Tewksbury Annual Town Meeting Approves Central Fire Station, DPW Facility Upgrades

It's hard to believe, but in fact there were other articles besides the budget on the Annual Town Meeting warrant that were acted upon by Tewksbury residents Monday night. 

Article 1

Article 1 approved all Town officials who were elected in the town elections back in April and was adopted uncontroversially. 

Article 2

 Article 2 sought to fix the salaries of elected officials including the Board of Health, Moderator, Planning Board, School Committee and Selectmen and was also passed without debate.

Article 3

Article 3 included several items under the Consent Calendar including:

• Accept the Annual Report
• Lease/Purchase Agreement (allows Town Manager to to lease/purchase equipment for various Town departments).
• Authorize Chapter 90 Funds
• Re-Authorize Revolving Funds

Article 3 was approved without debate.

Article 4

Article 4 sought approval of the FY14 General Fund Budget, including the contentious Fire Department budget. There was passionate debate on both sides of the issue, and you can read here exactly how Article 4 played out.

Article 5

Article 5 asked voters to appropriate $6,103,578 to operate the sewer enterprise fund, and was passed without debate. 

Article 6

Article 6 asked voters to appropriate $5,625,637 to operate the water enterprise fund, and was passed without debate.

Article 7

Article 7 sought approval for a transfer of $635,368 from the Stablization Fund for:

• Stormwater and Drainage Maintenance and Repair: $70,000
• Design and Engineering Repairs and Upgrades for Center Fire Station and the DPW Facility: $110,000
• Fire Ambulance Upgrade: $125,000
• DPW 6 Wheel Dump Truck with Plow and Sander: $170,000
• DPW F250 4x4 with Plow: $35,000
• Sick Leave Buyback: $125,368

Article 7 was adopted without debate.

Article 8

Article 8 sought approval of a transfer of $608,345 from the Stablization Fund to fund:

• School Buildings and Maintenance: $284,345
• School Technology: $139,000
• School Instructional: $185,000

Article 8 was adopted without debate.

Article 9

Article 9 asked voters to approve a transfer of $125,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of maintaining Tewksbury Memorial High School.

One resident raised opposition to Article 9 because the funds were not included in the General Fund Budget.

After brief debate, Article 9 was passed. 

Seeing as it was after 11 p.m., Town Moderator Keith Rauseo adjourned Annual Town Meeting until Wednesday night following Special Town Meeting.

Stick with Tewksbury Patch for continuing coverage of Annual Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting on Wednesday.