This article is part of a series looking at key warrant articles leading up to the Town Meeting on May 6. Check out the Current’s 2024 Town Meeting Guide HERE.
The Finance Committee was split in a 5-4 vote on whether to recommend keeping State Street public restrooms open throughout the year, reflecting the challenges of balancing community amenities with financial and logistical concerns. The vote serves as a recommendation to Town Meeting voters when they convene in the auditorium of Veterans Middle School on May 6.
The committee’s deliberations on Monday come after they initially weighed in on the articles during a warrant hearing last month, ultimately deciding to table Articles 51 and 42, to await further information.
Article 51, brought forward by resident Philip Blaisdell, proposed maintaining the restrooms year-round, which would require installing a new heater at an estimated cost of $7,500 and addressing potential winter-related repairs. Proponents, like Blaisdell, argued that the town should honor the original intent of a 1996 Town Meeting vote, in part, that the State Street restrooms remain open for year-round use. The bathrooms are open only during the summertime.
FinCom Chair Alec Goolsby and Vice Chair Molly Teets as well as members Terra Samuels, Michael O’Neil and Lindsay Dube gave Article 51 favorable recommendation, emphasizing the importance of accessible public amenities. However, their colleagues Pat Franklin, Michael Janko, Eric Knight and Timothy Shotmeyer voted against it, citing concerns about maintenance costs and the lack of a clear plan for overseeing the restrooms.
“I’m quite sympathetic to the idea. I would love to have the restroom open year-round,” said Knight. “I’m also very cognizant of our Director of Public Works Amy McHugh’s reasoned explanation of the risks and liability.”
McHugh raised concerns about the potential risks and liabilities associated with keeping the restrooms open year-round, particularly regarding the possibility of pipes freezing and the need for increased staffing and overtime costs.
“We’re talking about wintertime. And that’s when weather affects buildings the most,” McHugh explained. “A window or door propped open … that wind blowing against that pipe is where we always see a meter freeze or pipe break.”
Article 42 for veterans
In a separate proposal, Article 42, resident Charles Nordstrom advocated for eliminating annual sticker fees at local beaches and the Transfer Station for honorably discharged veterans. The article sparked conversations about the financial implications and the need to extend benefits equitably among various resident groups.
“It’s not about the money to the veterans. It’s the idea that they’ve already paid (with their service),” Nordstrom emphasized. “Why should they pay additional fees on top of it?”
The committee recognized the importance of supporting veterans but raised concerns about the potential loss of revenue and the precedent it could set for other groups seeking similar benefits.
The discussions surrounding Article 42 led to suggestions largely from Teets for a comprehensive review of the town’s discount policies to ensure fairness and equity among different resident groups, such as seniors and disabled individuals, but they ultimately to suggest Town Meeting indefinitely postpone the citizen petition.
“As the Finance Committee, we have to think, what’s the next step in this process,” Knight pointed out. “It’s a slippery slope.”
