Westford Town Meeting: When, What's Being Voted On

WESTFORD, MA — Annual Town Meeting will be held at 9 a.m. June 12 outside on the turf field at the Westford Academy Trustees Field, 30 Patten Road.

Here's a look at what will be voted on:

Article 1 accepts the 2020 Annual Town Reports.
Article 2 appropriates $144,202 from Free Cash to supplement the Snow & Ice budget.
Article 3 appropriates $102,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of providing funds to address issues regarding perchlorate DEP requirements.
Article 4 considers Fiscal Year 2021 capital appropriations.

Article 5 appropriates $157,000 from the Sale of Cemetery Lots Receipts Reserved for the care, improvements and embellishments, or the enlargement of the Pine Grove Cemetery and appropriates $128,000 for improvements and embellishments, or the enlargement of the Pine Grove Cemetery and would authorize the town to borrow the funding required for this project (2/3 majority vote).
Article 6 appropriates $1,212,504 from available Community Preservation fund balances to Community Housing Reserve, Westford Conservation Commission, The Healthy Lakes and Ponds Collaborative and the Westford Historical Commission. and authorizes the town to appropriate the sum of $2,000,000 from the Community Preservation fund for the planning, design, development, and construction of a 35-unit mixed income senior residential affordable housing project located at 35 Town Farm Road.

Article 7 amends the Wage and Classification Plan to adjust the Highway Superintendent Pay Band from Band 7 to Band 6.
Article 8 establishes the annual limitations on expenditures from all town and school revolving accounts.
Article 9 establishes the Fiscal Year 2022 operating budget in the amount of $122,823,671.
Article 10 considers the following Fiscal Year 2022 capital appropriation of $45K for vehicles.

Article 11 appropriates the proceeds due to the town through M.G.L. Chapter 90.
Article 12 authorizes the transfer of $29,511 from the Water Enterprise Other Post Employment Stabilization Fund to the Water Enterprise Expenses to pay for Fiscal Year 2022 retiree benefits.
Article 13 authorizes the Select Board to accept easements for sidewalk, drainage, or other utility purposes.
Article 14 amends the town’s vote under Article 16 of the 2020 Annual Town Meeting by adding three alternate members to the Affordable Housing Trust.
Article 15 is a citizens’ petition which calls upon the United States Congress to pass and send to the States for ratification an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that would firmly establish two principles:

1) Only human beings, not artificial entities such as corporations, are entitled to the rights and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, and

2) election spending is not free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment, and is therefore subject to regulation by federal and state governments.

Article 16 is a citizens’ petition which authorizes the Select Board to petition the General Court for one additional Alcohol Beverages Retail License to be exercised by Feng You, Inc., 175 Littleton Road.
Article 17 is a citizens’ petition which restricts motorboats on Keyes Pond.
Article 18 amends the General and Zoning Bylaws to reflect inclusive language (2/3 majority vote).
Article 19 establishes a municipal charges lien pursuant to General Laws Chapter 40, Section 58 for unpaid stormwater utility fees assessed by the Town pursuant to Chapter 94 of the Town of Westford General Bylaws.
Article 20 amends the Zoning Bylaw to permit Home Occupations by right in the Residence A and B Zoning Districts.
Article 21 amends Zoning Bylaw Section 10.2, Appendix A and B to allow restaurant drive-through facilities in certain zoning districts by Special Permit from the Planning Board. The Planning Board is seeking feedback from residents relative to this article. Read more: Should Westford Allow Drive-Thru Windows

Article 22 amends Zoning Bylaw Section 9.5.1 to not allow a proposed Zoning Bylaw change to return to Town Meeting for two years after an unfavorable vote (2/3 majority vote).
Article 23 amends Zoning Bylaw to expand the Board of Assessors’ Zoning Overlay District Map for Senior Residential Multifamily Overlay Districts.

Find more details here: https://westfordma.gov/Documen...