Annual Town Meeting

Transfers $75,000 from the Debt Stabilization Fund to the FY2024 operating budget to offset debt exclusion project costs.

Transfers $750,000 from Ambulance Receipts Reserved for Appropriation to the FY2024 General Fund Operating Budget.

Sets salaries for elected officers and appropriates funds to cover all Town charges, expenses, and debt for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Appropriates $5,037,397 to operate the Water Department Enterprise Fund for FY2024, funded by user fees ($4,650,000) and retained earnings ($387,397).

Appropriates $1,951,368 to operate the Sewer Enterprise Fund for FY2024, funded by user fees ($1,930,105) and sewer betterment transfer ($21,263).

Appropriates $1,928,455 to operate the Solid Waste/Recycling Enterprise Fund for FY2024, funded by trash fees ($1,570,000) and retained earnings ($358,455).

Appropriates $2,739,311 from Certified Free Cash for over 30 capital projects spanning police, schools, DPW, fire, and library needs.

Raises and appropriates $800,000 for repairs to roads, sidewalks, bridges, and related infrastructure.

Raises and appropriates $300,000 to the Town's Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust account.

Raises and appropriates $100,000 to the General Stabilization Fund.

Transfers funds from the Capital Stabilization Fund for design, engineering, and construction of the McGovern Elementary School roof (amount TBD).

Transfers $85,500 from the Field Stabilization Fund to fund design and engineering for the Hanlon track and field replacement.

Appropriates $250,000 for a water, wastewater, and stormwater asset management plan, including matching funds for a MassDEP grant.

Transfers $6,000 from Ambulance Receipts for the purchase of CPR mannequins with feedback capability.

Approves the CPA FY2024 budget of $513,275 for administration, debt service, affordable housing, historic resources (Gravestone Restoration $60,000, Signs $4,000), and 50 Winthrop St Survey ($4,500).

Sets FY2024 spending limits for revolving funds: parks/rec ($490,000), senior transportation ($130,000), library printer ($3,000), library meeting room ($1,000), Thayer Homestead ($95,000), tobacco compliance ($2,500).

Allows the Planning Board to grant a special permit for a lower affordable housing percentage (min. 10%) in CBD mixed-use developments where required set-asides exceed 10%, when the project provides community benefits.

Adds EV, EV Ready Space, and EVSE definitions; requires EV charging stations in commercial/multi-family developments with 15+ spaces on a graduated scale; requires EV Ready spaces per the 2023 Stretch Code.

Updates dimensional standards for rowhouse, mixed-use, and commercial building types in the Oak Grove Park District; removes the Rowhouse on Separate Lot option from the Central Business District.

Adds a 'Footprint' definition; allows steps, porches (≤30 sq ft), eaves, and cornices to project into setbacks; clarifies that accessory building footprint is compared to the principal building's footprint.

Creates a new AR-III zoning district (10,000 sq ft min lot) and re-zones parcels on approximately 15 streets — Gorwin Drive, Karen Avenue, Main Street, and others — from their current districts to AR-III.

Prohibits installation of certain metal roofs within the Groundwater Protection Overlay District unless they meet stormwater pollution-prevention standards; exempts roofs of 200 sq ft or less.

Replaces 'Town Administrator' with 'Town Manager' throughout; updates the director title; removes Host Community Agreement requirements for marijuana facilities; clarifies sidewalk payment-in-lieu obligations.

Reorganizes and updates the Home-Based Business bylaw — clarifies definitions, parking and setback requirements for commercial vehicles, delivery hours (8am–8pm), and adds owner-occupancy and registration requirements.

Adds 'Construction Contracting Services' as a defined use allowed by-right in Business and Industrial districts and by special permit in commercial districts, with all equipment and materials stored indoors.

Prohibits herbicides/pesticides for vegetation management at ground-mounted solar installations; expands the definition of 'Ground-Mounted Solar Electric Installation' to include incidental battery storage.

Makes clerical, grammatical, and limited substantive changes to the General Bylaws to align with the Charter and state law, per the Bylaw Review Committee report.

Updates the Fire Department bylaw — replaces 'Administrator' with 'Manager,' renames Fire Dispatch, requires key access boxes for central-monitored buildings, sets new fines for alarm malfunctions.

Clarifies the petition process for private way repairs, removes the betterment assessment prohibition, revises minimum footage thresholds, and drops the requirement for 100% abutter consent.

Replaces the Fire Lanes bylaw in its entirety with updated language reflecting current requirements and enforcement procedures.

Requires concrete or asphalt for commercial, industrial, and residential driveway aprons; expressly prohibits placement of basketball equipment and similar items in the public way.

Replaces the dog bylaw entirely with updated provisions covering licensing, updated fees, leash requirements, waste removal, nuisance/dangerous dog procedures, and non-criminal fines.

Strengthens the underground storage tank bylaw — adds Fire Department as enforcer, updates hazardous material definitions, requires new systems to meet current specifications, mandates periodic leak testing.

Updates the Town Clerk fee schedule as set forth in the Bylaw Review Committee report on file with the Town Clerk.

Deletes Article XIX Audit Committee from the General Bylaws in its entirety.

Deletes Article XXIII Town Administrator from the General Bylaws in its entirety, reflecting the transition to Town Manager under the new charter.

Updates the Water Use Restrictions bylaw — removes redundant language, replaces the Water and Sewer Commission with the Select Board, consolidates outdoor ban provisions, and clarifies irrigation system liability in public rights-of-way.

Citizens' petition to rename Columbus Day to 'Indigenous Peoples' Day' on all Town calendars, notices, and media to honor Indigenous Peoples. Select Board recommended Disapprove; Finance Committee issued no recommendation.