Category Archives: Elections

Election results

Posted on June 12, 2018 | Comments Off on Election results

All questions passed, but margins vary.  Taxes will go up about 10% to pay for budget increases and the overrides.

20180611-Spec Elec June 11 2018_1_Page_1

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Posted in Budgets, Elections

Election today

Posted on June 11, 2018 | Comments Off on Election today

Election banner

 

20180611-specimen ballot

2018 Override Information Town of Medfield, Massachusetts The Medfield Board of Selectmen have prepared this information sheet to provide information regarding the five (5) Override questions on the June 11, 2018 Election Ballot. What is Proposition 2 ½? Limits the annual increase in the amount of revenue a city or town may raise from local property taxes. This is known as the annual levy limit. The actual tax rate, up to the levy limit, depends on the amount of spending approved by the Annual Town Meeting and other sources of revenue like state aid and excise tax revenue. The law allows the city or town to increase the levy limit with approval of voters at an election like the one we are having on June 11th . Also restricts amounts a town can borrow without specific authorization, but this is not applicable for the items on the June 11th ballot. Operating Override—permanently increases Medfield’s levy limit and becomes part of the base for calculating future years’ allowable 2 ½ % increases in levy limits. Capital Exclusion— increases the amount of property tax revenue a community may raise for only one year in order to fund a specific project. It does not increase the community’s levy limit used to determine allowable taxes in future years. Stabilization Fund Override—permanent override that is earmarked for a stabilization fund voted by Town Meeting. After the first year, the Selectmen decide the amount to be appropriated each year into the stabilization fund up to the amount approved by voters plus an annual 2 1/2 % increase. The amount is decreased if the Selectmen vote to appropriate a lower amount than what was originally authorized when the override was approved, with the decreased amount then becoming the new base against which the 2 1/2 % increase is calculated in each future year. PROPOSITION 2 ½ BALLOT QUESTIONS Question #1: Shall the town be allowed to assess an additional One‐Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding the Municipal Buildings Stabilization Fund created pursuant to GL Chapter 40, Section 5B for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Stabilization Fund Override Yes Vote: If you vote YES you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting Vote to increase the levy limit by One Million Dollars and create a stabilization fund. For FY19 the One Million Dollars would fund the Dale Street Feasibility Study. In the following year the Board of Selectmen may appropriate an amount up to the One Million Dollars plus 2 ½ percent for the Municipal Buildings Capital Stabilization Fund to maintain, upgrade, or construct municipal/school buildings, with subsequent year limits rising by 2 ½ % each year. No Vote: If you vote NO, the Dale Street Feasibility study will not be funded and the Municipal Buildings Capital Stabilization Fund will not be funded. June 11, 2018 Special Election CENTER at Medfield One Ice House Road Polls Open 6AM to 8PM Question #2: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One‐Million Six‐Hundred and Sixty Three Thousand One‐Hundred Three Dollars ($1,663,103) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of increasing school and town departmental operating budgets for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Operating Override Yes Vote: If you vote YES you are agreeing with the budget adopted by the Annual Town Meeting, which requires an increase in the levy limit of $1,663,103. This reflects a 3.88% increase to the Town’s operating budget (including a 9% increase in health and pension benefits for Town and School employees) and a 6.16% increase to the School Department budget. This increase in the tax levy will be a permanent increase in the base used to determine future year’s levy limits. No Vote: If you vote NO, the town will not increase the levy limit and will instead adopt the balanced budget as voted at Town Meeting. A balanced budget reflects a 3.37% increase to the Town’s operating budget (including a 9% increase in health and pension benefits for Town and School employees) and a 3% increase to the School Department Budget. Question #3: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional Two‐Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Operating Override Yes Vote: If you vote YES, you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting vote to provide ALS services within the Fire Department by hiring additional Paramedic personnel and/or training existing FF/EMT’s as Paramedics. No Vote: If you vote NO, the Town of Medfield will not provide an ALS level of service and will remain at a basic life support level (BLS) Question #4: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One‐Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of preparing a Feasibility Study for a new park and recreational facility for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Capital Exclusion Yes Vote: If you vote YES, you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting vote to temporarily increase the tax levy for one year to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate potential sites for a new Parks and Recreation facility. This increase in the levy limit will only be in effect for FY19. No Vote: If you vote NO, the feasibility study for a new Park and Recreation facility will not be completed. Question #5: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One‐Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of preparing a Town‐wide master plan for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Capital Exclusion Yes Vote: If you vote YES, you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting vote to temporarily increase the tax levy for one year to fund an update to the last comprehensive Master Plan which was completed in 1964. This increase in the levy limit will only be in effect for FY19. No Vote: If you vote NO, completion of an update to the current Master Plan will not be accomplished in FY19.

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Posted in Budgets, Elections

Stuff the truck!

Posted on June 7, 2018 | Comments Off on Stuff the truck!

This today from Susan Gorog –

vote & donate

Medfield Food Cupboard

Don’t forget to Vote and Donate on Monday, June 11!  Food donations will be collected in a DPW truck at the voting polls…help us stuff the truck!

Needed items are peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauce, large bottle of juice and juice boxes.

You can also stuff the truck on Tuesday – Saturday, June 12-16 at the Fire/Police station. THANK YOU!

 

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Posted in Elections, Fire Department, Medfield Food Cupboard, Police Department

MFC needs volunteers 6/11 & 12

Posted on June 4, 2018 | Comments Off on MFC needs volunteers 6/11 & 12

From Abby Marble –

MFC-sign

Help Wanted!

 

We can use some volunteers to help us with our Vote and Donate Food Drive:

 

On Monday, June 11, we need volunteers to help collect/organize food donations at The Center on Ice House Road from 6:00AM to 8:00PM.

On Tuesday, June 12, we need volunteers to help unload and sort food donations at the UCC on Main St from 8:30AM to 10:30PM

 

If interested, please sign up by logging onto:

 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050f48abac2ba75-vote1

 

Thank you!

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Posted in Elections, Medfield Food Cupboard, Volunteers

Override election information from the town (as revised since my prior posting)

Posted on June 4, 2018 | Comments Off on Override election information from the town (as revised since my prior posting)

2018 Override Information Town of Medfield, Massachusetts The Medfield Board of Selectmen have prepared this information sheet to provide information regarding the five (5) Override questions on the June 11, 2018 Election Ballot. What is Proposition 2 ½? Limits the annual increase in the amount of revenue a city or town may raise from local property taxes. This is known as the annual levy limit. The actual tax rate, up to the levy limit, depends on the amount of spending approved by the Annual Town Meeting and other sources of revenue like state aid and excise tax revenue. The law allows the city or town to increase the levy limit with approval of voters at an election like the one we are having on June 11th . Also restricts amounts a town can borrow without specific authorization, but this is not applicable for the items on the June 11th ballot. Operating Override—permanently increases Medfield’s levy limit and becomes part of the base for calculating future years’ allowable 2 ½ % increases in levy limits. Capital Exclusion— increases the amount of property tax revenue a community may raise for only one year in order to fund a specific project. It does not increase the community’s levy limit used to determine allowable taxes in future years. Stabilization Fund Override—permanent override that is earmarked for a stabilization fund voted by Town Meeting. After the first year, the Selectmen decide the amount to be appropriated each year into the stabilization fund up to the amount approved by voters plus an annual 2 1/2 % increase. The amount is decreased if the Selectmen vote to appropriate a lower amount than what was originally authorized when the override was approved, with the decreased amount then becoming the new base against which the 2 1/2 % increase is calculated in each future year. PROPOSITION 2 ½ BALLOT QUESTIONS Question #1: Shall the town be allowed to assess an additional One‐Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding the Municipal Buildings Stabilization Fund created pursuant to GL Chapter 40, Section 5B for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Stabilization Fund Override Yes Vote: If you vote YES you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting Vote to increase the levy limit by One Million Dollars and create a stabilization fund. For FY19 the One Million Dollars would fund the Dale Street Feasibility Study. In the following year the Board of Selectmen may appropriate an amount up to the One Million Dollars plus 2 ½ percent for the Municipal Buildings Capital Stabilization Fund to maintain, upgrade, or construct municipal/school buildings, with subsequent year limits rising by 2 ½ % each year. No Vote: If you vote NO, the Dale Street Feasibility study will not be funded and the Municipal Buildings Capital Stabilization Fund will not be funded. June 11, 2018 Special Election CENTER at Medfield One Ice House Road Polls Open 6AM to 8PM Question #2: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One‐Million Six‐Hundred and Sixty Three Thousand One‐Hundred Three Dollars ($1,663,103) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of increasing school and town departmental operating budgets for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Operating Override Yes Vote: If you vote YES you are agreeing with the budget adopted by the Annual Town Meeting, which requires an increase in the levy limit of $1,663,103. This reflects a 3.88% increase to the Town’s operating budget (including a 9% increase in health and pension benefits for Town and School employees) and a 6.16% increase to the School Department budget. This increase in the tax levy will be a permanent increase in the base used to determine future year’s levy limits. No Vote: If you vote NO, the town will not increase the levy limit and will instead adopt the balanced budget as voted at Town Meeting. A balanced budget reflects a 3.37% increase to the Town’s operating budget (including a 9% increase in health and pension benefits for Town and School employees) and a 3% increase to the School Department Budget. Question #3: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional Two‐Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Operating Override Yes Vote: If you vote YES, you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting vote to provide ALS services within the Fire Department by hiring additional Paramedic personnel and/or training existing FF/EMT’s as Paramedics. No Vote: If you vote NO, the Town of Medfield will not provide an ALS level of service and will remain at a basic life support level (BLS) Question #4: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One‐Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of preparing a Feasibility Study for a new park and recreational facility for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Capital Exclusion Yes Vote: If you vote YES, you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting vote to temporarily increase the tax levy for one year to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate potential sites for a new Parks and Recreation facility. This increase in the levy limit will only be in effect for FY19. No Vote: If you vote NO, the feasibility study for a new Park and Recreation facility will not be completed. Question #5: Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One‐Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of preparing a Town‐wide master plan for the fiscal year beginning July first, two‐thousand and eighteen? Type: Capital Exclusion Yes Vote: If you vote YES, you are agreeing with the Annual Town Meeting vote to temporarily increase the tax levy for one year to fund an update to the last comprehensive Master Plan which was completed in 1964. This increase in the levy limit will only be in effect for FY19. No Vote: If you vote NO, completion of an update to the current Master Plan will not be accomplished in FY19.20180604-KT-Override Information Handout_FINAL_Page_2

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Posted in Elections, Select Board matters

6/11 ballot

Posted on May 14, 2018 | Comments Off on 6/11 ballot

Town Clerk, Carol Mayer, posted this specimen ballot for the 6/11/18 over ride election –

20180611-specimen ballot

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Posted in Budgets, Elections, Financial, Uncategorized

Clarified ballot questions

Posted on May 8, 2018 | Comments Off on Clarified ballot questions

Evelyn circulated this clarifying vote this afternoon for this evening’s meeting, that will make the June 11 ballot questions somewhat clearer  –

BoS

VOTE CLARIFYING AND RATIFYING MAY 3, 2018
VOTE, RE; PROPOSITION 2 1/2 BALLOT QUESTIONS

WHEREAS, voters at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting held on April 30 and May
1 voted to approve five (5) articles: Articles #43, 45, 16, 14 and 13, each subject to
passage of an override question pursuant to one or another paragraph of G.L. Ch. 59, Section 21 C, so-called Proposition 2 1/2, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen held a meeting on May 3, 2018 and voted
to place the five Proposition 2 1/2 override questions on a ballot and to hold a special election on June 11, 2018, and

WHEREAS, Proposition 2 1/2 mandates the form of each ballot question and
limits the information which can be contained therein, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Selectmen desires to provide guidance to future
members of its Board, as well as other Town officials involved with managing the Town’s finances,

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Selectmen does hereby clarify and ratify its
May 3, 2018 vote placing five (5) override questions on the ballot for a special election to be held on June 11, 2018 as follows:

Ballot Question #1 relates to vote on 2018 ATM Article #43 and constitutes a dedicated permanent operational override to fund a capital stabilization fund specified in the article, as provided on G.L. Ch. 59, Section 21C, Par. g.

Ballot Question #2 relates to vote on 2018 ATM Article #45 and constitutes a
permanent operational override to increase school and departmental operating
budgets specified in the article, as provided in G.L. Ch. 59, Section 21 C, Par. g.

Ballot Question #3 relates to vote on 2018 Article #16 and constitutes a permanent operational override to provide funding for the provision of Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, as specified in the article, as provided in G.L. Ch. 59, Section 21 C, Par. g.

Ballot Question #4 relates to vote on 2018 ATM Article #14 and constitutes a one-year capital outlay override to fund a feasibility study for a new park and recreation facility, as specified in the article, as provided in G.L. Ch. 59, Section 21 C, Par. i 1/2.

Ballot Question #5 relates to vote on 2018 ATM Article #13 and constitutes a one-year capital outlay override to fund the preparation of a town wide master plan, as specified in the article, as provided in G.L. Ch. 59, Section 21C, par. i 1/2.

So-Voted this 8th day of May, 2018.

Medfield Board of Selectmen
Michael T. Marcucci, Chair
Gustave Murby, Clerk
Osler L. Peterson, Member
2

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Posted in Budgets, Elections, Select Board matters, Town Meeting

BoS minutes for 5/3, draft ballot for 6/11

Posted on May 7, 2018 | Comments Off on BoS minutes for 5/3, draft ballot for 6/11

The Board of Selectmen met three times last week, as we had meetings at 6:30PM before each of the annual town meeting (ATM) evenings, and then a meeting Thursday to vote to set the override election for June 11.  Below are the minutes from the Thursday meeting and below that the draft ballot.  I do not have a copy of what we voted on Thursday, but the draft below from Wednesday is close, if not the final version.

Unfortunately, the statutory requirements with respect to the ballot wordings makes the June 11 election questions less than totally intuitive, and the town and its officials are also limited in what can be done to explain.

BoS

Board of Selectmen

Thursday, May 03, 2018

7:00PM

Minutes

 

Present: Selectmen Michael Marcucci, Selectmen Gustave Murby, Selectmen Osler Peterson, Kristine Trierweiler, Mark Cerel, Carol Mayer

 

Meeting was called to order at 7:00PM by Chairman Marcucci who reminded the audience that the meeting was being video recorded.

 

Selectmen held a moment of silence for those serving around the world.

 

Board of Selectmen had one item on the agenda to discuss and that was to call a Special Election for June 11, 2018 for the Proposition 2 ½ questions due to the votes that were taken at the Annual Town Meeting on April 30 and May 1, 2018.

 

Town Clerk Carol Mayer has prepared a ballot with five (5) over ride questions. Selectmen discussed the order of the questions as well as the information from the Secretary of State’s Election Division that the questions cannot state if they are an operating override, debt exclusion, or capital override.

 

Mark Cerel informed the Board they can prepare information informing the public about the overrides and explanations of the over rides. Kristine will work with Mark on a fact sheet for distribution.

 

Vote: Selectmen Murby made a motion to sign the Warrant for the Special Town Election to be held on June 11, 2018 and to include five (5) override questions as presented on the warrant by the Town Clerk, seconded by Selectmen Peterson and the vote was unanimous.

 

 

Board of Selectmen signed seven (7) copies of the Special Town Meeting Warrant.

 

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Selectmen Murby, seconded by Selectmen Peterson and the vote was unanimous.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:15PM.

=============================================

DRAFT (5/2/18)

 

June 11, 2018 Special Election

Potential Proposition 2 ½ override questions

 

Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One-Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of funding the Municipal Buildings Stabilization Fund created pursuant to GL Chapter 40, Section 5B for the fiscal year beginning July 1, two-thousand and eighteen?

YES_________                                NO__________

 

 

Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One-Million Six-Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand One-Hundred Three Dollars ($1,663,103) In real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose  of increasing school and town departmental operating budgets for the fiscal year beginning July first, two- thousand and eighteen?

YES_________                                NO__________

 

Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional Two-Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for the fiscal year beginning July first, two-thousand and eighteen?

YES_________                                NO__________

 

 

Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One-Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of preparing a Feasibility Study for a new park and recreation facility for the fiscal year beginning July 1, two-thousand and eighteen?

YES_________                                NO__________

 

Shall the Town of Medfield be allowed to assess an additional One-Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) in real estate and personal property taxes for the purpose of preparing a Town-wide master plan, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, two-thousand and eighteen?

 

YES __________                            NO­­­___________

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Posted in Elections, Select Board matters, Town Meeting

Election results

Posted on March 27, 2018 | Comments Off on Election results

My sincere thanks to the 1172 residents who cast a vote for me yesterday!  The following are the results posted by Town Clerk, Carol Mayer.

Leo Brehm defeated Maryanne Sullivan in the school committee race 818 to 622.  It appears that Eric Lussier was elected a trust fund commissioner with 14 out of the 44 write in votes.

Town Elec Mar 26, 2018_Page_1Town Elec Mar 26, 2018_Page_2Town Elec Mar 26, 2018_Page_3Town Elec Mar 26, 2018_Page_4

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Posted in Elections

Election today

Posted on March 26, 2018 | Comments Off on Election today

Election banner

Town Election Today

Voting is at The Center.  Polls open until 8PM.

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Posted in Elections