No Vote Likely For Rattlesnake Hill Articles at Special Town Meeting

A vote on zoning changes for a Brickstone development at Rattlesnake Hill will most likely have to wait for a future town meeting.

At the pre-town meeting meeting this week, the selectmen with advice from Town Council Richard Gelerman agreed to push for no action on Article Two on the Special Town Meeting warrant.

“In order to avoid the concern there may be a negative vote we suggested that you announce that because there hasn’t been a report, it’s inappropriate for town meeting to take a vote,” Gelerman said.

According to Gelerman, state law dictates that the zoning article cannot be voted on unless the planning board releases a report and recommendation on the zoning changes.

“Even saying we make no recommendation is considered a recommendation. We simply suggest that you say that no motion under the article should be taken because town meeting does not have the authority to act,” Gelerman said. 

Articles three and four are also postponed indefinitely.

Article three would change the town by-laws for signs in the Rattlesnake Hill District and Article Four would ask the town to obtain the remaining land in the Rattlesnake Hill Development via a sum of money recommended by the Community Preservation Committee or by gift.

The Special Town Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Sharon High School.