Even if voters turn down the proposal to fund the $30 million high school upgrade at Town Meeting on June 6, the ballot vote the following Saturday, June 11, must still be held, and supporters of the project will have another chance to make their wishes known.
So says Town Clerk Danielle Sicard, who sent selectmen a memo that was read at Thursday's meeting. It had been assumed that if the proposal failed at town meeting, the subsequent ballot vote authorizing the project would be cancelled. But Sicard said once the receipt of the exact wording is received at the Town Clerk's office by May 6, the official process of holding the election begins. Once the warrant for the election is posted, a minimum of seven days before the election, and/or when the absentee ballot voting has begun, generally three weeks prior to the election, the election cannot be cancelled without a court order.
"Should the appropriation of funds fail at the June 6, 2011 Special Town Meeting, and the ballot question pass at the election on June 11, another special town meeting could be called to again consider the funding for the project," Sicard said.
"The Department of Revenue has indicated that as long as the funding is for the "same project,' the debt exclusion will apply. Generally, this means that the project must be funded within approximately one year of the debt exclusion vote," she said.
Chairman Robert Kimball told the board, "If it fails (at the special town meeting,) and passes by a majority (at the election,) we have 90 days to call another special town meeting." He pointed out the article at the special town meeting must pass by a 2/3 vote.
"Don't assume if it fails on the 6th that's the end," Kimball said. "If you feel strongly about it, you must come out and vote."
Sicard also submitted a list of what it will cost the town to hold the regular town meeting ($1,956.25,) the Special Town Meeting ($8,757.50,) and the special election ($8,271.52.)
The special town meeting funding is higher because of the services needed from cable access and public safety, in addition to the normal school custodian fees. Extra chairs will be needed, as well as shuttle service.
The special election requires election workers, police, custodians, data processing, printing costs, clerical worker and salaries for office staff.
A second special town meeting, if held, would add to the cost.
Estimates for attendance at the Special Town Meeting range from 1,000 to 3,000 people, and the board is preparing to get together with all the required players, from public safety to cable access, in addition to all involved town staff and committee members, to prepare for the overflow crowd.
Sicard is expected at next week's selectmen's meeting to discuss the process.
William
11:43 am on Sunday, March 27, 2011
Good information to know. If this is standard procedure than a change in procedure may be necessary.
Rage
11:41 am on Monday, March 28, 2011
This election on June 11th should be cancelled regardless of what ever happens at Town Meeting on the 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th. Why was the Election planned so close to Town Meeting in the first place?? Can't we have a 60 or 90 day down time so both sides can prepare? Or is it one of those things that must be done quick before the Voters have time to have a reasonable discussion on it? I find the whole set-up a little suspicious and not quite above board myself.
Bill Gouveia
12:35 pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
I have my own ideas on how this should have all been done, but let me clear up a few misconceptions:
The election needed to happen sometime in June because the offer of funds from the state will not wait much longer. There was and is a deadline, so I have been told. The Town Meeting and the election are usually held pretty close together in every town. I do not believe there is any intent to do anything to stifle discussion by anyone. There is going to be lots of discussion. The election is more than 60 days away right now, so there will be no surprises and lots of time to gather information. Personally, I would have liked to have seen the election held before the Town Meeting, but in the end the townspeople will be able to have theri complete say.
Deniz
2:03 pm on Monday, March 28, 2011
I respectfully disagree with Rage, though I am glad that they want an informed discussion. I think one year is more than enough time to make an informed decision about this project. The feasibility portion was approved at the town meeting last June. A week does not go by without me reading or hearing about this project. I get that it is a complicated issue and we are talking about a large sum of money. That is why you should start doing your research now. Don't wait until the town meeting to hear the arguments either for or against this. Find out all you can now. Ask questions. Don't let your neighbor, friend, etc make this decision for you. Go to one of the many meetings that are being held to discuss this project. I found that they are willing to discuss the project at length and present their case. Go to a School Committee meeting and asky why this renovation makes sense for you. Weigh both sides of the argument and decide which one makes sense. Come town meeting time you should be able to walk in and say not just "I am voting yes/no" but "I am voting yes/no because...." Every voter in Norton should go to both the town meeting and the polls the following Saturday to cast an informed vote. You owe it to yourself. And you might be surprised by what you find out.