In a previous post, I discussed the five criteria needed in order to become a designated "Green Community." Two of those criteria can be met with a single amendment to the Zoning Bylaw. The amendment would allow a solar photovoltaic electrical generation facility to locate by right (that is, without requiring a special permit) somewhere in Town and to do so with an "expedited permitting" process that would result in a permit within 12 months of application.
The type of facility that must be allowed needs to have a minimum capacity of 250 kilowatts. It is estimated that such a facility would require about an acre of land. Both the Energy Committee and Planning Board have been working on a warrant article that, if passed at Annual Town Meeting next April, would meet the 2 criteria.
The State has provided a model bylaw that contains most of the technical language that needs to be included in the bylaw. While decisions still need to be made about the exact proposal, what has been discussed is to designate the former landfill site (transfer station and recycling center) and/or the existing electrical transmission lines (and possibly some adjacent land) as an overlay district that would qualify as a site for such a facility. While the use would be allowed by right under the Zoning Bylaw, it would still be subject to site plan review by the Planning Board, all Conservation Commission regulations and any other Town requirements.
Such a bylaw would provide an economic use for land that otherwise has little or no economic value. It could provide revenue to the Town through a ground lease(if located on a Town-owned site like the former landfill) and possibly through lower utility bills. In addition, qualifying as a Green Community would make the Town eligible for grants for other alternative energy or conservation projects, further reducing Town costs.
I will provide more information on this and other aspects of the effort to become a Green Community as it becomes available.
Monday, November 15, 2010
MORE ON OPEN MEETING LAW
In my earlier posting, I suggested that "posting" meeting notices is an obsolete and antiquated practice that reaches few people. I suggested that the practice should continue but that missing a posting should not be considered a "fatal flaw' in the process. I will now provide a real-life example of how such a requirement can inhibit the efficient functioning of government.
Last week, Thursday was a holiday (Veterans Day) so Town Hall was closed. Most Town offices (including the Town Clerk) are always closed on Friday. On Wednesday afternoon, a particular committee decided it wanted to postpone its meeting scheduled for that night to the following Tuesday evening. This was a full 6 days in advance. A second committee also came in to post a meeting for the following Monday (5 days in advance). However, the Assistant Town Clerk had left for the day at noon (due to limited hours) and the Town Clerk was busy and could not accept the postings. Therefore, at least 2 committees had to postpone their meetings until at least Wednesday evening so they could be posted on Monday and meet the 48-hour rule.
I fully understand the limitations of a part-time work force and the complicating factor of holidays. However, again there is a technological solution to this problem.
Now that Sherborn has an electronic monitor facing the window at the front entrance, why not allow postings to become fully automated? That is, a set of rules could be established and just as we currently fill out a form for the posting that is sent to the Town Clerk's office , why couldn't that posting go directly to the monitor? An auto-reply could confirm receipt of the notice as well as establish the day and time of receipt to ensure that it is received at least 48-hours in advance (excluding Saturdays and Sundays). The form on the Town Clerk's web site is already set up with required fields so that ensures completeness in the postings.
Access for submitting postings could be restricted to designated staff, committee chairs, etc. Furthermore, the notices could still be reviewed by the Town Clerk's office to ensure compliance and if any notices were found to be not in compliance for whatever reason, then the meeting could be cancelled and rescheduled with the proper notice. Coupled with a web site posting, this scenario would not only allow more flexibility in scheduling meetings with no loss in public access, but would actually increase such access through the web site posting.
Last week, Thursday was a holiday (Veterans Day) so Town Hall was closed. Most Town offices (including the Town Clerk) are always closed on Friday. On Wednesday afternoon, a particular committee decided it wanted to postpone its meeting scheduled for that night to the following Tuesday evening. This was a full 6 days in advance. A second committee also came in to post a meeting for the following Monday (5 days in advance). However, the Assistant Town Clerk had left for the day at noon (due to limited hours) and the Town Clerk was busy and could not accept the postings. Therefore, at least 2 committees had to postpone their meetings until at least Wednesday evening so they could be posted on Monday and meet the 48-hour rule.
I fully understand the limitations of a part-time work force and the complicating factor of holidays. However, again there is a technological solution to this problem.
Now that Sherborn has an electronic monitor facing the window at the front entrance, why not allow postings to become fully automated? That is, a set of rules could be established and just as we currently fill out a form for the posting that is sent to the Town Clerk's office , why couldn't that posting go directly to the monitor? An auto-reply could confirm receipt of the notice as well as establish the day and time of receipt to ensure that it is received at least 48-hours in advance (excluding Saturdays and Sundays). The form on the Town Clerk's web site is already set up with required fields so that ensures completeness in the postings.
Access for submitting postings could be restricted to designated staff, committee chairs, etc. Furthermore, the notices could still be reviewed by the Town Clerk's office to ensure compliance and if any notices were found to be not in compliance for whatever reason, then the meeting could be cancelled and rescheduled with the proper notice. Coupled with a web site posting, this scenario would not only allow more flexibility in scheduling meetings with no loss in public access, but would actually increase such access through the web site posting.
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