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Sudbury’s Town Meeting continued on Tuesday, May 6. Walking into the building, residents were spotted handing out flyers, and holding signs in support, or opposition, of multiple different articles. That included sign holders in support of Article 34 – the Atkinson Pool funds – and flyers in opposition to Article 54, a citizen petition to cut the Community Preservation Act surcharge in half. That set the tone for the night.
The hall was more energetic than the night prior when Town Moderator Cate Blake called the meeting to order. But Town Meeting hit a snag. The clicker system failed during the test question. The moderator informed the room they would reboot the system while the presentation began. And then microphones proceeded to malfunction around the room.
The meeting picked up with Article 19 – an article to establish a revolving fund for electric vehicle chargers. That largely set the tone for the night. After being pulled off consent, there were just a couple comments before the vote was called. It passed 175-38. But not before the microphones scared everyone in the hall out of their skin with a loud shrieking noise that made people literally jump. Once all the residents had the perforated ear drum they came for, the meeting continued. Here’s the running tally on the votes for the night:
Article 19 – EV Chargers Revolving Fund – passed 175-38.
Article 24 – Indefinitely postponed.
Article 26 – Weights & Measures Fees – it passed 230-9
Article 27 – The Specialized Stretch Energy Code – Rami Alwan, Chair of the Energy & Sustainability Committee delivered a comprehensive presentation on the article. The Select Board supported the article and member Charlie Russo delivered an emphatic statement supporting the article. But the first three residents in the hall offered strong criticism of the article. Another member of the Energy & Sustainability Committee, Olga Faktorovich Allen made a comment rebutting some of the prior comments and supporting the article. Opponent Hank Sorett asked for a Town Counsel opinion on whether or not the code applied to existing houses under certain conditions. Town Counsel declined to offer an opinion, and the vote came in 168-118. It passed.
Article 28 – Accessory Dwelling Unit Bylaw – A resident made a motion to amend. That failed 33-240. Article 28 passed 225-51.
Article 29 – Purchase of a Fire Engine – This one passed 268-9 with little debate.
Article 30 – Ambulance replacement – Passed 270-11.
Article 31 – Roads, Culverts and Drains – This one zipped right through, passing 263-18.
Article 34 – Atkinson Pool Renovation Additional Funds – Two Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School swimmers commented early during the discussion. Their passionate, first-person accounts seemed to seal the outcome of the vote. A few comments and questions later, and the vote tally came in 209-23, with applause and cheers erupting in the crowd.
Article 35 – DPW Emergency Operations Center Cost Share – Passed easily 185-21
Articles 40/41 – School Roofs – Both were indefinitely postponed.
Article 42 – Sudbury 250 Committee Funds – Passed 189-12
Article 43 – Acquisition of MBTA Buildings – It passed 186-14.
It’s not done yet. A third night commences tomorrow night at 7:30 P.M.
