Article 4:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the Capital Improvement Trust Fund, or take any other action relative thereto.

BY TOWN MANAGER

Finance Committee recommends passing over this article.  There are no funds to consider for this article.

Article 5:  To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds a sum of money to fund the Stabilization Fund, or take any other action relative thereto.

BY TOWN MANAGER

Finance Committee recommends passing over this article.  There are no funds to consider for this article.

Article 6:  To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Mass. General Laws Ch. 32 Section 90C which provides for the superannuating retirement allowance for any former employee who has served at least 25 years in the Town to an amount not exceeding half of the regular compensation paid to employees holding a similar position in the same grade or step or classification which the former employee held at the time of retirement, or take any other action relative thereto.

BY TOWN MANAGER

Finance Committee recommends approval of this article.  Passage of this article will allow one retired town employee to continue to collect the pension he has been receiving.

Article 7:  To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 4-2 Powers of Appointment of the Town Charter to include the Sewer Superintendent, or take any other action relative thereto.

BY TOWN MANAGER

Finance Committee recommends passing over this article.  The Town Charter was just changed and passed by Town Meeting with approval of the state legislature 2 years ago.  At that time it did not seem necessary to include the Sewer Superintendent under the authority of the Town Manager.  There are benefits to having the Sewer Commissioner and the Sewer Department remain an independent entity.  There are benefits and efficiencies to having the Sewer Commissioner come under the authority of the Town Manager.  The Finance Committee recommends that a committee be established to review this matter and to report to Town Meeting its findings and recommendations by the next Annual Town Meeting.  The Finance Committee suggests that such a process be instituted whenever such changes of significance are considered to the Town Charter.  

Article 8:  To see if the Town will vote to accept the updates and revisions to the General Bylaws as proposed by the Bylaw Review Committee, the complete text of which is on file with the Town Clerk’s Office, or take any other action relative thereto.

BY BYLAW REVIEW COMMITTEE   

Finance Committee recommends approval of this article.  The Bylaw Review Committee did an excellent job of soliciting comments and suggestions from all of the entities involved or affected by their proceedings.  They were responsive to changes the different departments suggested and were comprehensive in their approach and scope.  The committee listened to each department and when there were differences the dialogue and exchange was thoughtful and deliberative.

Article 9:  To see if the Town will vote to accept as a public way the roadway known as Orchard Lane and shown on a plan entitled “Roadway ASBUILT PLAN Orchard Lane in Abington, Mass.” From station 0+00 to station 1 = 80.25 in a subdivision known as Stevens Farm II dated July 16, 2005 prepared by Aaberg Associates Inc. and to accept all rights of ways and easements, or take any action relative thereto.

BY PETITION

Finance Committee recommends approval of this article.

Article 10:  To see if the Town will vote to approve the Master Tax Increment Financing Agreement (the “TIF”) between the Town and any owners of the real estate located within the North Abington Central Business District as shown on the map on file with the Town Clerk that subsequently apply and are approved by the Board of Selectmen, pursuant to G.L. 40 s 59.  Said TIF shall be substantially in the form as on file with the Town Clerk and presented to Town Meeting, and designate the North Abington Central Business District as a Tax Increment Financing Zone and an Economic Opportunity Area to be known as the North Abington Economic Opportunity Area all as shown on the map on file with the Town Clerk.

BY BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Finance Committee recommends approval of this article.  Approval of this article will designate the North Abington Central Business District as a Tax Increment Financing Zone and an Economic Opportunity Area which will give developers who wish to build in that area or businesses that wish to expand their businesses in that area special tax incentives.  The developers can negotiate deals directly with the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager, but all negotiated deals still must go through Town Meeting and be approved by the vote of Town Meeting before they can be ratified.