Hopkinton Town Meeting Night Three

7:03

When I signed in as a visitor there were 70 voters here, not a quorum at the time. But more people were filing in.

7:12

Town moderator said we're about five voters off from a quorum

7:14

And we're ready to begin. After an announcement from the moderator to take your seat a reporter near me was concerned that he had lost it.

7:17

The first article is 41, sponsored by the Hopkinton Youth Commission, will increase the fine for public consumption of marijuana and alcohol.

7:19

Alcohol up from $50 to $100, marijuana from $100 to $300

"I see this as an opportunity for Hopkinton to increase fines as other MetroWest communities are doing the same," Jean Vazza said.

7:19

At this point the town has not collected either of those fines since they were imposed last year

7:21

One speaker just spoke against the article, the moderator recognized him as Mr. Harold

7:23

The fine is for the offender, in the case of a juvenile of they are unable to pay the juvenile and their parent need to appear at juvenile court.

7:25

Doug Reznick, "I'm wondering how many kids are sitting at home watching this that are going to get that the fines have been increased. I think we need to beat it at it's root with education and parents setting good examples."

7:26

Passed by clear majority, but there were a fair number of people against it.

7:27

Article 42, wetland protection bylaws. According to Jeff Barnes these are corrections to several inaccuracies. very minor changes. No changes to distances.

7:32

Jack Speranza asked for some definitions which I don't understand after their explanation. They sound extremely similar to me.

7:33

Article 42 passes

7:36

Article 43, unregistered motor vehicles bylaw. deleting chapter 130 and adding a new chapter 188.

According to Chief Flannery, the current chapter 130 was to be split but they needed to create two new bylaws and delete the old ones.

This article, chapter 188, is virtually unchanged from the original wording of the unregistered vehicle section of 130.

7:37

If the PD finds out that someone is breaking the bylaw they will notify the owner and then be given a period of time to fix the problem.

7:39

Chief says there are not fines issued until a resident is given ample time to fix the problem. Questions being asked about a misplaced spark plug or a tire swing.

"I do not anticipate that should we see something that has been repurposed that we would consider that to be a violation of the bylaw," Chief Flannery.

7:41

Approved, but once again not unanimous. I think the same guy as last night keeps voting no.

7:42

Article 44, is similar to Article 43, from what I can tell. just a restructuring of the current bylaws.

7:46

Ooops, I'm wrong. this is not a restructuring. This is a new article.

This article is to help prevent the sale of stolen goods.

7:48

John Duffy, "I feel that this bylaw is written as a case of overregulation." suggested tabling this to work on the wording of it.

7:50

This does not apply to book stores or antiques dealers, from what I can gather it's more aimed toward pawn stores.

7:52

this does not apply for yard sales. It's basically to prevent stolen items from being sold to consignment stores.

7:53

Doug Reznik, "I can't imagine that a store like threads should be responsible for this kind of thing."

7:54

Claire Wright, "I recognize the intent of this but it just seems like the amount of burden, paperwork and bureaucracy on the small businesses is overwhelming."

7:56

The question was moving (asking to end debate) but the vote for that was too close and is now being counted.

7:57

Better now that the moderator explained the vote. clearly passed calling the question. Now they are actually voting on article 44.

7:57

The bylaw fails. This is the first negative vote that did not require a count.

7:58

Article 45, Zoning Bylaw Amendments.

7:59

Planning board presenting now, there was a public hearing about the article in February.

Replace the site pan review bylaw "but much of it remains the same," Weismantel said.

8:00

Substantial changes. Bylaw only contains to non residential construction projects. They are changing the definition of large project which is currently 1,500 sq ft and above to 5,00 sq. ft. and above.

8:03

Another major part specifies that the planning board has very limited rights to reject a project, but they can accept with special conditions.

8:05

As written the changes would require new plans to include sidewalks, however the planning board can say that they are not feasible and "waive the requirements"

8:06

One person has asked to remove that portion. His amendment is being discussed.

8:08

Clair Wright, of the planning board, has said sidewalks are necessary for pedestrian safety.

8:10

Amy Ritterbusch, speaking out against the amendment.

8:11

There is now a vote on the amendment by deleting (item M on page 41 of the motion document) the amendment is defeated.

8:15

Dorothy Maruska, asking how this would effect upcoming changes such as the library. Basically the biggest difference is that standards are outlined now instead of assumed. "We're trying to codify what is being expected of anyone coming before the planning board."

8:17

That quote is from Weismantel.

8:23

They are now discussing another amendment to the sidewalks standard, this one would require the builder to explain through evidence why the sidewalks are not necessary.

8:27

the problem Jack Speranza, the sponsor of the current amendment, is worried that the original language is purely discretionary he intents to make it clear cut yes or no.

8:31

Speranza's amendment will be counted.

8:33

Fails 45-79. Looked and sounded a lot closer.

8:37

The new community standards would require under grounding of utilities, solar power equipment is exempt from this standard.

8:40

A vote on the article passes unanimously.

8:43

Article 46, these changes are to help accommodate the changes in healthcare, It's a wording change Feb. 27

8:43

Feb. 27 this was discussed at the planning board meeting.

8:48

approved

8:50

Article 47, medical office use. This will specify the zoning districts where a medical office can and cannot be.

8:50

Approved

8:51

Article 48, continuing care retirement community / assisted living community. This would allow these types of uses in other industrial zones.

8:52

Approved

8:54

Article 49, Restaurants in Industrial B district. This would allow restaurants below 100 seats that close before 11 p.m., it would also allow restaurants that are larger or open later if they go through a special permitting process.

8:57

This bylaw requires that all patrons be seated, so a restaurant with a drive through window is allowed.

The reason no fast food restaurants have come to Hopkinton is because there is a separate zoning bylaw that does not allow drive through windows.

9:00

Approved

9:02

Article 50, retail uses, Industrial A, B and office park districts will allow small retail stores to not exceed 2,000 sq. feet and must sell convenience items.

9:03

There is a similar use allowed in the legacy farms districts that have been created.

9:09

As written this article would not limit the hours of the business. An amendment is being drafted that would not allow a 24 hour convenience store.

9:12

There was also a brief discussion about what "convenience items" are

9:12

It sounds like the hours will be limited to between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

9:17

amendment passes

9:17

Article 50 passes

9:18

Article 51, zoning district of 91 Grove Street. The gas station right across from the school where we are.

9:19

It is currently zoned residential but it has always been used as commercial. The article carries.

9:22

Article 52, off-street parking bylaw, groups nursing home parking requirements with assisted living, makes compact spaces smaller, raise the percentage of compact spots allowed. and creates a standard for parallel parking.

9:24

This were actually presented to planning board by Caroline McManus, a graduate student working with the town. They were approved.

9:25

Article 53, life sciences zoning, this will take away the special permit requirement for these facilities in industrial districts A and B.

9:28

This was not recommended unanimously by planning board because these types of facilities use a very large amount of water which may tax the water system.

9:31

There is a lot of concern from residents near the industrial districts that there could be incidental discharge in to the lake.

9:41

Most of these zoning amendments were presented with the intention of drawing new businesses to the industrial area. People will want to come here more if there are easily accessible restaurants, convenience stores and less duplicity between the local and state bylaws.

9:45

Article 53 sounded like it was approved by 2/3 but a voter asked to count the vote

9:45

The decision to count the vote was taken back and it is approved.

9:45

Article 54 was already dismissed, EMC parking lot.

9:47

Article 55, accepting Longwood Drive, Emma Drive, Ralph Road and Meadowland Drive as public ways.

9:51

Approved

9:52

Article 56, this is the article for obtaining the house at 2 West Main Street.

Board of Selectmen recommends no action.

9:52

no action passes, there will be no action taken toward pursuing the house there.

9:53

Article 57, petition by Chuck Joseph for a site specific liquor license at Hopkinton Square.

10:01

William Goldberg, (citing a letter to the editor published on Patch) is concerned that this article passes it will take away the ability for other businesses to get a fair shake at this. Also saying that when the town passes the 15,000 population threshold there will be five licenses in a limited commercial area.

10:03

Cleland Johnson, owner of Hopkinton Wine and Spirits is speaking now. He submitted the letter mentioned previously.

10:04

10:15

Still discussing the liquor store license. There is a conversation basically saying that through this petition process the town could create unlimited petitions for extra licenses of town meeting approves them all.

10:17

This liquor license is above and beyond what the town is allowed according to the census data.

10:23

Several speakers now are concerned that there is series of businesses going away from the downtown when we are trying to redevelop downtown.

10:29

Going to a vote.

10:30

Simple majority required for this vote but it sounds very close.

10:33

Fails 53 - 101, sounds are deceiving in here.

10:36

Article 58, PerkinElmer TIF. This is a tax incentive for expansion of the business in Hopkinton. Begins at a 90 percent reduction in property taxes at expansion sites which over 13 years reduces to 30 percent. If they do not meet certain criteria.

10:43

Residents are concerned that there has not been a specific cost benefit analysis and feel that basic arithmetic is not sufficient.

10:48

Over 13 years this is a benefit to PerkinElmer of approximately $900,000. According to town counsel there will be approximately $900,000 in new taxes. So the town is collecting 50 percent of the total.

10:48

Article approved.

10:49

Town meeting is now adjourned until the town election on May 21.