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5 Things Approved at Town Meeting

Milford Town Meeting voters approved all warrant articles Monday, but not after significant debate for at least one item.

 

Editor's Note: Milford Patch covered the 2012 Annual Town Meeting using the Cover it Live platform, and tried to include some of the debate as it unfolded. View that post here if you want full coverage. Or, view the attached PDF of the 34-article warrant. If you prefer a quick recap of the highlights, read on:

1. The most significant debate of the three-plus hour meeting came on Article 18, which asked members to authorize $1 million for a feasibility study to examine and make recommendations on how to improve or replace Woodland Elementary School. Voters approved the measure 110 to 51.

2. A related article, which creates an appointed School Building Committee, was approved only after the membership was shifted to draw less heavily on School Committee appointees. The membership of 15 people will now include more representatives appointed by Milford Selectmen and the town moderator.

3. A noise bylaw, which will give police authority to determine if certain loud noises are excessive or overly intrusive for neighbors, was approved with no debate, by a vote of 123 to 26. The bylaw will take effect following review by the state Attorney General's Office, expected by the end of August.

4. The town's fiscal 2013 operating budget of $81 million was approved with only limited discussion. This represents about a 2 percent increase. One member questioned increasing expenses for personnel services; part of that increase is for unemployment insurance.

5. Town elections will now fall on Tuesdays, instead of Mondays. The article, addressed late in the night, will make it easier for town elections staff to prepare sites for elections, as the existing precincts are in locations that often have Sunday events.

About this column: This column will feature stories relating to the Annual Town Meeting. Related Topics: Annual Town Meeting

Eleanor

7:46 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

THANK GOODNESS We have some sort of bylaw in place now! Is there any way we can read exact wording of the bylaw sometime soon?

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Mary MacDonald

7:55 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Hi Eleanor, I will attach a copy of the warrant to the story, which includes the bylaw. I just need to check that it wasn't amended after the warrant was published. I'll let you know.

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Eleanor

7:56 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Also, does this go into law immediately?

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Mary MacDonald

7:58 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

I'll ask; it's Article 24 on the warrant just attached. There may be a few exemptions added to it, just need to check..

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Mary MacDonald

10:55 am on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Eleanor, the bylaw as written in the attached PDF is what was approved Monday by Town Meeting. It reflects a few changes made since the bylaw was first put before voters last October, including more specific exemptions for public and private snow removal. The bylaw will take effect in about 90 days, after a required review by the state Attorney General's Office, this according to town counsel Gerald Moody.

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