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Town approves homeless-shelter and camping ordinance after extended public comment
Summary
After extensive public comment that included shelter operators, volunteers and residents, the town approved Article 63 adopting a homeless-shelter and camping ordinance containing a 1,000-foot location restriction and an exception allowing the select board to override the restriction if it finds no adverse impact on public health, safety or welfare.
The town voted to adopt a homeless-shelter and camping ordinance (Article 63) after an extended public-comment period in which shelter staff, volunteers and residents urged caution about rules that could block local shelter capacity.
A shelter representative told the meeting the proposed 1,000-foot location restriction would prevent a planned family shelter at a church site from being built and said, "We're not asking the town for money. We're taking care of the town's people," urging officials to consider the facility's role in keeping families off the streets. The representative argued the shelter serves local residents, accepts referrals from hospitals and operates with oversight and standards.
Volunteer Ila Libby, who identified herself and her experience with the shelter, said many people use the shelter as a step toward stable housing: "There are many very good people that are at that shelter ... they had to go through the homeless shelter to get on the top of that list." She urged the town to preserve shelter options for families and children.
Other speakers pushed back on assertions that the shelter buses people in from elsewhere. A pantry board chair (who identified themselves as the pantry board chair) said those claims are "ridiculous," adding that the shelter accepts people who meet safety standards and that the majority are local residents seeking help.
The ordinance includes a clause barring licensed homeless shelters within 1,000 feet of a public or private school, safety zones, downtown areas and another licensed homeless shelter, but it also includes language allowing the select board to determine that a specific proximity "will not adversely impact public health, safety and welfare." Supporters of the restriction said it protects schools and other vulnerable sites; others warned the rule could block needed family shelters unless the select board uses the exception.
A motion to end debate was carried and the body then voted to approve Article 63 as written. The vote on ending debate and the final vote were conducted by voice/hand; specific tallies were not recorded in the transcript.
