Annual Town Meeting TOWN WARRANT June 10, 2017

TOWN WARRANT 
 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
 
FRANKLIN, ss. 
 
To the Constable of the Town of Wendell in the County of Franklin, 
Greetings, 
 
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the 
inhabitants of said Town, qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall in said 
Town on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 10 AM, then and there to act on the following articles: 
 
ARTICLE 1: To see if the Town will vote to accept the reports of Town Officials as printed in the Town 
Report, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 2: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the 
Selectboard, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the fiscal year beginning 
July 1, 2017 in accordance with the provisions of the MGL Chapter 44, Section 4, and to issue a note or 
notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with MGL Chapter 44, Section 17, or 
take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 3:  To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer to enter into compensating 
balance agreements during fiscal year 2018 as permitted by MGL Chapter 44, Section 53F, or take any 
action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 4: To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary, compensation, and expenses of all elected and 
appointed officials of the Town for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, as provided in MGL Chapter 41, 
as amended, and to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,450,798 from taxation or 
such other sum of money as deemed necessary to defray such salaries and expenses for that period, or take 
any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 5: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of  $65,790 to pay the fiscal year 
2018 debt service on the Town Building Construction loan, or take any action thereon: 
 
ARTICLE 6: To see if the Town will amend article 5 of the June 8, 2016 Annual Town Meeting by 
replacing Town Building Construction Projects $65,789 (19,160 principle, 46,629 interest) with Town 
Building Construction Projects $65,789 (36,656.64 principle, 29,132.36 interest), or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 7: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum 
of  $11,874 to pay the fiscal year 2018 debt service on the Mahar Construction loan, or take any action 
thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 8:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum 
of $15,000 for the Reserve Fund, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 9:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds sum of 
$5,000 for the Unemployment Compensation Fund, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 10:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds sum of 
$5,000 for the Pension Reserve Fund, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 11: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum 
of $6,000 for the Independent Audit expenses, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 12: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum 
of $33,090 for Group Health Insurance, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 13:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the 
sum of $2,000 for Tax Title Expense, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 14: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum 
of $5,000 to pay for Fire Department turn-out gear, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 15: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum 
of $31,860 ($30,000 principal and $1860 interest) from the Stabilization Fund to pay the 2018 debt on the 
Highway Department dump/sander/plow truck or take any action thereon. (This sum is the first of 5 
payments on the new dump truck for which the 2017 Town Meeting authorized borrowing of $150,000 after 
an initial down payment of $50,000). 
 
ARTICLE 16:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the 
sum of $28,127 to pay for Wendell’s share of capital projects at Swift River School, or take any action 
thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 17: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from Stabilization the sum of $65,790 to reduce the 
tax rate, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 18: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum 
of $3209.32 to fund the Sick Bank Stabilization Fund established 06/16/2010 pursuant to MGL Chapter 40, 
Section 5B, for the purpose of investing sick leave pay, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 19: To see if the Town will vote pursuant to the provisions of General Laws c.44, §53E½, as 
most recently amended, to (1) establish the following revolving funds and fiscal year spending limits as set 
forth below, and further (2) to amend the General Bylaws by inserting a new bylaw establishing various 
revolving funds, specifying the departmental receipts to be credited to each fund, the departmental purposes 
or programs for which each fund may be expended, and the entity authorized to expend each fund, such 
bylaw to provide as follows: 
 
Departmental Revolving Funds 
 
Section 1.  There are hereby established in the Town of Wendell pursuant to the provisions of G.L. 
c.44, §53E½, the following Revolving Funds, from which the specified department head, board, 
committee, or officer may incur liabilities against and spend monies from without appropriation in 
accordance with the limitations set forth in this by-law. 
 
Section 2.  No liability shall be incurred in excess of the available balance of the fund. 
 
Section 3.  The total amount spent during a fiscal year shall not exceed the amount authorized by 
Annual Town Meeting or any increase therein as may later be authorized  by the Board of Selectmen 
and Finance Committee in accordance with G.L. c.44, §53E½.  
 
Section 4.  Interest earned on monies credited to a revolving fund established by this by-law shall be 
credited to the General Fund. 
 
Section 5.  Authorized Revolving Funds 
 
REVOLVING FUND PROGRAM OR 
DEPARTMENT 
ENTITY 
PURPOSE 
RECEIPTS TO BE 
AUTHORIZED 
CREDITED TO FUND 
TO SPEND 
Wiring Inspector—inspection services 
Fees for inspection services  Inspector of 
rendered 
Buildings 
Plumbing/Gas Inspector—inspection 
Fees for inspection services  Inspector of 
services  
rendered 
Buildings 
Recreation Commission--expenses 
Fees and donations 
Recreation 
collected for the Recreation  Commission 
Commission 
  
Section 6.  Procedures and Reports. Except as provided in General Laws Chapter 44, §53E½ and this 
by-law, all applicable state and local laws and regulations that govern the receipt, custody, 
expenditure and payment of town funds shall apply to the use of revolving funds established and 
authorized by this by-law. 
 
And, further, to establish the following fiscal year spending limit for such funds: 
 
Authorized Revolving Funds 
Fiscal Year 
Expenditure Limit 
Wiring Inspector 
$  5,000 
Plumbing/Gas Inspector 
$  5,000 
Recreation Commission 
                    $  5,000 
 
; Or take any action in relation thereto.  
 
ARTICLE 20: To see if the Town will vote to apply for, accept, and expend any Federal, State, and private 
monies, such as Community Development Block Grants, Public Safety Grants, Massachusetts Public Library 
Construction Funds, etc., or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 21: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $173,989 from Free Cash to the 
Stabilization Fund, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 22: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectboard to declare certain items as surplus, 
and to trade in or sell surplus equipment, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 23: To see if the town will authorize the Selectboard to negotiate an interim agreement among 
the owners of the McAvoy dam to apportion the costs of both the engineering and contracting for the 
removal of the trees on the dam, the removal of their root balls if necessary, and remediation of the site, as 
the Selectboard finds reasonable and prudent, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 24:  To see if the Town will raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of 
$10,000 for the purpose of providing the Town’s share of the costs of both the engineering and contracting 
for the removal of the trees on the dam, the removal of their root balls if necessary, and remediation of the 
site, as the Selectboard finds reasonable and prudent, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 25: To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $30,000 from the Insurance Reserve Fund 
to the Stabilization Fund, or take any action thereon. 
ARTICLE 26: To see if the Town will vote to release any rights of the Town that may exist in the so-called 
‘school house lot’ located at or within the Diemand Farm property, consisting of approximately 1.7 acres and 
being included within the land shown on Assessors’ Map 404 as Lot 13, and more particularly described 
within Tract 1 of a deed from Faith Diemand, Peter Diemand and Anne Diemand, trustees, and recorded in 
the Franklin County Registry of Deeds at Book 5367, Page 114, and whatever right, title and interest the 
Town holds in such land and any buildings thereon, and to authorize the Selectboard to take all actions and 
execute all documents to confirm the Town’s release of any right, title or interest of the Town in such 
property, or take any action thereon. 
 
ARTICLE 27: To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following resolution or take any action thereon: 
 
Resolution of the citizens of the Town of Wendell in support of 100 percent renewable energy 
 
WHEREAS, too much of Massachusetts’ energy comes from fossil fuels that pollute our air and water 
and alter our climate; and, 
 
WHEREAS, Massachusetts communities are already feeling the impacts of climate change; and, 
 
WHEREAS, the Town of Wendell is already taking action to reduce its carbon emissions and promote 
clean energy, including becoming a Green Community, conducting energy audits on all town buildings, 
and promoting energy audits for all residents. 
 
WHEREAS, clean energy has brought many benefits to Massachusetts, including reduced pollution, 
tens of thousands of clean energy jobs, and more of our energy dollars retained in the local economy; 
and 
 
WHEREAS, Massachusetts has historically been a leader in the fight against global warming, and has a 
responsibility to continue to set a positive example for other states and countries to follow; and 
 
WHEREAS, Massachusetts can get 100 percent of its energy from clean, renewable sources by 
harnessing its abundant solar and wind resources, and taking advantage of innovations in energy 
efficiency, green transportation, energy storage, and other technologies; and 
 
WHEREAS, the transition to 100 percent renewable energy should promote employment 
opportunities and economic growth in our communities, facilitate local control and ownership over 
energy options, and bring tangible benefits to low-income residents and others who have historically 
been disadvantaged by our energy system; 
 
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Town of Wendell, in the County of Franklin, 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that Massachusetts should commit to a goal of 100 percent clean, 
renewable energy, and move as quickly as possible to achieve that goal; 
 
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that leaders in the Legislature and statewide elected and appointed 
officials are urged to do everything in their power to bring Massachusetts closer to 100 percent 
renewable energy, and ensure that the benefits of renewable energy are realized by Massachusetts 
residents from all walks of life; 
 
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Wendell will commit to a goal of 100 percent 
renewable energy, and its officials and staff will consider all municipal decisions in light of whether 
they will bring the City and its residents, businesses, and institutions closer to 100 percent renewable 
energy; 
 
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Wendell will avoid taking actions that could 
increase the use of fossil fuels or delay the transition to 100 percent renewable energy; 
 
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Wendell will take actions to promote clean energy 
and reduce fossil fuel use, including 

• Municipal Solar Projects 
• Energy Efficiency Upgrades 
• Municipal aggregation with at least 5% additional Class 1 RECS 

 
ARTICLE 28: To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following resolution or take any action thereon: 
Resolution for Supporting ‘Medicare for All’ bill in Massachusetts 
WHEREAS: access to health care has become one of the biggest political issues of the day and is of great 
concern to ourselves and our neighbors; and 
 
Whereas: The U.S. remains one of the few countries that does not provide universal publicly funded health 
care; and 
 
Whereas: the cost of health care keeps increasing thereby creating a burden and a concern to us all; and 
 
Whereas: the number of people who do not have affordable access to quality health care increases, the health 
of our communities decreases, and 
 
Whereas: the cost of health insurance increases and the policies include up-front costs of co-pays and 
deductibles that are a burden for employers and employees. 
 
Whereas: in particular, the money spent by Cities and Towns to cover their employees is a large cost to both 
the employer and the employees; and 
 
Whereas: these funds could be better spent by Towns to improve the overall quality of life, and by 
employees to increase wages and salaries and other benefits; and 
 
Whereas: Massachusetts has been a leader in providing coverage for quality health care for its people; and 
 
Whereas: there is an alternative means of providing health care for all that also provides better coverage, 
without co-pays and deductibles, and includes medical, dental and preventative care. 
 
That this bill is the “Improved Medicare for All,” House Bill #2987 Senate Bill #619 
THEREFORE be it Resolved:     
 
That the Town of Wendell endorses the House and Senate Bill, “Improved Medicare for All,” and will 
communicate its support to the State Representative and State Senator. 
 
ARTICLE 29: To see if the Town will petition the Massachusetts General Court for permission to adopt a 
Town Bylaw to define a “qualified voter” as follows, or take any action thereon: 
 
 
Any citizen sixteen years of age or older, so long as they are a resident of Wendell at the time they register to 
vote and are otherwise eligible under all provisions beside age set for voters in M.G.L. Chapter 51, Section 1, 
is a qualified voter of the town and is entitled to vote in all Town elections, participate and vote in all Town 
Meetings, participate in Town Caucus and sign all nominating, warrant and other petitions authorized by 
Town bylaws. Persons wishing to serve in elected positions must be registered voters of at least 18 years of 
age. 
 
ARTICLE 30: To transact any other legal business that may come before said meeting, or take any action 
thereon. 
 
 
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copy thereof at the Wendell Town Office 
Building, 7 days at least prior to the time of holding said meeting. 
 
 
 
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time 
and place of meeting, as aforesaid. 
 
 
 
Given under our hands this 31st day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and seventeen 
 
_________________________________ 
{ 
SELECTBOARD 
 
_________________________________ 
{ 
 
OF 
 
_________________________________ 
{ 
     WENDELL 
 
 
A true copy.  Attest: ________________________________________, Constable