Special Town Meeting
The town is planning to hold a fully remote special Town Meeting in February, according to Town Administrator Patrice Garvin.
The meeting is scheduled for Feb. 10., with a second night on Feb. 12, if needed.
Among the warrant articles will be one addressing the new state law on accessory dwelling units.
Select Board Opens Warrant for Annual Town Meeting
The Select Board opened the warrant for the May 5 annual Town Meeting.
The warrant will remain open until Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. Residents will have until then to submit citizen’s petitions.
“We are leaving this open for four weeks, so there is time,” said Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne.
Financial interest
Community Preservation Committee Chair Aaron Pikcilingis, who lives across the street from Chenery Park, shared with Select Board members Monday night that while he feels he can be impartial about the proposed project at the park, the state ethics board felt he should recuse himself from all CPC project discussions.
“I agree with that take, but I think it’s unduly conservative,” he said. “I think I’m capable of behaving impartially when it comes to those projects.”
Instead, he asked the Select Board if he should recuse himself solely from the Chenery Park vote instead of from all conversations related to the CPC.
Select Board members agreed that Pikcilingis was capable of impartiality.
“I also was a bit surprised at the conservativeness, but I also thought that taken to its logical conclusion, it kind of makes sense,” said Vice Chair Matt Taylor. “I could see how it could be abused by a different person in a different situation.”
Chair Elizabeth Dionne, who recruited Pikcilingis for the committee, said she favored him recusing or abstaining from the Chenery vote. She would, however, like him to be able to run the committee and discuss or vote on other project proposals.
“Your vote is one of nine votes on the committee; it’s not going to be a decisive vote anyway,” said member Roy Epstein, noting he supported Pikcilingis in the position so long as he continued to disclose the necessary financial interests.
An official vote on the wording of the Disclosure of Interest will be voted on at a future board meeting.
Board Votes to Disband Youth Commission
The Select Board voted Monday to disband the Youth Commission and instead bring it under the Recreation Department as a program.
Recreation Director Brandon Fitts explained the Youth Commission charge, as it’s currently written, is “rather restrictive” in allowing the Recreation Department to expand Youth Commission opportunities.
In modifying the structure so that it exists as a program rather than a commission, a committee would be formed with three committees within it: a marketing committee, a service committee, and a programming committee.
“What we have is a committee run by youth, but with adult scaffolding,” said Program Coordinator Sarah Boyle.
Menorah Lighting Approved
The Select Board approved a request from the Center for Jewish Life to host a Community-Wide Candle Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 26.
The event will take place at the Town Delta in front of M&T Bank from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The menorah will remain lit through Jan. 2, 2025.
Board Approves Hanami Request to Extend Business Closing Hours
Hanami Sushi Bar and Grill, located at 89 Trapelo Road, has been permitted to remain open until 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, extending their New Year’s Eve hours.
License Renewals
The Select Board renewed a number of licenses, including one Lodging House License, one Class I License, five Class II Licenses, four Livery Licenses, and 42 Common Victualler Licenses.
Additionally, the Select Board approved 16 liquor license renewals, some for all alcohol and others for wine and malt liquor. Two club licenses were renewed.
A new common victualler license was approved for Thai Noodle Cafe at 289 Belmont St.
