[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6469807,"mediaKeyId","5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb","parentId",5780442,"title","Lakeville town meeting votes: transfers, budgets, capital items and zoning changes","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",437000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb&start=437&end=437","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb/thumbnail_437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469807/Massachusetts/Lakeville-town-meeting-votes-transfers-budgets-capital-items-and-zoning-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469807-c9488968ae169127e99e657de92c8678/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034032&Signature=EEXXF5vCa3DPDUU6s8vEunfmHse26W9qGcor-412l60BkC4HR4Pfb5gvr0yQtnzx0Tih7LKBPuB~QDR7jatYQ3saDtB27tC3zsNgT7mBMEj8oPhGebDAnA8A6e7ftSm82gidD8mrkLEh4higou0N2bNCQjQny6WOSZwOqp71UdSFsecXHXnD5ANvM-x9TTAK4x53OvIHe6NKunOHIsNYy9judHFcpXMdzEfUUSqZT6k5aFL6jG9Joj1c1c2snP3WB63sppt-8gqm0jLg~qzSKXZDt2CI0dj~9Gs3SkYigLoEQArxP3~udhliPpUBvE4864eL9-8iezGeWxbiaAe8Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lakeville","date","2025-09-17T00:02:19.583Z","article","Here are the principal outcomes from Lakeville’s special and annual town meetings on June 11, 2007. Counts are recorded where a formal count or two‑thirds threshold was required or was taken.

Special town meeting (selected outcomes)
- Article 1 (Transfers to cover FY2007 unanticipated costs): Appropriated a total of $184,832 to cover a variety of line‑item shortfalls (vocational tuitions, hourly wages, snow & ice, etc.). Passed unanimously by show of cards.
- Article 2 (creation of debt‑service stabilization fund and $360,000 transfer): Passed by two‑thirds (see separate article).
- Article 3 (accept Chapter 90 state allotment, $103,397 for roadway improvements): Passed unanimously.
- Article 4 (police station design and site): See separate detailed article; borrowing authorization passed (169‑25) and site authorization passed by majority.

Annual town meeting (selected outcomes and counts where recorded)
- Article 1 (raise and appropriate salaries for elected officers): Passed unanimously.
- Article 2 (FY2008 operating budget and related transfers): The meeting approved an emergency amendment to transfer $93,400 from stabilization to the Lakeville Elementary School budget (two‑thirds; moderator reported the amendment received 151 votes and met the two‑thirds requirement). The full FY2008 operating budget as amended then passed by two‑thirds (tellers reported 182 yes, 1 no).
- Article 3 (County Cooperative Extension share, $200): Passed unanimously.
- Article 4 (Plymouth County retirement assessment, $580,767): Passed unanimously.
- Article 5 (Old Colony Regional Vocational High School assessment, $673,066): Passed unanimously.
- Article 6 (Freetown‑Lakeville Regional School assessment, $5,798,898): Passed unanimously (Finance Committee registered reservations about use of deficit‑reduction funds at the regional level).
- Article 7 (vocational education tuitions and transportation, $81,762): Passed unanimously.
- Article 8 (out‑of‑district special‑education tuition, $717,768): Passed by majority; Finance Committee noted legal obligation and significant cost for 21 students.
- Article 9 (recertification of values, $30,000): Passed unanimously.
- Article 10 (capital items appropriations, $456,000; borrowing authorized for ambulance, roll‑off truck, cruisers, etc.): Passed unanimously; transfer station vehicle and containers to be repaid from transfer station revenues.
- Article 11 (lease of administrative vehicle for assessor, $2,400): Passed unanimously.
- Article 12 (accept Chapter 90 allotment, $278,955 for roadway improvements): Passed unanimously.
- Article 13 (postpone matter indefinitely): Motion to postpone was approved.
- Article 14 (reserve fund, $50,000): Passed unanimously.
- Article 15 (Water Pollution Abatement Trust projects: $23,312): Passed unanimously; funds are to be lent and repaid by property owners under Board of Health agreements.
- Article 16 (sewer project for Long Pond shorefront, $27.83 million borrowing): Finance Committee did not recommend; article was defeated (no affirmative cards raised; moderator declared it defeated).
- Article 17 (add night‑sky bylaw to general bylaws): Passed by majority.
- Articles 18–22 (zoning changes and related text): Several zoning amendments passed, including a clarification to intensity regulations (Article 18 — counted vote 100 yes, 13 no; passed two‑thirds), restrictions and special‑permit language for drive‑through and fast‑food facilities (Articles 19–21 — passed; Article 19 reported 128‑0), and a zoning map amendment to add several lots and Laurie Lane into the business district (Article 22 — counted 123 yes, 5 no; passed two‑thirds).

What to watch next
- Capital projects and the police station design: the town has authorized design borrowing and a site and will need additional approvals and funding votes before construction.
- School funding FY2009: officials repeatedly raised the likelihood the town will need longer‑term revenue solutions (override or debt exclusion) if recurring shortfalls persist; the emergency use of stabilization funds reduces near‑term reserves.
- Zoning changes along Route 105 and the business district map amendment: these votes change where certain commercial uses are allowed and will affect future permitting and site planning.

Short quote: Moderator (on procedural requirements): \"In order to be able to vote, you must be seated in the auditorium. You can't be standing in the back.\" (reminder given before counted votes.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lakeville Special and Annual Town Meeting, 6/11/07 ARCHIVE","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of the principal votes taken at Lakeville’s special and annual town meetings on June 11, 2007, including routine appropriations, capital borrowing, regional school assessments, zoning changes and a defeated sewer proposal.","taxTitle","Town of Lakeville, Plymouth County, Massachusetts","taxId",58187,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469812,"Town establishes debt‑service/capital stabilization fund and transfers $360,000",252,723000,975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb&start=723&end=975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb/thumbnail_723000.jpg","/articles/6469812/Massachusetts/Town-establishes-debtservicecapital-stabilization-fund-and-transfers-360000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469812-ac28b404b0034279f8295a3b1809c9dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034032&Signature=hFSGEmk3m~Zx2JFr0ee~A9xsNSpxyKoHq~4xsZi0Hu9PaHQNsP1gBxWj7-k4JT9Ukaz1iR2zK3Ks8HcYvcBfJJNlICTYjfrlJoonNLZyv8PiD-6FKT9Lco~oBIDpPtbK3jTUUhFNzWymRnjZBvwoyl~wLO4ayfP~iz3Vq3uXG23tYSFJphOP2pTuh1r6aIvxt4eCFtgNVqcomaci19xqjv9nuw~MRDFI-aFgUVfJGWVVtZvwviycZVOIBroNfIJ6wh-CUZFUO5pjr4ZzhRaTUXwZwR0r4TNRa~7~p4v-JD3VGXT7cE1uSy3uzTr4rvT-bbZvQAlfenZ0Ic-ptcsyWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town meeting voted to create a special‑purpose stabilization fund for debt service and capital projects under General Laws chapter 40, section 5B and to transfer $360,000 into that fund from a special revenue reserve for appropriation.

The motion was presented as a means to smooth increases in debt service anticipated for fiscal 2008 and beyond: speakers explained the town expected debt service to increase substantially in FY2009 and later years and that the one‑time revenues (state incentives and mitigation payments) totaling $360,000 would be better held in a stabilization account earmarked for debt service.

The measure required a two‑thirds vote. Counters reported 183 in favor and 1 opposed; the moderator declared the article passed by more than two‑thirds.

Clarifying details offered at the meeting: the $360,000 combined a $350,000 state incentive, a $25,000 mitigation payment (from a Walgreens agreement) and an estimated $15,000 in legal fees, producing the net transfer amount described in the motion.

What happens next: funds are now set aside in the debt service/capital projects stabilization account to be used in future years to defray anticipated increases in debt service. The Finance Committee had recommended the action.","Voters created a special stabilization fund for debt service and capital projects and approved a $360,000 transfer into it, aiming to smooth rising debt service in coming years.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":42,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469817,"Lakeville voters tap stabilization fund to cover $93,400 elementary school shortfall",3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb&start=3776&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","/articles/6469817/Massachusetts/Lakeville-voters-tap-stabilization-fund-to-cover-93400-elementary-school-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469817-840e0ff49b3abbf87170401e97d7e4c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034032&Signature=QaIkD-Al4x2ykauH9ukOdRMpFZNLKmUStefckaA5KJuxWhyEbVEMC2jE~k56MynM7c41XvYrQ8zchWihLVu8jTJHdvJY2EGrjNo4FwihpnzKikdFs5dmC36SO3l5RWzPfsj~GHO6zstMFoNGjIxjZWQjiSUItox8yhzDdGrrT2sLwlrM54Y94Ck5MFzDcEcK~aKEZYpH0wx2-2VzyT4t-ztNYW126JfK0sJNk9AGycARGxHjS9FBwSXdv8bkum48Djro7ZKw7lV2akbcZifzqjcA3QnmGxg74bwabafOsnZXKhifO4tJxmSWCzIMJMJKV~C6WN4hQdmvQhn9bws07A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town meeting voted to transfer $93,400 from the town’s stabilization fund to increase the fiscal‑year 2008 operating budget for Lakeville’s elementary schools. The motion to transfer the funds was presented by David Goodfell, chairman of the Lakeville School Committee, and supported unanimously by the Finance Committee following a late notice that a $44,000 special‑needs pre‑K grant would not be available.

The amendment to the recommended budget required a two‑thirds vote because it drew from the stabilization fund; counters reported that the measure exceeded the two‑thirds threshold (the moderator said the motion “got a 151,” and declared it passed). The moderator then put the remainder of Article 2, the annual operating budget, to a townwide two‑thirds vote; that full budget measure also passed on the required two‑thirds count (the moderator announced the vote as 182 in favor, 1 opposed).

Why it mattered: School and town officials told meeting attendees the school budget was already lean and that the loss of the $44,000 grant, combined with contract and utility pressures, would force cuts that would affect classroom staffing, class size, instructional materials and mandated special‑education services. The school committee described the increase as “barely adequate” to maintain required and otherwise essential services.

School committee chairman David Goodfell said the additional funds were needed to avoid eliminating a retiring teacher’s replacement, to keep class sizes manageable and to preserve essential counseling and remedial services. “What this money provides is barely adequate for these children,” he said.

Supporters urged urgency and framed the transfer as an emergency measure to protect students. Several speakers — including a former finance‑committee chair and other longtime budget participants — acknowledged the danger of drawing down the stabilization fund but argued the town’s immediate obligation to students justified the step.

Opponents and fiscal cautions: Selectwoman Nancy Yates and other officials warned that excessive depletion of the stabilization fund would reduce the town’s reserve to levels that could affect its bond rating and leave little margin for other emergencies; Yates noted the town’s need to leave stabilization funds available for unplanned costs such as plowing, ambulance replacement or retirement obligations. Selectmen said they would prefer more advance notice on school budget shortfalls so the town could plan earlier rather than relying on stabilization as a recurring fix.

What happens next: The town operating budget, as amended, was approved and will be implemented for fiscal 2008. Town officials and school leaders indicated they will continue efforts to pursue additional revenues and grants and to coordinate earlier in the budget cycle to avoid repeat emergency requests.

Votes recorded in the meeting: transfer from stabilization to increase elementary school budget (amendment to Article 2) — passed by two‑thirds (moderator reported the measure received 151 affirmative votes and the required two‑thirds); Article 2 (full fiscal 2008 operating budget, as amended) — passed by two‑thirds (tellers reported 182 yes, 1 no).","After extended debate, town meeting approved a $93,400 transfer from the stabilization fund to raise the Lakeville elementary school operating budget, citing loss of a grant and urgent needs for staffing, materials and special education supports.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_46":103,"_48":104,"_50":105,"_52":106,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":107,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":108,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6469822,"Lakeville approves $150,000 to design new police station; site choice cleared for petition to state",1462,1051000,2513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb&start=1051&end=2513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780442-eff3d44c48d8c943b8a610efd708dabb/thumbnail_1051000.jpg","/articles/6469822/Massachusetts/Lakeville-approves-150000-to-design-new-police-station-site-choice-cleared-for-petition-to-state","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469822-9ad31456644eea4974852ebc0fbd98e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034032&Signature=O~9to7a8LrwxJyzz4BmpvwxyfrCHB5ZyEUuvr6fzeTVuZWnBBMdaGEj34Tf2-IRxO6525v3m0ixBLe69DhmqT82QKZe-fVZo-Mp-iNuqPpp9MQ~J-Uu1LBcTmo4e8IVFjqphSplFJES45C3QRZh4yCNUvAiPeVZtMbEPuBH2NsfGSTYsTIz3EY~r2fqyDofSWERAv7iWR4i7BPJ2MPPjE4Z1RLfGMgpOABvC~l0EpCl568eVAkIcxDFEf31MPkQgRBEJmcGqpVjKuRTO3Y9bkmOclGxZu0AARg4FWnfwmlplaK1H8W2JB4uuZbb-87tYtFkWzjZ-lZmD1SoW3CL5jw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town meeting voted to borrow $150,000 to pay for design and related professional work for a proposed new Lakeville police station and then approved the site recommended by the feasibility committee.

The meeting’s first vote on the borrowing -- the portion of Article 4 that authorized the town treasurer, with selectmen approval, to borrow under Chapter 44 for design costs -- required a two‑thirds majority and passed after a counted vote. The tellers reported 169 in favor and 25 opposed; the moderator declared the measure approved by more than the required two‑thirds.

The second, separate portion of the warrant article asked voters to approve siting the police station on the lot adjacent to the senior center and Federal Municipal Park (referred to in the presentation as the Precinct Street site) and to allow town officials to petition the General Court if state legislation is needed for that location. That portion passed by a majority vote.

Why it mattered: Architects hired by the feasibility committee told the meeting that Lakeville’s existing public safety buildings are undersized and not seismically stable for continued public‑safety use, and that substantial structural retrofit costs made reuse impractical. Joe Milani of Castle Boos Architects summarized a study that produced a space‑needs assessment, existing‑condition surveys and a site evaluation. The committee prioritized a new police station on the Precinct Street site, a replacement or substantial renovation for the existing fire station on Bedford Street, and renovations/additions to the town offices so the historic Pump House could remain municipal space.

“The police station is most compatible with Site 4C, adjacent to the senior center and Federal Municipal Park,” Joe Milani said during the presentation. He described a single‑story, residential‑scale building sited back from the road to blend with the town’s semi‑rural character.

Selectman Charles Evers, who helped lead the feasibility committee, said the $150,000 is “only the very first step in a very large project” and that the town will seek grant money and consider rolling initial design debt into a later debt exclusion for the full project.

Opposition and concerns: The planning process and siting drew questions from several attendees about alternative locations (including a Route 18 parcel) and about the impact on parkland and tree cover. Evers said the park commission had reservations about siting adjacent to the athletic club because it would remove a tree buffer and open a clear‑cut view from the road; the committee consulted the park commission in selecting the Precinct Street location.

What happens next: With design funds authorized, the town can engage architects and other professionals to prepare designs, drawings and bid materials. Voters also approved the site authorization so the selectmen may pursue any necessary legislative approval. Further funding for construction would require later votes and likely additional financing decisions.

Votes, as recorded in the meeting: borrowing/design authorization (Article 4, portion one) — 169 yes, 25 no (two‑thirds required; passed); siting and petition to the General Court (Article 4, portion two) — majority (vote taken by show of cards; moderator declared passed).

Context: The Castle Boos feasibility presentation described deficiencies in the 1930s police building and earlier additions to the pump house and town offices. The firm recommended new construction for public safety functions and retaining the pump house/town offices on the existing town offices site because of a deed restriction tying that parcel to municipal use.

","Town meeting approved borrowing authorization for a $150,000 design appropriation for a new police station and separately approved locating the station on the Precinct Street site shown in a feasibility study by Castle Boos Architects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lakeville town meeting votes: transfers, budgets, capital items and zoning changes

Town establishes debt‑service/capital stabilization fund and transfers $360,000

Lakeville voters tap stabilization fund to cover $93,400 elementary school shortfall

Lakeville approves $150,000 to design new police station; site choice cleared for petition to state