Latest news with #Proposition2½
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New fire station an easy vote in Bourne on 1st night of town meeting
Bourne voters were in a challenging mood with many questions at the annual and special town meeting Monday night, May 5, which resulted in a continuance to deal with 13 more articles Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Bourne High School. Moderator Amy Kullar called for a stop to voting after three hours at 10 p.m. Monday and the voters agreed. The annual meeting had 32 articles and the special town meeting had five. The largest finance article on the warrant, funding a new fire station at $18.8 million, passed easily on a vote of 297 to 40, but two improvements at the police station failed initially and one resulted in a reconsideration vote that passed. No votes passed unanimously. An effort to find a location for a new fire station was in the works for many years until voters approved purchase of 171 Clay Pond Road property in January. The South Side Fire Station Building Committee advanced the capital request on March 14 to the town meeting. The required two-thirds majority for the Proposition 2 ½ override Monday sends the fire house question to the May 20 town election for a debt exclusion vote. If approved, the new fire station is scheduled to open Nov. 1, 2027. When a resident asked about the tax liability for the station, Finance Director Erica Fleming said it would add $45 to the average home assessed at about $730,000 the first year and increase at different rates over the 20-year note. The proposal for a new roof at the police station costing $2.5 million failed to get a two-thirds vote after residents questioned why a roof installed in 2019 needed replacement. Sandra Goldstein, who is running for Select Board, asked if someone was responsible for the failed roof. Town Administrator Marlene McCullum said the town is serving a lawsuit against the contractor and architect of the roof. The second article for the police station followed immediately, asking for $475,000 to install air conditioning in the station's gun range. The article failed on an almost even vote to get the required two-thirds majority. Resident Stephen Mealy called for a reconsideration of that vote within the required one hour, saying, 'There was a poor presentation on both the roof and the air-conditioning.' Police Chief Brandon Esip asked for the reconsideration vote, explaining that the gun range cannot operate nearly half the year from mid-spring to fall because of the humidity and temperatures that reach 90 to 100 degrees, making it dangerous for officers in full gear. Several voters then spoke in favor of the air conditioning because of safety, a potential mold problem and other reasons. The second vote on the air conditioning passed 239 to 53. A request for $150,000 to design a new library, which residents supported at several meetings and in surveys, passed, 259 to 55, but not without some pleas to finally approve it. Thomas Spence of Monument Beach asked about a 2004 vote for a new library that lost by four votes. 'We should have done it then,' he said. Two library proponents agreed and made pleas on behalf of the library. 'We understand what a new library costs,' Select Board member Anne-Marie Siroonian said. A library trustee previously, she said the town will apply for a state library commission grant if it becomes available, but a 'real space design' is needed now. 'The library has many issues that need to be addressed,' Kathleen Fox Alfano, chairman of the Library Feasibility Study Committee, said. 'We know people love this library but it would cost $4 million more to renovate the present library. I implore you to vote yes.' Another article that drew emotional reactions was for reconstruction of the Jason Comoletti Memorial Basketball Court at Bourne Veterans Memorial Community Center at a cost of $400,000 from Community Preservation Act funds. Select Board member Peter Meier spoke of the significance of the court in honor of Comoletti, a 2016 graduate and star basketball player of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, who died in 2017 in a car crash. Meier said it was important to do something for the town's children. Recreation Committee Chair Roger Maiolini said the court is 'in disrepair and dangerous.' He also described a vision to establish summer basketball leagues there for youth, high school students and adults. The town meeting also approved an annual operating budget of $81.8 million that represents a 3.29% increase over the current year's budget. One project in the 2026 capital budget of $6.4 million got some extra attention when resident William Doherty pointed out that $50,000 for removing solar panels from the Bourne Middle School roof was in the warrant twice. McCullum noticed it when a separate article for the funding came up. A vote was called and approved the deletion. Five articles on the special town meeting warrant passed, but some voters wanted additional work on the town's comprehensive wastewater management plan. The article passed 301 to 33. Before the meeting closed, Moderator Kullar said the most critical articles had been voted on, but said an extra hour would not give sufficient time to consider 13 more articles. They included more recreation articles and new downtown sign regulations. Susan Vaughn writes about transportation and other local community issues affecting Cape Cod residents and visitors. She can be reached at smharris@ Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Design for new library in Bourne draws pleas for help. 'I implore you'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Yarmouth votes for more firefighters and board incumbents in town election. Results.
Yarmouth voted to hire five additional fire department staff and to reelect all incumbents to town boards in the May 20 town election. The hiring of four firefighters and a supervisor at a cost of $845,476 was approved by a vote of 1,295 to 590. The question that required a Proposition 2 ½ override was on the ballot following unanimous support to the proposal at the April 29 town meeting. The 2024 town meeting approved hiring four firefighters that did not require an override. A continued shortage of fire department staff, particularly paramedics, to handle the rise in ambulance calls prompted the need for additional staff, town officials said. The fire department staff was not able to keep up with the calls for ambulances this past year, Town Administrator Robert Whritenour said in a previous interview. The department currently had 79 full-time equivalent firefighters before the increase. In a closely contested three-way race, Select Board incumbents Dorcas McGurrin and Elizabeth Argo were reelected for three-year terms over challenger Gerald O'Connell. McGurrin, who has been serving as board chair for the past year, drew 1,084 votes to win a second three-year term. Argo, who joined the board after a special election in December 2024, pulled in the most votes at 1,174 for a three-year term. First-time Select Board challenger O'Connell, had 950 votes. For the uncontested Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School Committee seat, current chair Tomas A. Tolentino was reelected with 1,395 votes. Andrew Hoagland Krauss was reelected to the Yarmouth Housing Authority for a five-year term in an uncontested race, drawing 1,372 votes. The nonbinding public advisory question opposing the airborne discharge of contaminated wastewater from the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station drew 1,600 yes votes and 266 no votes. The election had a low, 8.5% turnout with 1,932 voting of the 22,660 registered voters, according to the town clerk's unofficial results. Susan Vaughn writes about transportation and other local community issues affecting Cape Cod residents and visitors. She can be reached at smharris@ Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Yarmouth votes for more firefighters in town election. Results.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
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Great Pond sewer project moving forward after strong voter support at Falmouth polls
Falmouth voters at the May 20 town election approved a $60 million debt exclusion override to fund Phase 1 of the Great Pond sewer project — a major step toward improving water quality in one of the town's most environmentally degraded areas. Voters also chose from multiple candidates in races for the Select Board and School Committee, and representative town meeting members across the town's nine precincts. In all, 6,217 of the town's 28,233 registered voters, or about 22%, turned out for the election. The sewer project was also supported at the April town meeting, passing by a vote of 174-18. Because debt exclusion measures require approval both at town meeting and the election polls, the May 20 vote — 4,021 in favor, 1,501 opposed, according to as yet unofficial results — was an important final step. Even though the vote technically gives the town permission to exempt the borrowing from Proposition 2½ — a state law that limits towns from increasing taxes more than 2.5% each year without a vote — Assistant Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub previously explained that the town has carefully structured its borrowing to keep overall exempt debt steady, preventing a tax increase. The town is covering 30% of the costs, with the remaining 70% covered through betterment fees. Key funding sources include zero percent interest loans from the Massachusetts State Revolving Fund and 25% loan forgiveness from the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund. The remaining costs will be shared through betterments, with connected property owners covering 70% of applicable expenses. Betterments are expected to range from $27,000 to $40,000 per single-family equivalent, paid over 30 years at zero interest – roughly $900 to $1,3000 annually, depending on loan forgiveness. The sewer expansion will serve about 600 properties in a densely developed area near Great Pond, replacing septic systems that officials say are overloading the water body with nitrogen. Construction is expected to begin this fall and finish by fall 2027. The Select Board is finalizing how sewer equivalent units are assigned and how betterments are calculated for different property types. In the four-way race for two seats on the town's top governing board, incumbent Douglas Brown easily secured another term, receiving 4,481 votes, according to unofficial results. Joining him on the board for the next three years is Colin Reed, who garnered 3,005 votes. Richard McEvoy received 1,705 votes, and James Morse, 1,309 — leaving both candidates out of the running. Returning for his fourth term, lifelong Falmouth resident Brown brings many years of civic engagement and a working knowledge of town issues. As the president of the Cape and Islands Municipal Leaders Association, he also brings regional connections and leadership continuity. "I'm grateful to the voters of Falmouth for returning me to office for one more term. I look forward to the challenges ahead," Brown said. He said a top priority will be reviewing the capital improvement budget "to see where we can prioritize." He's also focused on replenishing the affordable housing fund and working with local housing officials and organizations on potential projects — particularly as the town completes an assessment of surplus property that could be used for affordable housing. Other priorities include meeting with the town's new coastal resiliency specialist to review a town vulnerability assessment, finding a site and designing a new police station, and evaluating whether the police force is adequately staffed for Falmouth's population. Housing is also a priority for Reed, who brings experience in public engagement from his work at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He's focused on evaluating zoning changes to allow more diverse and denser housing, and continuing investment in wastewater infrastructure to support that growth. "We need more housing for the extremely important service industry and middle-class workforce so that we can live, work and raise a family alongside our retired and vacationing friends and neighbors," he said during his campaign. The interrelated issues of housing and water infrastructure, he said, are complex, and it will be important for town leaders to work with staff "in exploring and defining the options and solutions that are best for the community." For Falmouth School Committee, three incumbents — Michael Heylin, Melissa Keefe, and Margaret Souza — retained their seats and will serve another three years. They faced three challengers: Sarah Bogdan, Jane Scarborough, and Amanda McGonigle. According to unofficial results, Keefe led the field with 2,975 votes, followed by Souza with 2,901 and Heylin with 2,594. Among the challengers, McGonigle received 2,541 votes, Bogdan 2,408, and Scarborough 2,402. Heylin returns to the board with a commitment to improving communications, prioritizing input from teachers, parents and students to ensure the school district better serves the community. Board veteran Keefe continues to serve with nearly a decade of experience, deep institutional knowledge, and a focus on fiscal responsibility. She is committed to managing school reconfiguration thoughtfully, supporting pre-K expansion, and addressing declining enrollment. Souza, a consistent presence at meetings and school events during her first term, continues to focus on helping the district address declining enrollment and manage budget challenges without harming students. She also aims to improve communication and build trust within the school community. Precinct-by-precinct town meeting member results are available on the town clerk's page accessible from the town website at Heather McCarron writes about climate change, environment, energy, science and the natural world, in addition to news and features in Barnstable and Brewster. Reach her at hmccarron@ This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Falmouth incumbent retains Select Board seat. Here's who got elected.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
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Orleans voters approve six Prop 2 1/2 questions. Here is what the spending is for.
Orleans residents voted to support spending $4.5 million to pay for design work for a new fire-rescue station during Tuesday's annual election. According to preliminary election results, 1,016 voters supported the move, while 521 voters opposed it. The funding will pay to hire architects, an owner's project manager, and other related costs. After the design for the new station on Eldredge Park Way is complete, a proposal for a full construction will be presented to voters at a future town meeting. The question also previously passed during the town's annual town meeting. In all, Orleans approved seven ballot questions, including six Proposition 2½ questions. The question seeking a $40.5 million debt exclusion for third phase of construction for the Lakes and Ponds Sewer Area Project in the area of Crystal Lake, Pilgrim Lake, Lonnie's Pond, Arey's Pond, and Namequoit River passed. Voters also approved a $1.6 million debt exclusion to pay for the construction of the replacement of the easterly bulkhead located at the Goose Hummock town landing on Town Cove. Another question passed for a $5 million debt exclusion to fund the design and construction of municipally owned solar projects at the wastewater treatment facility on Overland Way, the water treatment facility off Route 28, and the Department of Public Works facility on Giddiah Hill Road. Orleans voters also approved $600,000 to fund connection engineering services for property owners in the Meetinghouse Pond Area; and assessing an additional $989,627 in real estate and personal property taxes for the fiscal 2026 operating budget. Last, the nonbinding public opinion advisory asking state and other officials to prevent Holtec Inc. from evaporating into the air radioactive wastewater from the now-closed Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station also passed. The election featured no contested races. Both incumbents, Michael Allen Herman and Mark William Mathison, were reelected to the Select Board for new three-year terms. John P. Smith Jr. was unchallenged in his bid for another term on the Board of Health. John Kanaga will serve as the town moderator. Elizabeth Dawn Paine won her unopposed run for Nauset Regional School Committee and Virginia E. Stribula for the Orleans Elementary School Committee. And Tracy O. Murphy and William Francis Powers, Jr. were unopposed in their bid for the Snow Library Board of Trustees. Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@ Follow her on X @zanerazz. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: See what Orleans voters passed at the town election
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
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Sesuit Harbor upgrade approved at Dennis election, after fail at town meeting. Now what?
The Dennis town election on May 13 had some surprise results. A controversial proposal to reconstruct Sesuit Harbor in Dennis at a cost of $8 million that failed at the May 6 town meeting passed by 38 votes — 1,288-1,250 — in the town election. In other votes, a longtime town moderator was defeated and the constable race had unusual results. Robert Chamberlain, who ruled the town meetings with a firm hand as Dennis town moderator for many years, was defeated by challenger William L. Carmichael with 1,403 votes to 1,167, for the three-year term. Chamberlain was defeated in all five precincts. Another incumbent, Diane Chamberlain of the Water District Commission, lost to Joseph P. Walker II for the one-year term, 1, 770-870. In the three-year terms for three constables, two write-in candidates won with fewer than six total votes. Gerald M. DeSalvatore, who was on the ballot as an approved candidate, garnered 1,964 votes while write-in candidates Korrin Dean got four votes and Timothy Bunce got two. Town Clerk Terri Bunce explained Wednesday that Dean and Timothy Bunce will also be sworn in Friday along with DeSalvatore since there were three positions available, and under the rules, they have accepted the positions. The question on the redesign and reconstruction of Sesuit Harbor West was debated extensively at the May 6 town meeting after Select Board member James Plath spoke against the article that the rest of the Select Board had recommended. 'The necessary financial planning was lacking,' Plath said at the meeting as one reason for opposing the project. While he said free cash is appropriate for various uses, he objected to using $1 million on dock spaces for pleasure boat and dock owners. He also said the project did not have a bid and the cost is only an estimate. The Sesuit Harbor vote for the Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion was defeated soundly at town meeting, 235-79. Because of the affirmative election vote, however, the proposal may be allowed to be on the fall town meeting warrant if it is in the same wording, Bunce, the town clerk, said after consulting with town counsel. However, it could not be confirmed Wednesday, May 14, with other town officials if the proposal would be on the fall town meeting. Another debt exclusion question to allow borrowing of $7.5 million for irrigation system replacements at Dennis Highlands and Dennis Pines golf courses passed: 1,607 to 868. The question also passed at the May 6 town meeting. The purchase of a pumper truck and a brush truck for the Dennis Fire Department for $2 million as a debt exclusion also passed easily 1,960-604. Town meeting voters OK'd the debt exclusion at the May 6 session. A fourth question to establish a special Municipal Water Infrastructure Investment Fund under a state law was approved. The fund can be used on maintenance, improvements and investments to municipal drinking, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The question passed at the last fall town meeting as required in order to be on the May 13 ballot. In other races, Select Board Chair Christopher Lambton won for a third three-year term with 2,115 votes and Plath won for a second three-year term with 1,484 votes. Jeni Landers, incumbent on the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District Committee, pulled in 2,043 votes in an uncontested seat for another three years. James M. Pazakis Jr. also got 1,421 votes in an uncontested seat on the Old King's Highway Regional Historic District Commission. Twenty percent of the town's 13,406 eligible voters cast a total of 2,687 votes, according to official results from Bunce. Susan Vaughn writes about transportation and other local community issues affecting Cape Cod residents and visitors. She can be reached at smharris@ Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Ballot votes in Dennis on $8M harbor upgrade go against town meeting
