this page and make sure you keep coming back so you stay up-to-date on all that's happening.