TOWN OF ASHLAND ****************** ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT 2018

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1 Article 1: Hear Town Reports Sponsor: Board of Selectmen TOWN OF ASHLAND ****************** ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT 2018 To see if the Town will hear the reports of the several town committees and to accept those as printed in the Annual Town Report, or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 2: Transfer to OPEB Trust: Sponsor: Board of Selectmen To see if the Town will transfer $145,235 from OPEB Contribution Account # to the OPEB Trust, Account # , or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 3: Transfer from SPED Stabilization: Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/School Committee To see if the Town will transfer $175,000 from the SPED Special Purpose Stabilization Fund, Account #84100 to the Local Education General Fund, Account ; or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 4: Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Sponsor: Town Manager To see if the Town will vote to raise, appropriate and/or transfer from available funds in the treasury such sums of money as are necessary to defray charges and expenses of the town, including debt and interest, for the ensuing fiscal year, or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 5: Capital Plan Sponsor: Town Manager To see if the Town will vote to raise, appropriate, transfer from available funds in the treasury and/or borrow funds in order to fund a portion of the Capital Plan and if a borrowing that any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of the issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with G.L. c of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount to be borrowed to pay such cost by a like amount, or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 6: MSBA and School Feasibility Study Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/School Committee 1

2 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate, borrow or transfer from available funds, an amount of money to be expended under the direction of the David Mindess School Building Committee for a Feasibility Study for the David Mindess Elementary School located at 90 Concord Street, Ashland, MA, for which feasibility study the Town may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The MSBA s grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any costs the Town incurs in connection with the feasibility study in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town and further provided that the appropriation hereunder shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of the Town to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes imposed by M.G.L. 59, Section 21C (Proposition 2½), and that the amount of borrowing authorized pursuant to this vote shall be reduced by any grant amount set forth in the Feasibility Study Agreement that may be executed between the Town and the MSBA. Or to take any other action relative thereto. Article 7: Annual Consent Article - General Sponsor: Board of Selectmen To see if the Town will vote the following consent articles: 1. Grant Program Authorization - To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and/or the Town Manager to apply for, accept and enter into contracts from time to time for the expenditure of any funds allotted to Ashland by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the U. S. Government under any State or Federal grant program; 2. Road Contracts - To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Manager to enter into a contract with the Massachusetts Highway Department Commissioner or the Federal Government for the construction and maintenance of public highways in the Town of Ashland for the ensuing year; 3. Contracts in Excess of Three Years - To see if the Town will vote in accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30B, 12, to authorize the Town Manager or the Superintendent of Schools to solicit and award contracts for terms exceeding three years, including any renewal, extension or option, provided in each instance the longer term is determined to be in the best interest of the Town by a vote of the Board of Selectmen or the School Committee, as appropriate; 4. Lease Purchase Agreements To see if the Town will vote in accordance with the provisions of G.L.c C to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into lease purchase financing agreements to acquire equipment or improve a capital asset that may be financed by the issuance of dept under G. L. c. 44 or otherwise allowed by law, for a term up to the useful life of the property and to be procured in accordance with appropriate procurement laws. or take any other action relative thereto. 5. Revolving Funds: To see if the Town will vote to fix the maximum amount that may be spent during FY 2019 beginning July 1, 2018 for the revolving funds established in the town bylaws for certain departments, boards, committees, agencies or officers in accordance with G.L. c E 1/2, or take any other action relative thereto. 6. Grant Easements: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee to grant easements for access, water, drainage, sewer and utility purposes on terms and conditions the Board and the Committee deem in the best interest of the Town; or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. 2

3 ARTICLE 8: Application of Bond Premiums Sponsored: Finance Director. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the aggregate net premium paid, if any, to the Town upon the sale of bonds issued to pay costs of the purchase of the Warren Conference Center, Article 6 of the November 28, 2016 Special Town Meeting, Purchase of Oregon road Parcel 1 and Parcel 2 as approved in Article 6 and 7 of the May 3, 2017 Annual Town Meeting, and the capital plan authorization purchased pursuant to Article 4 of the May 3, 2017 Annual Town Meeting projects, to pay costs of such projects being financed by such bonds, and to reduce the amount authorized to be permanently financed for such projects by the same aggregate amount, as allocable to each project, or to take any other action relative thereto. Article 9: Annual Consent Article: Community Preservation Act Sponsor: Community Preservation Committee To see if the Town will vote the following consent articles: a. Community Preservation Funds FY19 Annual Appropriations - To see if the Town will vote to appropriate or reserve from the Community Preservation annual revenues in the amounts recommended by the Community Preservation Committee for committee administrative expenses, community preservation projects and other expenses in Fiscal Year 2019, with each item to be considered a separate appropriation: Appropriations: From FY 2019 estimated revenues to Committee Administrative Expense $ 53, Reserves: From FY 2019 estimated revenues to Historic Resources Reserve $ 101, From FY 2019 estimated revenues to Community Housing Reserve $ 101, From FY 2019 estimated revenues to Open Space Reserve $ 101, From FY 2019 estimated revenues to Undesignated Reserve $ 1,012, or pass any vote or take any other action relative thereto. b. Community Preservation Funds Oak Street Bond Payment - To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $168,150 in Community Preservation Act funds to fund the bond payment approved in Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting of November 26, 2007 that acquired by eminent domain a certain parcel of land off Oak Street, now or formerly owned by Stephanie A. and Kristen McCook consisting of 1,305,929 +/- sq. ft. and more particularly described as parcel #003D on the Assessors Map and further defined in an Order of Taking by Eminent Domain filed with the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds Southern District on January 7, 2002, all in accordance with the Agreement for Judgment issued by the Superior Court Department of the Trial Court, Civil Action No. MICV which amount supplemented the funds raised in its vote of Article 6 of the Fall Special Town Meeting of October 20, 1999, for the acquisition of the aforesaid parcel, from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Reserve Account, to be added to Debt Service passed in Article 3 of this Town Meeting; or pass any vote or take any other action relative thereto. 3

4 c. Community Preservation Funds H.S. Athletic Fields Bond Payment - To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $342,650 in Community Preservation Act funds to fund the bond payment approved in Article 11 of the Annual Town Meeting of May 4, 2011 to construct and equip athletic fields to be located at the Ashland High School and other ancillary uses and to pay for all related engineering and legal fees associated therewith from the Community Preservation Fund Undesignated Reserve Account, to be added to Debt Service passed in Article 3 of this Town Meeting; or pass any vote or take any other action relative thereto. d. Community Preservation Funds Warren Woods Bond Payment - To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $171,875 in Community Preservation Act funds to fund the bond payment for the purchase of that certain parcel of land which was owned by Northeastern University and described as Assessors Map 28, Lots 070 and 072, consisting of approximately /- acres, more or less, known as Warren Woods and which the Town acquired by deeds dated June 5, 2012 and recorded in Book 59237, Page 246 and Book Page 252 and which said expenditure and purchase was approved in Article 8 of the Special Town Meeting of November 29, 2010 and further modified by Article 5 of the Special Town Meeting of October 18, 2011, from the following FY 2014 CPA reserve accounts; Historic Resources Reserve $ 55,000 Open Space Reserve $ 46,406 Undesignated Reserve $ 70,469 or pass any vote or take any other action relative thereto. Article 10: Purchase of Land West Union Street Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Town Manager To see if the Town will vote to purchase, take or otherwise acquire the land known as and numbered 125 through 133 West Union Street, Ashland, Middlesex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts including the land shown as Parcel A., Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 3 on a plan entitled Plan of Land Ashland, MA dated January 21, 1997 as revised December 14, 1998 by GLM Engineering Consultants, Inc., 1750 Washington Street, Holliston, MA recorded as Plan Number 148 of 1999 in Plan Book 29795, Page 18 including 7.67 acres +/- and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into and negotiate all agreements necessary to effectuate same; and to pay for said acquisition along with all associated legal and engineering costs required to effectuate said purchase that the town raise and appropriate $3,500,000 and to meet said appropriation (1) authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow said sum under M.G.L. Chapter 44, or any other enabling authority, and that any premium received by the Town upon the sale of any bonds or notes approved by this vote, less any such premium applied to the payment of the costs of the issuance of such bonds or notes, may be applied to payment of costs approved by this vote in accordance with G.L. c of the General Laws, thereby reducing the amount to be borrowed to pay such cost by a like amount and further provided that said appropriation shall be subject to and contingent upon an affirmative vote of the Town to exempt the amounts required for the payment of interest and principal on said borrowing from the limitations on taxes imposed by M.G.L. Chapter 59, Section 21C (Proposition 2½), and (2) that of said borrowing $700,000 shall be paid from Community Preservation Act funds; or take any other action related thereto. Article 11: Grant and Receive Restrictive Covenant Sponsor: Board of Selectmen/Town Manager To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept a Restrictive Covenant for the land 4

5 known as and numbered 11 Frankland Road, Ashland, Middlesex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which is a portion of the land conveyed by deed recorded with the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book Page 349 and dated August 23, 2000, and by a reservation of rights in a deed recorded with said Registry at Book Page 553 and dated April 26, 2001 and meaning and intending to include the land shown as Lot 1 on a plan entitled Plan of Land in Ashland dated December 7, 2000 by GLM Engineering Consultants, Inc., 1750 Washington Street, Holliston, MA and recorded as Plan Number 428 of 2001 in Plan Book Plan 553 consisting of 2 sheets including acres +/-; and further to see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant a conservation restriction, historical restriction or any other restriction the Board determines in the best interest of the Town for the land known as and numbered 125 through 133 West Union Street, Ashland, Middlesex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts including the land shown as Parcel A., Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 3 on a plan entitled Plan of Land Ashland, MA dated January 21, 1997 as revised December 14, 1998 by GLM Engineering Consultants, Inc., 1750 Washington Street, Holliston, MA recorded as Plan Number 148 of 1999 in Plan Book 29795, Page 18 including 7.67 acres +/-, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into and negotiate all agreements necessary to effectuate same; or take any other action related thereto. Article 12: Funding to Purchase 133 West Union Property Sponsor: CPC To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $700,000 towards the total land acquisition expense ($3.5 million), to enable the Town of Ashland to acquire for open space and parkland purposes under Chapter 44B, the Community Preservation Act, the land as set forth in Article 10 above described as the land shown as Parcel A., Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 3 on a plan entitled Plan of Land Ashland, MA dated January 21, 1997 as revised December 14, 1998 by GLM Engineering Consultants, Inc., 1750 Washington Street, Holliston, MA recorded as Plan Number 148 of 1999 in Plan Book 29795, Page 18 including 7.67 acres +/- ; and that to meet this appropriation the sum of $600,000 be transferred from the Undesignated Community Preservation Fund balance, and $100,000 be transferred from the Open Space Resources Reserve Account from the Community Preservation Fund balance, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen to submit on behalf of the town any and all applications deemed necessary for grants and/or reimbursements from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or the United States, under the Self-Help Act (M.G.L. Chapter 132A 11) and/or any other state or federal programs including those in aid of conservation land acquisition; and/or any others in any way connected with the scope of this Article; said gifts or grants to be deposited in the Undesignated Community Preservation Fund balance up to the amount appropriated hereunder from Community Preservation Funds; and that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to enter into a perpetual conservation restriction on said parcels of land meeting the requirements of M.G.L. Chapter 44B, 12 and M.G.L. Chapter 184, 31-33, and to enter into all agreements and execute any and all instruments as may be necessary to affect said purchase, said funds to be expended by the Board of Selectmen and the Community Preservation Committee; or take any other action thereon. Article 13: Funding to Preserve Historic Exterior of the Barn and House at the 133 West Union Property Sponsor: CPC To see if the Town will vote to appropriate up to $100,000 to enable the Town of Ashland to complete preservation repairs on the two (2) historic structures (house and barn) located at 133 West Union Street and identified on the Massachusetts Historical Commission State Register of 5

6 Historic Places (MACRIS database as ASL.196 and ASL.27), to ensure their protection from further injury, harm or destruction, and provide stability and weather-tightness to the structures, to be completed in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, under Chapter 44B, the Community Preservation Act, and that to meet this appropriation, the sum of up to $100,000 be transferred from the Historic Resources Reserve Account from the Community Preservation Fund balance, with unexpended funds as of June 30, 2021 being returned to their funding sources, and further that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to enter into an Historic Preservation Restriction, if appropriate, for said structures in conformance with M.G.L. Chapter 184, 31-33; or pass any vote or take any other action thereon. Article 14: Funding to Purchase the Affordability Restriction at 128 Main Street Proposal Sponsor: CPC Article 15: Funding for Park Improvement at Stone Park Sponsor: CPC To see if the Town will vote to appropriate up to $41, in Community Preservation Act funds for the Town of Ashland Department of Public Works to fund recreational improvements at Stone Park (installation of (4) ADA-compliant Eco-friendly benches along the walkway, installation of (4) player benches with storage, installation of (3) 42-seat aluminum bleachers, and installation of (4) 20-foot long team dugouts with roofs), under Chapter 44B, the Community Preservation Act, and that to meet this appropriation, the sum of up to $41, be transferred from the Undesignated Reserve Account from the Community Preservation Fund balance, with unexpended funds as of June 30, 2021 being returned to their funding sources, or pass any vote or take any other action thereon. Article 16: Recreational Marijuana Prohibition Sponsor: Board of Selectmen To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town s General Bylaws by adding a new Chapter 81, Marijuana, that would provide as follows, and further to amend the Table of Contents to add Section, Marijuana, or take any action thereto: Chapter 81: Marijuana 81-1 Marijuana Establishments Prohibited. Consistent with G.L. c. 94G, 3(2), marijuana establishments as defined in M.G.L.A. C. 94G, 1, shall be prohibited within the Town of Ashland. This section 81-1 shall be effective upon passage by the voters at a Town Election Public consumption. 6

7 No person shall keep, use, consume or have in his possession any marijuana, as defined in M.G.L.A. C. 94G, 1, in any building or room owned or occupied by the town; nor shall any person consume any such marijuana while in or upon any public way without permission of the Board of Selectmen or without permission of the owner or person in control thereof upon any way, place or building to which members of the public have access as invitees or licensees, any park or playground or any private land, building or place Enforcement. This By-law may be enforced through any lawful means in law or in equity including, but not limited to, enforcement by criminal indictment or complaint pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, section 21, as amended, or by noncriminal disposition pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, section 21D, as amended, by the Board of Selectmen, the Town Administrator, or their duly authorized agents, or any police officer. The fine for violation of this By-law shall be $ for each offense. or take any other action related thereto. Article 17: Road Acceptance / Acquisition of Land Sponsor: Board of Selectmen To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire the land known as the MBTA Access Road and appurtenant easements from the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority ( MBTA ) all as shown on the Exhibits attached to that certain Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Board of Selectmen and the MBTA dated November 9, 2016 and as shown on the plans attached thereto and further that the Town accept the road known as the MBTA ACCESS ROAD as a public way and which layout is shown more fully shown on a plan entitled - and which includes linear feet as may be shown on the plan both the Agreement and the plan are on file with the Town Clerk s Office, and further that the Board be authorized to enter into any and all documents and agreements necessary to effectuate same, or take any action relative thereto. Article 18: Authorization to Create a Business Incentive Program Sponsor: Town Manager/Economic Development Director To see if the Town will vote authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court for Special Legislation entitled Town of Ashland Economic Development Funding Program authorizing the Town of Ashland to establish a grant and loan fund for the purpose of creating economic development tools and activities and further to authorize the Board of Selectmen to adopt rules and regulations for the management, acceptance and distribution of funds under the Act. Said Legislation to read as follows: An Act Creating the Town of Ashland Economic Development Funding Program Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows, provided, however, that the General Court may make clerical or editorial changes of form only to the bill, unless the Board of Selectmen approve amendments to the bill before enactment by the General Court, and provided further that the Board of Selectmen is hereby authorized to approve amendments which shall be within the scope of the general public objectives of this petition: 7

8 Town of Ashland Economic Development Funding Program It is hereby established in the Town of Ashland an Economic Development Funding Program which will create a loan and grant fund from which individuals or businesses may apply to borrow funds or receive grants for use on private property, and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary the Town of Ashland shall be permitted as hereinafter set forth, to create Economic Development Funding Program for the purposes set forth below and to be administered and carried out in accordance herewith. I Purpose: The overall purpose of the Town of Ashland Economic Development Funding Program ( Program ) shall be to provide assistance to private business and individuals in order to encourage and facilitate economic growth and development, including creation of jobs, improvement and enhancement of buildings and infrastructure and increase of the value of the real estate tax and general tax base. II Administration: The Programs shall be administered by the Board of Selectmen who shall adopt rules and regulations, following at least fourteen (14) days notice and a public hearing. Said rules and regulation shall establish the qualifications for receipt of a loan or grant from the Program, including but not limited to; eligibility thresholds, repayment terms of a loan, operations, administration and other matters necessary to implement and carry out the Program. III Funding: The Town shall be permitted to appropriate funds to support the Program and the Board of Selectmen shall be permitted to accept gifts of funds to support the Program to be held in a special revenue account. The Town Manager with the approval of the Board of Selectmen shall be permitted to establish sub-catagories within the special revenue account for a particular purpose established hereunder. All revenues received, including repayment of loan proceeds shall be held year to year in the special revenue account and all interest attributable thereto shall be credited to said account. IV Programs: The Town Manager with approval of the Board of Selectmen may establish programs hereunder, through regulation, such as; sign and façade improvements, rent, utililty and equipment support, leasehold improvements, operating capital, acquisition of land and buildings, new construction, building renovation, landscape and property improvements, machinery and equipment purchases, soft cost expenses related to real estate development. Except as noted above, funds may not be used for improvements to the interior of the business premises or to sidewalks or public walkways. V. Expenditure: The Town Manager with approval of the Board of Selectmen shall be permitted to award grants and issue loans to businesses and individuals to be used on private property who qualify and are eligible in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Program. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such grant or loan shall be made until the Board of Selectmen have adopted rules and regulations as noted in section II above. VI. Reporting: The Town Manager shall annually provide a report to the Town including but not limited to the amount of donations or appropriations received, amount of grants or loans made and to whom, and the balance of the funds in the Program. or take any other action relative thereto. Article 19: Amend Town of Ashland Zoning bylaw Section 5.8 Site Alteration Special Permit Sponsor: Planning Board To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Ashland Zoning Bylaws Chapter 282, as follows (underline and bold is proposed language and cross through is proposed omitted language): Site Alteration Special Permit Section 5.8 as follows: 8

9 5.8.5 Special Permit. Special Permits will be filed and reviewed in accordance to the time periods and provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40A Section 11 Section. The SPGA shall be the Planning Board for the purposes of this section. Review. The maximum period of review and decision for Site Alteration Special Permit shall be sixty (60) days, unless the review period is extended by written mutual agreement of the Planning Board and applicant. The Planning Board shall hold a fact finding and public information meeting within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the application and a completed submission. The applicant or his/her agent shall attend the public information meeting in order to assist the Planning Board in responding to public questions and concerns. Failure to attend shall be deemed lack of compliance with the requirements of this section. or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 20: Amend Town of Ashland Bylaw by Removing the Office Commerce Zoning District from the Zoning by-laws and the Zoning Map Sponsor: Planning Board To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Ashland Zoning Bylaws Chapter 282, as follows (underline and bold is proposed language and cross through is proposed omitted language) and to amend the Town of Ashland, Massachusetts Zoning Map to change the existing Office Commerce Zoning District to Residence A Zoning District as shown bubbled in red on the Proposed Zoning Map. Item A: In Subsection 2.1, the Office Commerce zoning district shall be removed from the Districts Table. Item B: In Subsection 3.1, the Office Commerce zoning district shall be removed from the Table of Principal Use Regulations. Item C: In Subsection 4.1.1, Office Commerce shall be removed from the Table of Dimensional Requirements, as follows (crossed out language indicates removed language and bolded underlined language indicates added language): Table of Dimensional Requirements. No building or structure shall be constructed nor shall any existing building or structure be enlarged or altered except in conformance with the Table of Dimensional Requirements as to lot coverage, lot area, land area per dwelling unit, lot width, front, side and rear setbacks, and maximum height of structures except as may otherwise be provided elsewhere herein. Minimum Lot Area (sq.ft.) Minimum Lot Frontage (ft.) Minimum Front Yard (ft.) Minimum Side Yard (ft.) Minimum Rear Yard (ft.) Maximum Height (stories)-(feet) 9

10 RA N/A-35 RB N/A-35 RM N/A-35 CH for dwellings 5 for otherwise CD 20,000 for dwellings 10,000 otherwise 125 for dwellings 0 for otherwise 30 for dwellings 0 for otherwise 10 for dwellings 0 for otherwise 20 for dwellings 0 for otherwise N/A-38 (See Note 11) CV for dwellings 4 for otherwise CN N/A-30 feet CO for dwellings 30 for otherwise 30 for dwellings 10 for otherwise for dwellings and 3-35 otherwise I for dwelling 5 for otherwise Item D: In Subsection 4.1.2, notes 8, 9, and 10 are to be removed, as follows (crossed out language indicates removed language and bolded underlined language indicates added language): 8. In the CO District, lot coverage by buildings shall not exceed 30% and minimum building separation shall be 20 feet. Reserved. 9. In the CO District, the front, side and rear setback for office use shall be increased to 60' when all or any part of the front, side or rear yard includes the 100 foot buffer area provided for herein being a separate landscape buffer area along the northern edge of the zoning district, running easterly from a point on Chestnut Street, adjacent to land now or formerly of Frank Summers, a distance of feet, and then running northerly along said land of Frank Summers a distance of 110 feet, and then running easterly along the northern boundary of the zoning district perpendicular to Mount View Drive, a distance of feet, (the "Northernmost Zone Line"). Reserved. 10. In the CO District, the Front, Side and Rear Setbacks for Parking and Signs shall be increased to 100 feet when all or any part of the front, side, or rear yard includes the 100 foot buffer area provided for herein being a separate landscape buffer area along the northern edge of the zoning district, running 10

11 easterly from a point on Chestnut Street, adjacent to land now or formerly of Frank Summers, a distance of feet, and then running northerly along said land of Frank Summers a distance of 110 feet, and then running easterly along the northern boundary of the zoning district perpendicular to Mount View Drive, a distance of feet, (the "Northernmost Zone Line"). Reserved. Item E: In Subsection 5.1.6, the whole shall be replaced, as follows (crossed out language indicates removed language and bolded underlined language indicates added language): Special Provisions for the Office Commerce (CO) District. The following parking regulations shall control in the Office Commerce district notwithstanding the existence of any conflicting requirements contained herein. 1. Adequate off-street parking must be provided on paved surfaces to service all parking demand created by new construction, whether through new structures or additions to old ones, and by change of use of existing structures. Such parking shall be either on the same premises as the activity it services or within three hundred (300) feet on a separate parcel, which may be jointly used with other premises for this purpose. 2. Schedule of Parking Area Requirements. Use Dwellings Offices, research facilities Others Minimum Number of Spaces Required 2 spaces per dwelling unit 3 spaces per 1,000 square feet of leasable floor space Individually determined by the Building Inspector upon advisory report of the Planning Board where required in compliance with For parking areas of eight (8) cars or more, the following shall apply: a. Parking area use shall not require backing on a public way. b. There shall be not more than one (1) entrance and one (1) exit from such lots per two hundred (200) feet of street frontage or fraction thereof. If necessary to meet this requirement, uses shall arrange for shared egress. 4. Parking areas shall be illuminated to provide appropriate visibility and security during hours of darkness. Reserved. Item F: In Subsection 5.3.9, Commercial Office CO shall be removed from the Table as follows (crossed out language indicates removed language and bolded underlined language indicates added language): Maximum Total Area of Signs in Commercial and Industrial Zones. Subject to the provisions of this section, the maximum total area of signs in Commercial and Industrial Zones shall be determined as follows: 11

12 Zoning Districts Maximum Total Sign Area per Foot of Lot Frontage on the Street Towards Which the Building is Oriented (square feet per foot) Commercial Highway "CH" 2.0 Commercial Downtown "CD" 2.0 Commercial Neighborhood "CN" 1.0 Commercial Village "CV" 1.0 Commercial Office CO 1.0 Industrial "I" 2.0 Item G: In Subsection 5.5, the whole shall be replaced, as follows (crossed out language indicates removed language and bolded underlined language indicates added language): 5.5 LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING IN THE OFFICE COMMERCE DISTRICT Reserved General. Landscaped buffer areas are required in all side and rear setbacks the Office Commerce district with no more than minor removal of existing trees and ground vegetation as specified in Section 5.5 except as follows. In the event of a conflict between this section and Section 5.7, the terms and conditions of this section shall control Screening and Perimeter Landscaping. All commercial uses shall be separated from the street and from adjacent residential districts by landscaped buffer areas. 1. All parking areas shall be screened at the front lot line with landscaped buffers, which shall be at least ten (10) feet in depth and shall create a strong impression of separation between the street and the developed area of the site without necessarily eliminating visual contact between them. Buffer area shall be continuous except for vehicular and pedestrian circulation facilities Buffering between Office Commerce and Adjoining Districts. 1. Landscaped buffers shall be provided at the perimeter of the Office Commerce district to screen parking and other vehicular service areas. 2. Except as provided below in Sub-section , such landscape screening shall consist of a landscaped area at least ten (10) feet wide along Chestnut Street and at least ten (10) feet wide along all other boundaries of the zoning district and shall create an effective visual barrier from ground level to a height of at least five (5) feet. 12

13 3. A separate landscape buffer area shall exist along the northern edge of the zoning district, running easterly from a point on Chestnut Street, adjacent to land now or formerly of Frank Summers, a distance of feet, and then running northerly along said land of Frank Summers a distance of 110 feet, and then running easterly along the northern boundary of the zoning district perpendicular to Mount View Drive, a distance of feet, (the "Northernmost Zone Line"). This separate landscape buffer area shall be at least 50 feet wide, from such Northernmost Zone Line and shall create an effective visual barrier from ground level to a height of at least five (5) feet. 4. The landscape buffer areas may only be used for conservation uses, aesthetic uses, non-commercial uses, not for profit uses, and municipal purposes. The landscape buffer areas may not be used for any of the following purposes: Construction of buildings or structures on or above the ground Storing or dumping of materials Removal of trees, shrubs or other existing vegetation Removal of loam, rock, or other earthen materials Activities which will interfere with the area remaining predominantly in a natural condition Activities detrimental to drainage, flood control, water conservation, erosion control or soil conservation Buffer Areas. Buffer areas and screening required by this section may be comprised of brick or stone-faced walls, planted berms, wood fences, planted vegetation and/or existing vegetation or any combination thereof. Walls or fences exceeding four and one-half (4 1/2) feet in height shall have plantings on the side facing the lot line and other than such walls or fences, shall not include pavement or impervious surfaces Interior Landscaping in Parking Areas. Parking areas containing eight (8) or more spaces shall contain or be bordered by at least one (1) tree per eight (8) spaces. Such trees shall be in any case not further than five (5) feet from the parking cell. The following shall also apply to parking areas containing twenty-five (25) or more spaces: 1. At least 3% of the interior of any parking lot containing twenty-five (25) or more spaces shall be maintained with landscaping including trees, in planting areas of at least eight (8) feet in width to provide visual and climatic relief unless a lesser percentage is allowed by the Planning Board as per the Site Plan Review process. 2. Interior landscaping shall be designed to define logical areas for pedestrian and vehicular circulation. 3. Landscaped islands and buffers shall have a minimum width of eight (8) feet and shall contain at least one (1) tree per one hundred (100) square feet. Item H: In Subsection 5.7.4, the whole shall be replaced, as follows (crossed out language indicates removed language and bolded underlined language indicates added language): 13

14 Item I: Performance Standards. The performance standards set forth in this subsection are designed to encourage a high standard of development by providing assurance that uses within the Office Commerce district shall be compatible with neighboring land uses in the vicinity. 1. Noise levels shall be in conformance with the noise bylaw. (Chapter 204 of the Ashland Code.) 2. Vibration shall not be discernible to any human's sense of feeling for three (3) minutes in any one (1) hour for a total of 15 minutes in any one day, or producing an acceleration of more than one-tenth (0.1) G. 3. Heat, glare or electrical disturbance shall not be discernible from the outside of any structure. 4. Smoke shall not be visible beyond a shade darker than No. 1 on the Ringelmann Smoke Chart. 5. Air pollution shall not be detectable for any emission of solid or liquid particles in concentrations exceeding three-tenths (0.3) grains per cubic foot of the conveying gas or air at any point. 6. Emissions shall not endanger human health, or cause damage to animals, vegetation or property, or cause spillage at any point beyond the boundaries of the lot. 7. Odor shall not be detectable by the human senses without the aid of instruments beyond the structure boundaries of the lot. Reserved. In Subsection 5.7.5, the whole shall be replaced, as follows (crossed out language indicates removed language and bolded underlined language indicates added language): Special Provisions for the Office Commerce (Commercial O) District. 1. No lighting fixture shall be located and directed as to be a hazard to traffic safety. 2. All incandescent light sources shall be constructed to direct light directly downward such to minimize the impact on any adjacent residential zones and abutting properties. 3. All noise generating machinery, including but not limited to fans, generators, and air conditioning units, shall be oriented away from residential areas and/or appropriately screened. 4. More than one (1) principal office building may be constructed on a single lot provided that the Planning Board during the Site Plan Review process determines that each building is served by access and services that are functionally equivalent to those required for separate lots in Chapter 344, Subdivision of Land. Item J: To modify the Town of Ashland, Massachusetts Zoning Map amended to May 6, 2015 to reflect the removal of the Office Commerce Zoning District. The parcels will be rezoned as Residence A Zoning District. The proposed zoning district change includes all or a portion of the following properties off Chestnut Street identified in Assessors Map 24, Parcels 12 and 123. or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 21: Amend Town of Ashland Zoning Byalw Section Dimensional Requirements for Multiple Principle Uses 14

15 Sponsor: Planning Board To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Ashland Zoning Bylaws Chapter 282, as follows (underline and bold is proposed language and cross through is proposed omitted language): Dimensional Requirements for Multiple Principle Uses Section as follows: Dimensional Requirements for Multiple Principal Uses. Multiple Principal Uses on the same lot irrespective of whether such uses are in the same building or multiple buildings, each must meet the dimensional requirements of Residential, Commercial, Industrial and other zoning districts as applicable, without counting any area, frontage or yard twice. Not more than one (1) principal building shall be erected on a lot unless each such building is serviced by access and services determined by the Inspector of Buildings to be functionally equivalent to those required for separate lots by the Planning Board in Chapter 344, Subdivision of Land. or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 22: Amend Zoning Map and Town Code to Expand Groundwater Protection Overlay District Section 8.2 Sponsor: Department of Public Works and Planning Board To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Ashland Zoning Bylaws Chapter 282 (Zoning), as follows (underline and bold is proposed language and cross through is proposed omitted language) and to modify the Town of Ashland, Massachusetts Zoning Map as shown bubbled in red on the Proposed Zoning Map. A. To modify the Town of Ashland, Massachusetts Zoning Map amended to May 6, 2015 to extend the Groundwater Protection Overlay District by adding all or a portion of the following parcels from the Assessors Map: ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; LONG HILL RD; ELIOT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; RAYMOND WAY; PROSPECT ST; MEADOWBROOK LN; PROSPECT ST; RAYMOND WAY; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; RAYMOND WAY; ELIOT ST; WEBSTER RD; PROSPECT ST; MEADOWBROOK LN; MEADOWBROOK LN; WEBSTER RD; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; LONG HILL RD; ELIOT ST; LONG HILL RD; LONG HILL RD; CEDAR ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; WEBSTER RD; ELIOT CIR; ELIOT ST; LONG HILL RD; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; MEADOWBROOK LN; PROSPECT ST; RAYMOND WAY; RAYMOND WAY; RAYMOND WAY; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST;

16 MEADOWBROOK LN; PROSPECT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; RAYMOND WAY; ELIOT CIR; ELIOT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; MEADOWBROOK LN; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; ELIOT ST; RAYMOND WAY; PROSPECT ST; RAYMOND WAY; RAYMOND WAY; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT CIR; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; LONG HILL RD; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; PROSPECT ST; ELIOT ST; WEBSTER RD; PROSPECT ST; RAYMOND WAY; PROSPECT ST; MEADOWBROOK LN; MEADOWBROOK LN; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; ELIOT ST; FRUIT ST; LONG HILL RD; LONG HILL RD; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; RAYMOND WAY; CHESTNUT ST; MEADOWBROOK LN; RAYMOND WAY; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; PROSPECT ST; ELIOT ST; PROSPECT ST B. And to amend the reference to the current zoning map in Groundwater Overlay Protection District Section Establishment and Delineation as follows: Establishment and Delineation. For the purposes of this district, there are hereby established within the Town certain groundwater protection areas, consisting of aquifers or recharge areas which are delineated on the current Zoning Map and identified as Ground Water Protection Overlay District on a map. This map is at a scale of one (1) inch to one thousand (1,000) feet and is entitled "Groundwater Protection District," Town of Ashland, dated September 22, This map is hereby made a part of the Ashland Code and is on file in the office of the Town Clerk. or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 23: Amend Section 2.3 Zoning Map Reference Sponsor: Planning Board To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Ashland General Bylaws Chapter 282, Section 2.3 as follows (underline and bold is proposed language and cross through is proposed omitted language) to amend the zoning map reference to the current map on file with the Office of Town Clerk. 2.3 ZONING MAP. The boundaries of these districts are defined and founded on the map entitled, "Town of Ashland, Massachusetts Zoning Map Index FY 2009," scale: 1" = approx. 1000', effective date 9/7/72, as revised and amended and revised date June 2008, a copy of which is on file in the office of the Town Clerk, and that the map and all explanatory matter thereon is hereby made a part of this chapter. 16

17 Article 24: Amend Section Required Site Plans and Design Plan Review Contents Sponsor: Planning Board To see if the Town will vote to amend the Town of Ashland General Bylaws Chapter 282, Section as follows (underline and bold is proposed language and cross through is proposed omitted language) to add a project narrative as an application requirement Required Site Plans and Design Plan Review Contents. All site plans shall be prepared by a registered architect, landscape architect or professional engineer, unless this requirement is waived by the Planning Board because of unusually simple circumstances. The construction standards set forth in the Planning Board's Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land, or the standards otherwise adopted by the Planning Board as part of its rules and regulations, shall govern all construction, unless waived by the Planning Board. The Planning Board may waive any information requirements it judges to be unnecessary to the review of a particular plan. All site plans shall be on standard twenty-four-by-twenty-six-inch sheets and shall be prepared at a minimum scale of one (1) equals forty (40) feet or as approved by the Planning Board or its agent and shall show: 1. The location and boundaries of the lot and adjacent streets or ways and the location and owners' names of all adjacent properties. 2. Existing and proposed topography, including contours, the location of the wetlands (as defined by the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act), streams, water bodies, drainage swales, areas subject to flooding and unique natural land features. 3. Existing and proposed structures, including dimensions and elevations. 4. The location of parking and loading areas, driveways, walkways, access and egress points, curb cuts, handicapped spaces and fire lanes. Such information shall be provided on a separate sheet which also depicts and assures accessibility and travel flow compatibility, using recognized standards (DOT), for all types of vehicles intended to utilize the proposed site. 5. The location and description of all proposed septic systems, water supply, storm drainage systems, utilities and refuse and other waste disposal methods, including compactors, dumpsters and the equivalent. 6. Proposed landscape features, including the location and description of screening, fencing and plantings. 7. The location, dimensions, height and characteristics of proposed signs. 8. The location and description of all outdoor and streetlighting, including methods of screening adjacent properties and public ways from glare. 9. The location and description of proposed open space or recreation areas, if provided. 10. In the case of commercial or industrial projects, information on the types of business that may be operating on the property, so as to plan accordingly for the needs of specific types of businesses. In the case of projects where it is unclear what specific use will be involved, the applicant shall be required to provide information on the general characteristics to which uses on the site shall conform. 11. A construction timetable indicating estimated startup and completion dates. 12. An architectural rendering and/or cross-section of the development shall be submitted. 13. A separate Project Narrative that includes a description of the proposed uses and a written summary of the site plan. Article 25 Charter: Omnibus Changes 17

18 Sponsor: Board of Selectmen To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature to change the Ashland Home Rule Charter by adopting the typographical error corrections and grammatical corrections throughout the Town of Ashland Charter as set forth in the Draft Charter dated April 7, 2018 and finally recommended by the Board of Selectmen / Charter Review Committee dated and which is on file with the Town Clerk, or pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. Article 26 Charter: Part III Elected Town Officers Sponsor: Board of Selectmen To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature to change the Ashland Home Rule Charter - Part III Elected Town Officers, to read as follows: PART III. Elected Town Officers. Section 3-1. Elected Town Officers, in General. (c) The offices to be filled by the voters shall be a board of selectmen, a school committee, a town moderator, a board of assessors, a planning board, a board of trustees of the public library and a housing authority. Regional authorities, districts, committees or such other entities as may be established by law or intergovernmental agreement may also be filled by the voters. The elected bodies referred to in subsection of section 3-1 may, by law, the charter, bylaw or vote of the town appoint any temporary or ad hoc multiple member bodies as in their judgment shall from time to time be necessary or desirable specifically for assisting said elected boards in the exercise and fulfillment of their powers and duties referred to in the charter. Any registered voter shall be eligible to hold any elective town office except that: i. no employee of the town reporting to the board of selectmen, either directly or through the town manager, may simultaneously hold the position of selectman; and ii. no employee of the school district may simultaneously hold the position of school committee member Section 3-2. Board of Selectmen. There shall be a board of selectmen composed of five (5) members elected for terms of three (3) years each, so arranged that the terms of as nearly an equal number of members as is possible shall expire each year. The executive powers of the town shall be vested in the board of selectmen which shall serve as the chief policymaking body of the town. The board of selectmen shall have and exercise all the powers and duties vested in boards of selectmen by the laws of the commonwealth and such additional powers and duties authorized by the charter, by bylaw or by vote of the town. The board of selectmen shall cause the laws and orders for the government of the town to be enforced and shall cause a record of all its official acts to be kept. To administer its policies and aid the board in its official duties, the board of selectmen shall appoint a town manager, as provided in part V. (c) The board of selectmen shall appoint a town manager, town counsel, an external auditor to perform the town s annual financial audit, registrars of voters and a board of health as well as all other such town officers and multiple member bodies except as otherwise provided by the charter. The board of selectmen shall also appoint such officers, and multiple member bodies that the board of selectmen may hereafter be directed to appoint by law, bylaw or vote of the town. 18