On September 20th Town Meeting passed Articles 2 and 4 easily. Article 3 received some discussion,but also passed with a substantial majority. Article 1, however, was not the “slam dunk” some thought it would be. But in the end, though it rattled the rim, it went through.

Article 1 pertained to adopting the Massachusetts “stretch code” which require that new construction, renovations, and home additions conform to more rigorous energy conservation standards. The article was one of two articles on the warrant that are criteria for qualifying the town as a Green Community. Once qualified, the town can apply for grants from the state that are underwritten by the utility companies.The base amount a town can  awarded is $125,000.  Some towns and cities have received in excess of $500,000.

Henry MacLean of the Alternative Energy Committee presented the background for the articles (e.g. the Green Communities Program , criteria required etc.). Katrina Cook of CSG (Conservation Services Group) provided details on what the stretch code requirements would be for the different types of construction (i.e. new vs renovation). Ms. Cook noted that she was present not as an employee of CSG but as a member of the Green Communities Technical Team. (You can find the Green Communities home page here.) To date 35 communities are designated Green Communities. (You can find them here. And a sample of the amounts of awards and what they were for can be found here.)

Town Meeting members rose to speak after the presentations. There were several concerns voiced: there was scepticism regarding the  impact on builders and homeowners regarding costs, there was concern about the limitation imposed on personal liberties, and there were concern about the impact on homeowners who needed to make unanticipated home repairs. Gene Irwin stated that HERS inspections which are required to gauge energy efficiency had “hidden costs.”  John Hajjar said it would add to bureaucracy and “add to cost guaranteed.” He also felt it was an “intrusion on our liberty.” Mary Kelly and Earl Fay both questioned impact on unanticipated repairs and Ms. Kelly asked what would happen if funds dried up and whether the code could be rescinded. Mr. Innes, Chairman of the Warrant Committee, said the funds did not come from state but consortium of utilities. Mr. Flynn, Town Counsel, confirmed that the code could be rescinded.

Among the Town Meeting members who spoke in favor of the article were Bill White and Geoff Wilkenson. Both cited the benefit passage of the article would have for future generations. Prior to the vote, Mr. Innes issued a terse statement in support saying the town would not have any money to address energy efficiency measures for its municipal buildings. Failure to pass the article meant failure to qualify as a green community. Hence, no funds would be offered and the town hasn’t the money in its coffers to reduce the town’s energy costs.

A voice vote was taken and Town Moderator Brian Walsh, ruled the article defeated. However, he received the requisite number of Town Meeting members to requests a standing vote count. The standing vote count  passed the article with 99 in favor and 68 opposed. Selectmen Sweeney and Shields both opposed the article. (They were voting as Town Meeting Members, not Selectmen.)

Article 3, which pertained to as of right siting,  also received a fair amount of discussion. There were concerns primarily about sound and its effects on nearby residents. Shields believing that some of the articles cited regarding noise had been fed by a group opposing the wind turbine construction said “We’re in a fight.” Quarry Hills, the owners of the Granite Links Golf course, have opposed the construction for some time. But he also stated, “If it is not a benefit for the town, we will not go forward.”  Ms. McEttrick also stated in response to a town meeting member Diane D’Agnostino citing the Maine Center for Disease Control’s investigation of wind turbine health effects that the Selectmen would be reviewing information as it became available and factor it into their decision-making process as they continue to move forward. Mr. Whiteside noted that this will change the zoning process taking “the Planning Board out of the picture.” The review and approval will lie with the Board of Selectmen. The Planning Board supported the article.

Article 2 which will impose a 20′ limit on accessory structures and thereby close a loophole in existing zoning passed quickly. The Planning Board will come back at Annual Town Meeting with a more comprehensive version of this article.  Article 4 allows the town to file a home rule petition regarding a liquor license for Ichiro Sushi. It does not guarantee the restaurant will get one but is the first step in that process. If state legislature rules favorable then the Selectmen will hold a public hearing on the matter and take it from there.