ACUSHNET — On September 30, Acushnet will hold its special fall meeting, where residents will be asked to vote on 17 articles. Here’s a quick look at some of the major decisions facing those attending Monday’s meeting.
Article 5 will ask members of the city council whether they would like to amend the city charter to remove language that prohibits individuals who have served on city governing bodies from accepting city employment for two years after the end of their term. In addition to those who have served on boards or commissions, the changes made in this section would also affect former city moderators and city clerks, the section states.
According to an explanation of the article included in a copy of the warrant, the current two-year limitation – as set out in Article 3-1-2 of the Charter – “imposes draconian restrictions on the filling of vacant positions with competent candidates.
“It is also somewhat redundant because the Massachusetts Ethics Law sufficiently restricts public officials from profiting from or participating in matters with which they have had to deal as elected officials.”
Articles 14-17 are intertwined, essentially asking the Select Board for permission to enter into an “Energy Savings Performance Contract” with solar company Trane, for up to $4,200,000, and for up to 20 years. The contract would include “the turnkey design, installation, commissioning and performance assurance for specific energy infrastructure and efficiency projects at Acushnet Elementary School and Albert F. Ford Middle School.”
According to the language in Section 14, “all or a portion of the funds to finance the energy infrastructure and efficiency projects will ultimately come from the energy savings guaranteed by Trane…” Section 14 also asks for permission for city officials “to determine whether the allocation is conditioned on the approval of a debt foreclosure pursuant to Proposition 2½… at a city council election.”
The town’s special fall meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m. at Albert F. Ford Middle School, 708 Middle Road. A copy of the warrant and other information can be found on the Town of Acushnet’s website, www.acushnet.ma.us.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Special town meeting in Acushnet set for Sept. 30
