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| ARTICLE 69: | RESOLUTION ON SCHOOL FINANCE |
MOVED That the Town vote to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That it is the sense of the Town that the current method of funding public education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is fundamentally inconsistent with the goal of equal access to adequate education by all children; furthermore, that the predominant use of local property taxation to fund public education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is constrained by certain provisions of Proposition 2½ and does not correspond with the ability of local citizens to pay for the cost of this essential municipal service.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED: That the following facts pertaining to the provision and funding of public education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should guide the development of future policy and legislation in this area:
In consequence of the above, and recognizing that any changes to statewide educational or fiscal policy must, of necessity, require state legislative action, we therefore recommend the following:
1. That the Board of Selectmen and School Committee undertake to build a broad statewide coalition of local officials who share the policy goals of shifting school funding away from property taxation to alternative forms of taxation, and of achieving full funding of state educational mandates from state general revenues; and to work closely with all relevant state associations, citizens' groups and other organizations to establish this coalition in 1997.
2. That the Board of Selectmen, School committee, and elected state legislators from the Town of Needham call upon the Governor and other state officials to make their appointments to the Special Commission on Alternatives to Local Property Taxes as the Primary Source of Public Education Funding, as required by the Acts of 1996, c.151, s680.
Discussion 9:35-10:11 May 19: Mr. Powers presented the article. Special Commission exists but has no money, hence the amendment. The financing of Schools is the hardest problem facing the citizens of the state. We're below almost all states in percentage of state money funding the schools. Per-Capita Income test raises poor peoples' taxes solely because there are rich people in town. The other big problem is unfunded mandates.
Other states are doing other things. Michigan causes much discussion, but its case is rather unique. Minnesota is a good model--60% is paid by the state and that will be raised. He hopes this problem will be a major aspect of the next gubernatorial election,
Mr. Matthews said Selectmen support this motion and thank the commitee. However, he says, there is no consensus among communities. Mr. Denver highlighted impacts on this town. 22% of school budget covers mandates but 90% of revenue comes from town. There are efforts being made; even federal legislation. He suggests Selectmen and School Committee set up a task force to choose a political course of action. The situation will not change overnight.
| ARTICLE 70: | CONTINUE COMMITTEE TO STUDY TOWN'S ASSESSING FUNCTION |
MOVED That the Town vote to continue the Committee studying the Town's assessing function established by vote of the February 5, 1996 Special Town Meeting under Article 4; direct and authorize said Committee to continue to investigate the Town's assessing functions; said study committee shall report back to the next Annual Town Meeting or sooner.
Discussion 10:12-10:32 May 19: Mr. James Bucky discussed the history of the Commitee, they have no substantive recommendation yet. They've investigated many issues of law, practice, and how other towns work. They have already tried to get the process more open, Are ready to deliberate, should recommend by fall.
Mr. Broad spoke on why this report is needed, Examples given of unfair assessments. He said it must include some form of local oversight.
| ARTICLE 71: | CREATE A NEEDHAM GOVERNMENTAL REVIEW STUDY COMMITTEE |
MOVED That a Needham Governmental Review Study Committee shall be formed. Charge: To study the structure and management of Town government, for the purpose of determining whether changes should be recommended to a subsequent Town Meeting -- keeping in mind that the economic and social well being of Needham depend upon an efficient and economical operational structure staffed by competent people, with clearly defined lines of authority and function.
The Study Committee shall consist of nine Needham citizens, appointed as follow:
Discussion 10:33-11:06 May 19: Mr. William Powers, as a Town Meeting Member, presented the motion. "It is not a government in crisis." But he feels things can always be done better. His problem is finding the best possible course of action. Mr. Hannigan said the Finance Committee does not support this article because it does not have clear costs. Also the form is unwieldy and impractical.
Mr. William Miles supports. (1) a fresh approach always finds things. (2) you need to close the loop from the last reorganization.
| ARTICLE 72: | CONTINUE COMMUNITY CENTER STUDY COMMITTEE |
MOVED That the Town continue the Community Center Study Committee established by vote of the 1994 Annual Town Meeting under Article 59, to direct and authorize said Committee to study the options for providing a community facility that may meet the current and future needs for youth, recreation, cultural and senior programs; said Committee shall report back to the next Annual Town Meeting or sooner.
Discussion 1l:06-11:07 May 19: No discussion.
| ARTICLE 73: | CONTINUE SCHOOL SAFETY STUDY COMMITTEE |
MOVED That the Town vote to continue the School Safety Study Committee, established by vote of the 1991 Special Town Meeting under Article 10; direct and authorize said Committee to continue the study and evaluation of safe walking routes for Needham School children, to develop and recommend minimum and uniform safety criteria regarding school walking routes, to address the issue of age appropriate walking routes and distances and to generally examine the issue of safe student access to and from their schools, said Committee to report to the next Annual Town Meeting or sooner.
| ARTICLE 74: | CONTINUE SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL/RECYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE |
MOVED That the Town vote to continue the Solid Waste Disposal/Recycling Advisory Committee, established by vote of the 1966 Annual Town Meeting under Article 73 and amended under Article 40 of the 1993 Annual Town Meeting, direct and authorize said Committee to continue to investigate all methods of collection and disposal of solid waste, said Committee to report to the next Annual Town Meeting or sooner.
| ARTICLE 75: | CONTINUE THE NEEDHAM CEMETERY STUDY COMMITTEE |
MOVED That the Town vote to continue the Committee studying the Needham Cemetery established by vote of the 1995 Annual Town Meeting under Article 65, direct and authorize said Committee to study the feasibility of the Town of Needham acquiring the ownership and management of the Needham Cemetery, said Committee to report to the next Annual Town Meeting or sooner.
| ARTICLE 76: | OMNIBUS ARTICLE |
MOVED That Town vote to raise by taxation, transfer from available funds, by borrowing or otherwise, such sums as may be necessary for all or any of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing articles, especially to act upon all appropriations asked for, or proposed by the Selectmen, or any Town Officer or Committee, to appoint such committees as may be decided upon, and to take action upon matters which may properly come before the meeting.
Discussion 11:07 - 11:12, May 19:
Proclamation: 40th anniversary of Needham Council on Aging be recognized.
The Moderator recognized Maureen Cochrane and John Hessian who are ending their service on the Finance Committee.
The Moderator asked support for a rule of practice requiring distribution of material by proponents and opponents one week in advance of discussion.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon unto our Town Clerk on or after said day and hour.
Given under our hands at Needham aforesaid this 25th day of February, 1997
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Paul Theodore Owens, Chairman
John D. Marr, Jr., Vice Chairman Daniel P. Matthews John H. Cogswell William M. Powers Selectmen of Needham |
a true copy
Attest:
Constable
