Canton’s annual town meeting kicks off Monday, May 8

Leasing of historic town properties, two key economic development proposals, and a robust CPA spending package are some of the many notable items up for consideration at the 2017 annual town meeting, which gets underway this coming Monday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in the CHS auditorium.

Check out this week’s Canton Citizen for an extended preview of ATM 2017.

In contrast to the past two town meetings, which featured major headliners such as the Plymouth Rubber rezoning proposal and tuition-free full-day kindergarten, this year’s warrant is characterized instead by variety and volume, with a whopping 59 articles covering everything from recreational marijuana sales to regulations for Reservoir Pond.

Interestingly, only two of the articles were filed by citizens, and neither one is expected to be heard on town meeting floor. Article 37, submitted by Bruce Rohr, sought to move annual town elections from early April to a two-week period in late March — a move intended to increase voter turnout and inspired by the success of the state’s new early voting program. However, while one Finance Committee member agreed with the idea, the majority felt there were too many unanswered questions and recommended that it be indefinitely postponed. The only other citizen article, calling for an electric utility easement for TreeTop Adventures, is not quite ready and is expected to be withdrawn.

Also recommended for indefinite postponement are a trio of street acceptance articles, although one of the streets in question, New Boston Drive, appears to have met the criteria to become a public way and could move forward under a substitute motion. Both Cedarcrest Road and Beatrice Way, however, are still not ready, according to the Planning Board.

Meanwhile, on the zoning front, the bulk of the proposed amendments are minor tweaks designed to clean up the bylaws and the zoning map, yet there are a couple of noteworthy changes, including the proposed rezoning of Canton’s golf courses in order to protect the town from overdevelopment if any of the courses were to be sold. Additionally, the town planner is encouraging a greater commitment to energy efficiency with the proposed adoption of the Stretch Energy Code and expanded definitions of manufacturing and scientific/research labs — two articles that would help pave the way for Canton to become a “Green Community” and gain eligibility for state grants.

The entire town meeting experience will then culminate with the appropriation of the FY18 operating budget, which the FinCom has set at $88.5 million — a healthy 4.9 percent increase over FY17. The first session will adjourn around 11 p.m. on Monday and will resume, if necessary, on Wednesday, May 10.

See this week’s Canton Citizen for an in-depth look at the 2017 town warrant. Click here to order your subscription today.

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Posted by Jay Turner on May 5 2017. Filed under Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.