The Warrant Committee moved to resolve a jurisdictional disconnect between town boards Friday, voting to clarify that the proposed Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC) will report directly to the Planning Board. The move follows concerns from Planning Board members who felt they had not been adequately consulted regarding the structure of the new committee, which is tasked with overseeing the town’s long-term development strategy.

Chair Jay Finnling explained that the adjustment aims to preempt confusion and save time during the upcoming Town Meeting. The planning board wasn't happy that they felt they hadn't been consulted, Finnling said, noting that the committee could either resolve the language now or let 250 of our best friends debate the terminology on the floor Monday night. Brian Maguire admitted he had assumed the Planning Board was already integrated into the proposal via the involvement of individual members. I should have assumed because it's my fault, B. Maguire stated, adding, I would be okay with the language you proposed because they report to the planning board.

While the committee agreed on the intent, the specific phrasing sparked debate over redundancy. James Lee Dassi pointed out that existing sections of the article already suggested the group would make recommendations to both the Planning Board and the Select Board. For me, it would make more sense to get rid of item three and remove the confusion, J. Dassi remarked. Julia Maxwell initially questioned the procedural timing of the vote but supported the effort to create a parallel structure in the document. I understand the value of knowing this might be coming and being able to think on it, but can we vote on a possible amendment before there's an amendment in front of us? J. Maxwell asked. Ultimately, the committee decided to move forward with the clarifying language. Motion Made by B. Maguire to accept the amendment to Item 3 to include "to the planning board and select board." Motion Passed (7-0-2) with J. Finnling and E. Craighead abstaining. Grace Doherty and Andrew Co also participated in the deliberation before the final vote.

The committee also reviewed several proposed amendments to Article 7 regarding one-day liquor licenses and "beer gardens" submitted by a Town Meeting member. The proposals included mandatory wristbands for those of legal age and a ban on liquor licenses at town sites featuring playgrounds. Nicholas Tangenny voiced strong opposition to the playground restriction, noting it would inadvertently ban events at popular locations like Kelly Field. I've always maintained that we should retain flexibility, N. Tangenny said. The select board would be kind of dumb to issue a one-day drinking license for a noon event where kids might be there.

Lee Michael McLean recommended that the Warrant Committee take no formal action on these liquor amendments, arguing that the sponsors should be the ones to explain their goals to the full Town Meeting. Because they're not here to speak to us to clarify if what we're doing is actually going to make them happy or not, let's let them speak for themselves at town meeting, L. McLean suggested. The committee agreed to move on without a vote, leaving the license amendments to be addressed during the general assembly on Monday.