Selectmen Discuss Petitioners' Articles for Warrant

Selectmen Tuesday afternoon discussed several petitioners’ articles submitted for inclusion in the 2012 Annual Town Meeting warrant. 

The articles run the gamut from modifying what goods can be sold at gas stations in Wayland to altering the budget process and makeup of the town’s Finance Committee. 

The Town of Wayland website features descriptions of all articles submitted for inclusion in the warrant and notes that the articles are not in their final order, nor is the warrant finalized. The articles "are subject to nonsubstantive revisions between now and the time the Warrant is finalized."

A quick summary of the petitioners' articles, as well as relevant comments from the meeting, is below.

Resolution in support of funding electronic voting through June 30, 2015.

voters to agree to fund electronic voting through FY15, and asks the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee to include sufficient funds in each year's omnibus budget to accomplish the task.

Article to revoke acceptance of Community Preservation Act

This article asks voters to end the town's acceptance of CPA funds; however, Town Administrator Fred Turkington said during Tuesday's meeting that Town Counsel Mark Lanza advised that this article is invalid. The town voted by ballot to accept CPA funds and must, therefore, revoke acceptance by the same method.

Turkington advised that the petitioners could ask the town to pass over the article at the Annual Town Meeting or could withdraw it.

Amend bylaws pertaining to budget preparation and review

This article calls for a change in the makeup of the Finance Committee to include two members appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one member appointed by the School Committee and four members elected during the town election.

It also dictates that the Board of Selectmen will prepare the town’s annual budget and the FinCom will serve as “the fiscal advisory body” and will make “recommendations on the prudent management of the financial affairs of the Town.”

It provides processes for establishing this system and replacing members mid-year.

Audit of the Wayland Public Schools

This article directs the town to ratify a School Committee vote and request the department of the state auditor to audit the fee-based accounts, programs, activities and other public functions of Wayland Schools for FY07-FY12.

Appropriate funds to analyze Wayland Public School’s compensations

This article directs the town to appropriate $16,000 to analyze the labor contracts and compensation policies of Wayland Public Schools and to assist in the next round of negotiations. The article will also determine from where the $16,000 will come.

Adopt a bylaw to require tax rate hearing

This article, if passed, would require the Board of Assessors and other boards and directors who approve or certify information for the Tax Rate Recapitulation sheet to hold a tax rate hearing at least 14 days before the tax rates are submitted to the Commissioner of Revenue.

Amend the Zoning Bylaw with regard to auto service stations

The amended bylaw would allow auto service stations to display and sell “tobacco products, beverages, coffee, snacks, confectioneries, health and beauty aids, lottery, ATM, prepackaged foods, prepackaged sandwiches, prepackaged pastries, novelty items, seasonal merchandise” and limited grocery items. 

It also seeks to allow more flexibility in driveway configuration for auto service stations. 

Article [to] establish and fund an audit committee

This article petitions for the establishment of an audit committee to be comprised of one member appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one member to be appointed by the School Committee, one member to be appointed by the Town Moderator, and two members to be elected at the annual town election.

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The Finance Committee will hold a warrant hearing on Monday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.

Editor's Note: To clarify, state law requires that all correctly submitted petitioners' articles be included in the warrant. Selectmen discussed the articles above as the ones submitted for the 2012 Annual Town Meeting Warrant.