Norwell public meetings in 2023
11 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Advisory Board
The Norwell Advisory Board met on May 8, 2023, and approved the minutes from three prior meetings (March 13, 20, and 21) with a minor correction to the March 20 minutes. No reserve fund transfer requests were received. The board discussed proposed language for Town Meeting articles on a rebound wall, Carleton Fields restoration, and Grange restoration. The meeting recessed until the conclusion of Annual Town Meeting and later adjourned.
- Approved minutes of March 13, 2023 meeting (5-0)
- Approved minutes of March 20, 2023 meeting as corrected (5-0)
- Approved minutes of March 21, 2023 meeting (5-0)
- Recessed until conclusion of Annual Town Meeting (5-0)
- Adjourned at 10:50 PM (5-0)
Advisory Board
The Norwell Advisory Board approved three reserve fund transfers totaling $237,711 to cover higher-than-budgeted costs for insurance, information technology, and workers compensation. The board also recommended several articles for the upcoming Town Meeting, including consolidating Town Hall improvement funds and authorizing transfers for union contracts, reserve fund replenishment, and snow/ice deficit. Dane Hutchison was appointed as signatory for summer reserve fund transfers.
- Approved $90,125 transfer from Reserve Fund for insurance costs (unanimous)
- Approved $125,000 transfer from Reserve Fund for IT contract and upgrades (unanimous)
- Approved $22,586 transfer from Reserve Fund for workers compensation (unanimous)
- Appointed Dane Hutchison as signatory for summer reserve fund transfers (7-0-1)
- Recommended Article 11 (Town Hall improvements consolidation) to Town Meeting (unanimous)
- Recommended Article 2 ($150,000 from Free Cash for union/personal contracts) to Town Meeting (unanimous)
- Recommended Article 3 ($100,000 supplemental transfer to Reserve Fund) to Town Meeting (unanimous)
- Recommended Article 4 ($50,000 for snow/ice deficit) to Town Meeting (unanimous)
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board voted to recommend several Annual Town Meeting articles to the town, including funding for road and drainage maintenance, personnel bylaw revisions, and zoning amendments. These recommendations cover infrastructure, staffing, and housing regulations.
- Recommended Revolving Funds article for Stetson Ford House ($25,000), Recycling RF ($80,000), and Council on Aging RF ($5,000) (Unanimous)
- Recommended Personnel Reclassifications and Personnel Bylaw Revisions articles (Unanimous)
- Recommended Highway/Trees & Grounds articles for drainage ($220,000), road resurfacing ($250,000), MS4 compliance ($10,000), Chapter 90 advance funds ($466,359.33), debris removal ($150,000), traffic safety ($10,000), and emergency tree work ($100,000) (Unanimous)
- Recommended Masthead Improvements article for $75,000 (Unanimous)
- Recommended Planning Board article to allow an alternate member appointment (6-0-0)
- Recommended zoning articles for Retreat Lots, Aquifer Protection District, and Structure definitions (Unanimous)
- Recommended Village Residential Overlay District amendment (6-0-1)
- Recommended ADU revisions, ADU conversion amendment, and Solar Photovoltaic Overlay District amendments (Unanimous)
Advisory Board
The Board recommended the FY 2024 Town Budget of $64,656,002.69 and several capital spending requests. It also voted on numerous Community Preservation Act (CPA) articles and special town meeting items, including a $5 million proposal for a new Town Hall.
- Approved FY 24 capital spending requests of $449,965 (unanimous)
- Recommended $5,000,000 purchase of 93 Longwater Circle for Town Hall (6-0-2)
- Recommended FY 2024 Town Budget of $64,656,002.69 (unanimous)
- Approved $228,480 for Norwell Grange Restoration (5-3-0)
- Approved $100,000 distribution to Community Housing Trust (7-1-0)
- Denied $125,000 for Middle School Practice Wall (3-5-0)
- Denied $75,000 for Whiting Fields Enhancements (3-5-0)
- Denied $130,000 for Gaffield Performance Plaza (2-6-0)
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board unanimously recommended FY 2024 budget amounts for 20 different town departments and boards. The Water Department budget recommendation was tabled for further review. The board also discussed a proposed article for Conservation land maintenance.
- Recommended FY 24 Conservation Department budget of $154,196.13 (Unanimous)
- Recommended FY 24 Historical Commission budget of $4,000 (Unanimous)
- Recommended FY 24 CPC budget of $80,000 (Unanimous)
- Tabled FY 24 Water Department budget recommendation
- Recommended FY 24 Town Meeting budget of $11,800 (Unanimous)
- Recommended FY 24 Advisory Board budget of $2,200 (Unanimous)
- Recommended FY 24 Reserve Fund budget of $350,000 (Unanimous)
- Recommended FY 24 Board of Assessors budget of $202,090.96 (Unanimous)
Advisory Board
The Board reviewed proposed FY 2024 budgets for the Commission on Disabilities and the Water Department. Members also discussed multiple draft Community Preservation Committee (CPC) articles for historic preservation, land conservation, and recreation projects.
- Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Accepted February 16 meeting minutes (unanimous, 2 abstentions)
- Accepted February 28 meeting minutes (unanimous)
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board reviewed proposed FY 2024 budgets for Planning, Recreation, the Cushing Center, the Health Department, the Mooring Administrator, and the Veterans Officer. No formal votes were taken on the budget requests, which are currently department-level proposals subject to trimming. The board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the February 13 meeting.
- Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Approved February 13, 2023 meeting minutes (5-0-2)
Advisory Board
The Board reviewed proposed FY 2024 budget requests for various town departments, including the Town Clerk, Building/ZBA, and IT Services. The Board discussed the deteriorating condition of the Fire Department's SCBA compressor and agreed to its replacement.
- Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Accepted minutes from February 9, 2023 meeting (unanimous)
- Agreed to order replacement SCBA compressor for Fire Department
- Adjourned meeting at 8:47 PM (unanimous)
Advisory Board
The Board reviewed proposed FY 2024 budgets for the Police and Fire Departments, including requests for new equipment and staffing. No formal votes were taken on budget approvals, though the agenda was approved. The Board discussed the potential replacement of a fire department compressor.
- Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Adjourned the meeting at 9:10 PM (unanimous)
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board approved two reserve fund transfers to cover emergency and previously authorized expenses. The board also reviewed various budget categories and projections for FY 2024.
- Approved $195,000 reserve transfer for fire truck purchase (6-0)
- Approved $6,400 reserve transfer for removal of three hazard trees behind the library (5-0, 1 abstain)
- Approved the meeting agenda as printed (5-0)
Advisory Board
The Board approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes. Members discussed the failure of a Special Town Meeting vote to purchase 83 Longwater Drive and reviewed the FY 2023 year-to-date financial status and FY 2024 budget process.
- Approved the meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Accepted minutes of the January 23, 2023 meeting (unanimous)
- Set a 7 PM start time for meetings beginning February 13