Monday Night Politics: It’s time for fall Town Meeting

Yes, the New England Patriots are on Monday Night Football.

Yes, the first day back at work after the weekend is exhausting.

You’re going to Town Meeting.

It’s at 7:30 p.m. Monday, in the auditorium at Grafton High School. The seats are comfortable (remember the horror of the wooden chairs at now-Grafton Middle School?), it’s your duty as a registered voter and, if all goes well, 30 warrant articles will fly by in no time.

The warrant is attached, but here are some of the highlights:

• Article 1: Adjust FY20 Operating Budget — The Finance Committee offers some adjustments to the transfers suggested by Town Administrator Tim McInerney, removing the $17,750 set aside for the Board of Health expenses Article 25. 
• Article 25: Mosquito Control — The Board of Health is recommending that the town join the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project after the mosquito-borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis infected more than a dozen Massachusetts residents, including a Grafton man. The Finance Committee opposes the measure, believing the projected revenue shortfall of more than $800,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 places this as not a high priority.
• Article 5: Cisco Homestead — The home at Grafton’s tiny Native American reservation has slowly been undergoing restoration. The Community Preservation Committee is seeking $45,000 from the Historical Reserve Account to create interior plans, drawings and architectural specifications for the interior restoration at 80 Brigham Hill Road.
• Article 12: DPW Facility — The discovery of ledge on the site drove the costs of the new facility in excess of contingency funds. It would add up to $1 million to the cost of the project, which would be offset by lower costs for the upcoming library project, which came in well under bid.