The Town of Shrewsbury is seeking persons who want to be identified as principal opponents to prepare arguments opposing the passage of the question for the bond authorization for the Police Station construction project.
If interested, please inform the Board of Selectmen no later than 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday September 8, 2020.
Notice Under Chapter 427 of the Acts of 2006
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF SHREWSBURY TO SEND CERTAIN INFORMATION TO THE VOTERS OF THE TOWN.
On July 28, 2020, The Board of Selectmen voted to place a ballot question on the November 3, 2020 Presidential Ballot to seek voter approval to exclude the debt service requirements for the Police Station Project from the provisions of Proposition 2 1/2, so called, and authorize submission to the Secretary of State for inclusion on the State Ballot.
In accordance with Chapter 427 of the Acts of 2006; “An Act Authorizing the Town of Shrewsbury to Send Certain Information to the Voters of the Town”, the Board of Selectmen is required to make available to voters certain information concerning these ballot questions. The Board will ensure that no less than 10 days prior to the date of the Presidential Election, such information will be posted on the Town’s website, at each polling place, at the post office, and at the Town office building.
Section 1 of the Act requires the Board of Selectmen or Town Counsel to prepare a fair and concise summary of each ballot question, including one sentence statements indicating the effect of “yes” and “no” votes. In addition, the Board must arrange for the preparation of arguments in favor or opposed to each question to be prepared by principal proponents/opponents of the question best able to present those arguments.
While there is no specific mechanism in the Act for identifying principal proponents or opponents, the Act references ballot question committees and petitioners. The Act also specifically authorizes arguments to be prepared by a Town officer or committee. Therefore, as required by the Act, the Town is seeking persons who want to be identified as principal opponents to prepare arguments opposing the passage of the question:
Shall the Town of Shrewsbury be allowed to exempt from the provisions of proposition two and one-half, so-called, the amounts required to pay for the bond(s) issued in order to construct and equip a police station on property located at 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury, MA, including the costs of architectural, engineering, and site work, abatement of hazardous materials and demolition services relative to existing buildings on the site, and payment of all other costs and expenses incidental or related thereto?
YES _____ NO ______
If interested, please inform the Board of Selectmen no later than 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday September 8, 2020.
If no persons identify themselves as interested in preparing arguments in opposition of the passage of the questions, and/or if no arguments are received by the deadline designated by the date to be voted on by the Board of Selectmen on September 8, 2020, the Act requires that Town Counsel prepare the arguments.
Please contact the Board of Selectmen by mail at 100 Maple Avenue or by email at selectmen@shrewsburyma.gov to submit a letter of interest or with any further questions at 508-841-8508. Mail-in interest must be received by the deadline.