SPRING 2006 PRETOWN MEETING

1
SPRING 2006PRE-TOWN MEETING

• Bernard Lynch
• Town Manager
• April 19, 2006

2

• Town Meeting
• Overview

3
ARTICLE 1

• Reports of the
  Town Officers Committees
• I move that the Town hear reports
  of the Town Officers and
  Committees
• Board of Selectmen

4
ARTICLE 2
Late Bills

• I move that the Town authorize the payment of a
  prior year bill in the amount of 3,850 for
  professional services performed by Kaestle Boos
  Associates, Inc. Architects to design the
  As-Build Plans for the Chelmsford Police Station
  with said payments coming from FY2006 Department
  of Public Works Expenses.

Board of Selectmen
5
ARTICLE 3

• Highlights of Police Agreement

• 3 Year Contract
• Performance Review Process
• Pay Increases
• FY04 0
• FY05 2
• FY06 3
• Signing Bonus 750

6
ARTICLE 4

• Highlights of Fire Agreement

• 3 Year Contract
• 24 Hour Shifts
• Pay Increases
• FY04 04
• FY05 2
• FY06 2
• Signing Bonus 600

7
ARTICLE 5
Stipends

• I move that the Town, in accordance with G.L.
  c.41, section 108, set an annual stipend for the
  salary and compensation of the following elected
  officials in the town
• Chairman of the Board of Selectmen 2,000
• Member of the Board of Selectmen 1,500
• Chairman of the Board of Health 650
• Member of the Board of Health 600
• Member of the Cemetery Commission 100
• Town Moderator 300
• Constable 50 per posting
• Town Manager

8
ARTICLE 6
Stabilization Funds

• I move that the Town transfer 1,900,000 from the
  Stabilization Fund to be used to offset a portion
  of debt and interest in the Fiscal Year 2007
  Budget.
• Town Manager

9
ARTICLE 6
Stabilization Funds
10
ARTICLE 6
Stabilization Funds
11
ARTICLE 6
Stabilization Funds
12
ARTICLE 7
Budget

• I move that the Town raise and appropriate the
  sum of 86,598,145 and transfer 7,500 from
  the Wetlands Protection Act Revolving Fund
  255,536 from Sewer User Revenues and 25,511
  from Overlay Surplus, to be combined with the
  1,900,000 transfer from the Stabilization Fund
  as authorized in Article 6, to defray charges for
  the fiscal period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007
  according to the following items
• Continued

13
ARTICLE 7
Budget Development Process

• Joint Meeting on Town Finances
• June 9, 2005
• Analysis of Financial Trends
• Presentation of 5 Year Financial Forecast
• Budget Model- funding allocation
• Original Projected Deficit for FY2007 was 2.6M

Continued
14
ARTICLE 7
Budget Development Process

• Series of Joint Meetings to update revenue/
  expenditure projections
• October 6, 2005
• November 29, 2005
• January 18, 2006
• March 8, 2006

Continued
15
ARTICLE 7
Revenue History
Continued
16
ARTICLE 7
Revenue Highlights

• State Aid increase of 1,256,143
• 589K due to uncapping of Lottery 2 years ahead
  of schedule
• 464K increase in Chapter 70
• 145K increase in Charter Tuition Reimbursement
  (offset by higher assessment)
• Other minor increases in Quinn Bill, Exemptions
  Library Offset

Continued
17
ARTICLE 7
Revenue Distribution
Continued
18
ARTICLE 7
Local Taxes
Continued
19
ARTICLE 7
State Aid History
Continued
20
ARTICLE 7
State Aid
Continued
21
ARTICLE 7
Available Funds
Continued
22
ARTICLE 7
Local Receipts
Continued
23
ARTICLE 7
Expenditure History
Continued
24
ARTICLE 7
Expenditure Highlights

• Total budgetary increase 2,086,895, or 2.3 over
  FY2006
• Largest increases in employee benefits
  1,378,971
• Health Insurance 798K
• Retirement Assessment 497K
• Public Safety includes arbitration settlement
  (FY04 06)
• Nashoba Assessment 328,430

Continued
25
ARTICLE 7
Expenditure Summary
26
ARTICLE 7
Expenditure Distribution
27
ARTICLE 8

Sewer Enterprise
28
ARTICLE 9

Land Purchase - Sand
I move that the Town raise and appropriate
25,000 to fund the sand purchase approved by the
Town under Article 4 of the 1998 Special Town
Meeting held on April 27, 1998. Town
Manager
29
ARTICLE 9

Land Purchase - Sand
30
ARTICLE 10

Reserve Fund
I move that the Town raise and appropriate
150,000 to be used as a Reserve Fund at the
discretion of the Finance Committee, as provided
in General Laws Chapter 40, Section
6. Town Manager
31
ARTICLE 11

Council on Aging Trip Fund
I move that the Town authorize a revolving fund
under Massachusetts General Laws C. 44, S. 53E ½
for the Council on Aging for Fiscal Year 2007.
The receipts to be credited to the fund shall
be from the collection of fees from the
implementation of a Senior Trip Program. The
Council on Aging shall be authorized to spend
money from the fund for the purpose of providing
transportation necessary for implementing a
Senior Trip Program. Expenditures from the
Senior Trip Program Revolving Fund shall be
limited to 300,000 during Fiscal Year
2007.
Town Manager Council on Aging
32
ARTICLE 12

Police Cruiser Fund
I move that the Town authorize a revolving fund
under Massachusetts General Laws C. 44, S. 53E ½
for the Police Department for Fiscal Year 2007.
The receipts to be credited to the fund shall
be from the collection of fees from the sale of
used police cruisers. The Police Department
shall be authorized to spend money from the fund
for the purpose of purchasing communication
equipment for newly acquired police cruisers.
Expenditures from the Police Cruiser Revolving
Fund shall be limited to 10,000 during Fiscal
Year 2007. Town
Manager Police Department
33
ARTICLE 13

Weights and Measures Fund
I move that the Town authorize a revolving fund
under Massachusetts General Laws C. 44, S. 53E ½
for the Inspection Department for Fiscal Year
2007. The receipts to be credited to the fund
shall be from the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The Inspection Department shall be authorized to
spend money from the fund for the purpose of
administering the services of the Sealer of
Weights and Measures. Expenditures from the
Weights and Measures revolving fund shall be
limited to 9,000 during Fiscal Year 2007.
Town Manager
34
ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
I move that the Town appropriate 2,503,141 for
the following capital projects
Continued
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ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
Projects Listed by Functional Category FY07
Continued
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ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
Continued
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ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
Continued
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ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
Continued
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ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
Continued
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ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
Continued
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ARTICLE 14

Capital Budget
Subtotals by Functional Category FY07
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ARTICLE 15

Drainage Easement Mill Road
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ARTICLE 15

Drainage Easement Mill Road
44
ARTICLE 16

Driveway Utility Easement Maple Rd
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ARTICLE 17

Utility Easement Richardson Road
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ARTICLE 18
Sewer Easement
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ARTICLE 19

Community Preservation Committee

• I move that the Town hear and act on the report
  of the Community Preservation Committee on the
  Fiscal Year 2007 Community Preservation budget
  and to appropriate from the Community
  Preservation Fund
• 20,000 (4.46 of the estimated FY2007 revenues)
  to meet the administrative expenses and all other
  necessary and proper expenses of the Community
  Preservation Committee for Fiscal Year 2007

Continued
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ARTICLE 19

Community Preservation Committee
And to appropriate from Community Preservation
Fund Historic Preservation Reserve Fund the
following 20,000 for an evaluation and
feasibility study for the renovation and
rehabilitation of Varney Park and the Varney Park
Field House  And further, that the Town reserve
for future appropriation the following amounts as
recommended by the Community Preservation
Committee
Continued
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ARTICLE 19

Community Preservation Committee

• 46,000 (10.27 of the estimated FY2007
  revenues) for the acquisition, creation and
  preservation of open space excluding land for
  recreational use
• 26,000 (10.27 of the estimated FY2007 revenues
  when combined with the 20,000 appropriation for
  Varney Park) for acquisition and preservation of
  historic resources and,
• 46,000 (10.27 of the estimated FY2007
  revenues) for the creation, preservation and
  support of community housing
• 280,000 (62.53 of the estimated FY2007
  revenues) for the Community Preservation Fund
  FY2007 Budgeted Reserve. 

Continued
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ARTICLE 20

Street Acceptance Lady Slipper Lane
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ARTICLE 21

Municipal Aid Agreements
I move that the Town, in accordance with G.L. c.
40, section 4A, authorize the Town Manager to
enter into an inter-municipal agreement with one
or more other governmental units to provide
public health services which the Board of Health
is authorized to perform, in accordance with an
Inter-Municipal Mutual Aid Agreement to be
entered into between the Town and various
governmental units. Town Manager Board
of Selectmen Board of Health
52
ARTICLE 22

Red Light Speed Enforcement

• Goal to increase intersection safety reduce
  the number of crashes caused by red light running
• Goal to change driving behavior through
  consistent enforcement
• Red light running is a serious problem
  nationwide with 900 people killed another
  200,000 injured
• Red light cameras serve as a deterrent to red
  light running have a positive safety impact
• Camera systems have been used in the U.S. for
  ten years and are presently used by 19 states
• Violations are deemed to be civil in nature,
  are not included for insurance surcharge purposes

53
ARTICLE 23

Financial Forecasts Citizen Petition
I move that the Town amend the General Bylaws
Chapter 35, by adding the following as section
35-5, entitled Department Financial Forecasts
In order to ensure the financial stability of
the town and to assist the Board of Selectmen and
the Town Manager in the preparation of a five
year financial forecast as required by section
6-4 of the Charter, each department shall prepare
a five year plan of economic resources it will
need to operate. This plan shall be updated and
modified on an annual basis for submission to
Town Meeting, the Finance Committee, and the
Board of Selectmen. Petition
54
ARTICLE 24
Insurance Chapter 32B, Section 18
I move that the Town accept Massachusetts General
Laws, Chapter 32B, section 18, that requires that
all retirees, their spouses and dependents who
are enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost to a
retiree, their spouse or dependents, or eligible
for coverage thereunder at no cost to a retiree,
their spouse or dependents, be required to enroll
in a Medicare health benefits supplement plan
offered by the town. Town Manager
55
ARTICLE 25

North Road Abandonment of Order
I move that the Town transfer the care, custody
and control of the easements held by the Town
and described below to the Board of Selectmen for
the purpose of releasing and abandoning the
temporary and permanent roadway easements and
permanent drainage easement and further to
authorize the Board of Selectmen, for no monetary
consideration, to release and abandon the
easements taken by eminent domain from the record
owners listed in the Order of Taking recorded
with the Middlesex North Registry of Deeds in
Book 18988, Page 40 on July 12, 2005 to the
current record owners, said easements.
Continued
56
ARTICLE 26

ATEF Committee Structure
I move that the Town amend the General Bylaws,
Chapter 51, by deleting Article 1, Section 51-4,
Paragraph B Members of the Chelmsford ATEF
Committee will include the Superintendent of
Schools or his/her designee thereof, six
residents of the Town of Chelmsford that will
include at least three parents who presently have
children in the Chelmsford public schools, a
member of the business community, a senior
citizen and a member at large
Continued
57
ARTICLE 26

ATEF Committee Structure
and replacing it with a new Article 1, Section
51-4, Paragraph B, to read Members of the
Chelmsford ATEF Committee will include the
Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee
thereof, and eight (8) residents of the Town of
Chelmsford that will include at least three (3)
parents/grandparents/guardians of children
presently enrolled in Chelmsford public
schools. Arts and Technology
Education Fund Committee
58
ARTICLE 27

Gift of Land Off Robin Hill Road
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• Special Town Meeting
• Overview

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ARTICLE 1
Budget Amendment

• Decrease Line Item 6, Public Safety Expenses, by
  38,204.40 and Increase Line Item 5, Public
  Safety Personnel Services, by 38,204.40
• Decrease Line Item 1, Municipal Administration
  Personnel Services by 10,000 and Increase Line
  Item 2, Municipal Administration Expenses, by
  10,000
• Decrease Line Item 1, Municipal Administration
  Personnel Services, by 15,000 and Increase Line
  Item 17, Undistributed, by 15,000

Town Manager
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ARTICLE 2
Shore Drive

• Recent foreclosure
• 6,709 sq. feet
• Assessed value 47,700
• No wetlands
• May requires additional research
• May be of value to abutters

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ARTICLE 2
Shore Drive
63
ARTICLE 3
Land Disposition

• Disposition of eight (8) Town-Owned parcels
  having potential abutter interest

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ARTICLE 3A
Off Main Street

• 0.30 acres - Assessed at 1,700
• Small wooded dry parcel behind Main Street
  Groton Road
• No legal frontage Not buildable by itself
• Less than the required lot area under zoning
• Appears to be part of larger lot taken for Route
  3
• Possible abutter interest

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ARTICLE 3A
Off Main Street
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ARTICLE 3A
Off Main Street
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ARTICLE 3B
Off Groton Road

• 0.41 acres - Assessed at 2,300
• Small wooded and dry parcel
• No legal frontage Not buildable by itself
• Less than the required lot area under zoning
• Appears to be part of larger lot taken for Route
  3
• No significant value
• Possible abutter interest
• Recommendation
• Seek Town Meeting authorization for
  immediate disposition

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ARTICLE 3B
Off Groton Road
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ARTICLE 3B
Off Groton Road
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ARTICLE 3C
Off School Street

• 0.29 acres Assessed at 1,600
• Small wooded dry lot between Schofield St.,
  Footpath Rd Graniteville Rd
• No legal frontage - Not buildable by itself
• Less than required lot area under zoning
• Fairly steep slope over short distance
• Possible abutter interest to supplement existing
  lots

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ARTICLE 3C
Off School Street
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ARTICLE 3C
Off School Street
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ARTICLE 3D
Off Diane Lane

• 0.24 acres - Assessed at 14,100
• Located between end of Diane Lane Rt. 495-S
• Appears to be a remnant of a larger lot - Likely
  taken for the original construction of Route 495
• Wetlands on east end of lot Not buildable by
  itself
• Legal frontage but less area than required for
  zoning
• Possible abutter interest
• Due to narrowness of parcel (35 ft wide) it may
  have little value or interest from 1 of 2
  abutters on Diane Lane.

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ARTICLE 3D
Off Diane Lane
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ARTICLE 3D
Off Diane Lane
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ARTICLE 3E
Off Cliff Road

• 0.12 acres - Assessed at 76,800
• Small triangular parcel mostly dry with some
  wetlands in the rear of the lot
• Not adjacent to public land
• Not buildable by itself
• Less than required frontage under zoning
• Less than required lot area under zoning
• Possible abutter interest to supplement existing
  lots
• Abutter at 8 Cliff Rd appears to be using a
  portion

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ARTICLE 3E
Off Cliff Road
78
ARTICLE 3E
Off Cliff Road
79
ARTICLE 3F
15 Bentley Lane

• 0.69 acres - Assessed at 18,600
• North side of Bentley Lane - Stream bisects the
  lot
• Possibly created by subdivison developer may
  have left undeveloped due to septic issues
• Stream wetlands render the lot unbuildable
• Not adjacent to public land - Possible abutter
  interest

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ARTICLE 3F
15 Bentley Lane
81
ARTICLE 3F
15 Bentley Lane
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ARTICLE 3G
Off Summer Street

• 0.73 acres - Assessed at 147,300
• Assessed value appears very high may need
  adjustment
• Opposite the intersection of Grove Summer
  Streets Not adjacent to any public land
• 50 Wetlands Development impossible
• Only 100 feet of frontage (125 required by
  zoning)
• Satisfies minimum lot area in RC District
• Possible abutter interest to supplement existing
  lots

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ARTICLE 3G
Off Summer Street
84
ARTICLE 3G
Off Summer Street
85
ARTICLE 3H
Off Park Road

• 2.00 acres - Assessed at 25,300
• Landlocked - Dry mostly wooded
• Parcel is not buildable on its own
• Not adjacent to any other public land
• Abutters on Braeburn Road appear to be
  encroaching on the property with lawns, play
  structures and/or accessory uses
• Possible abutter interest

86
ARTICLE 3H
Off Park Road
87
ARTICLE 3H
Off Park Road
88
ARTICLE 4
12 Bentley Lane

• 0.90 acres - Assessed at 19,500
• Assessed value could be much higher If lot is
  buildable
• Southside of Bentley Lane created by
  subdivision
• Stream cuts across a corner of the lot 10 foot
  elevation
• Has sufficient frontage but lacks 1K s.f. of
  required total lot area
• May lack in contiguous dry area
• Would need approval from Board of Appeals
  Conservation Commission for conventional
  development

89
ARTICLE 4
12 Bentley Lane
90
ARTICLE 4
12 Bentley Lane
91
ARTICLE 5
3A Stillwater Drive

• 0.56 acres - Assessed at 90,200
• Insufficient lot area - Not adjacent to other
  public land
• Steeply sloped in the rear from Stillwater Dr to
  Marina Road
• Subject of a Variance petition in May 2005 -
  Significant abutter opposition to variance
  request to develop lot
• Abutter opposition is not likely to dissipate if
  Town attempts development
• Lot would be of interest to abutters who could
  use it to supplement their existing lots
  prevent future development

92
ARTICLE 5
3A Stillwater Drive
93
ARTICLE 5
3A Stillwater Drive
94
ARTICLE 6A
Mill Road Parcels

• 10.10 acres for both parcels
• 6.70 3.4 acres - Assessed at 213,300
  182,800
• Wooded dry lots, Uneven terrain steep slopes
• Two lots together will allow frontage
• If there are no restrictions on its use, the
  properties could yield significant development
  potential
• Russell Mill Swim Tennis Club located to the
  west
• Deeded access easement across the lot for
  neighboring condos
• Easement does not significantly impact potential
  development

95
ARTICLE 6B
Mill Road
96
ARTICLE 6B
Mill Road
97
ARTICLE 7
Russell Road
Lot A
Lot B Approved Fall 05
Lot C
Lot D
Lot E
98
ARTICLE 7
Lot A
Lot B Approved Fall 05
Lot C
Lot D
Lot E
99
ARTICLE 8
27 Freeman Road

• Town needs to acquire a wider easement or fee
  interest over 27 Freeman Road either by
  negotiation or eminent domain
• 27A Freeman authorized at Fall Town Meeting
• At present, there is no access to the 27A parcel
  -- With sufficient right to access the property
  the lot has substantial value to the Town

100
ARTICLE 8
27 Freeman Road
101
ARTICLE 8
27 Freeman Road
27A
27
102
ARTICLE 8
27 Freeman Road
103
Spring 2006PRE-TOWN MEETING

• April 19, 2006