Littleton Board Tackles Orchard Sale and Public Input Concerns
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
04/22/2024
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Recording Published:
04/23/2024
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Duration:
156 Minutes
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Littleton
- Meeting Overview:
At a recent Littleton Board of Selectmen meeting, the potential sale of Nagog Hill Orchard emerged as a key issue, drawing significant public concern and debate among the board members. The discussion revolved around the declaration of the orchard as surplus property and the subsequent steps required to sell it, including the approval of a warrant article. Public concerns were raised about the perceived lack of transparency and input in the decision-making process, prompting the board and the Orchard working group to propose measures to enhance public engagement. These measures include adding two public at-large members to the working group, organizing public input sessions on the criteria for the request for proposal (RFP), and committing to an open public meeting with a joint vote on the final decision regarding the purchaser.
In addressing the public’s concerns, the board grappled with the feasibility of involving the public in the final decision-making process and the potential impact on the quality of applicants if the decision were contingent upon a town meeting vote. The board and the working group committed to finding a resolution that would address the concerns raised by the public while also adhering to the necessary legal and practical considerations.
Another important topic covered at the meeting was the resident’s concerns raised by Rob Brown about stop signs and traffic visibility in the Long Lake neighborhood. Brown’s concerns about unauthorized stop signs and obstructed visibility led to a discussion among board members. The focus was on providing safe streets for pedestrians and vehicles, with additional discussion about the role of the Conservation Commission in this matter.
The board also engaged in discussions about the town administrative performance review. There was an emphasis on the importance of conducting performance reviews in a timely manner and the challenges posed by the timing of the reviews, particularly in relation to the election cycle. The board members deliberated on the timeline for conducting performance reviews and the need for input from all members.
Further discussions included the approval of the veterans agent’s request for the upcoming Memorial Day Parade, a vote on the revised vehicle use policy, and the consideration of amendments related to naming, special circumstances, and acceptable driver guidelines. The debate focused on the criteria for acceptable drivers, with suggestions to revise the policy to allow for two at-fault accidents rather than one within the last three years.
The meeting also touched upon various community events and updates, such as the upcoming zero waste day event, the senior center groundbreaking, and the police department’s award for the FBI leader program. Additionally, the board praised the town’s bond rating and discussed seeking support from the congresswoman’s office and the Littleton Water and Light Department for infrastructure funding.
The discussion about the Littleton Works transportation service was also noteworthy, as the board transitioned the service to a point-to-point model due to low ridership on the fixed route to local shopping destinations. Residents are now required to call ahead to schedule rides.
The decision to work on an MOA and potentially expand the committee by two members was reached through consensus.
The Board of Selectmen also reviewed the annual town meeting warrant, the town meeting schedule, and the assignment of articles, which was described as a more straightforward part of the meeting. The board members assigned themselves to speak on each of the 33 articles for the upcoming town meeting, and discussed the error on the cover of the town warrant and various ways to inform the public about the correct date.
James Duggan
City Council Officials:
Gary Wilson, Charles DeCoste, Mark Rambacher, Matthew Nordhaus, Karen Morrison
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Meeting Type:
City Council
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Meeting Date:
04/22/2024
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Recording Published:
04/23/2024
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Duration:
156 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Middlesex County
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Towns:
Littleton
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