What: a Special Town Meeting article updating the transfer of solar net metering money into the Middle High School stabilization fund (about $1.3 million now), with a proposed $50,000 a year until the fund reaches $2 million.
Where it stands: The Town Administrator asked the Finance Committee on October 26 to hold off voting while the Town seeks clarification from the state Department of Revenue on whether state law allows a set amount rather than a percentage.
Next: Clarification from the state, then a Finance Committee recommendation.
The School Committee voted unanimously to recommend a yes vote on the article (now Article 4, listed as Article 7 on its posted agenda) reducing transfers to $50,000 a year until the fund reaches $2 million. Discussion covered the 2020 fund, a 10 to 15 year horizon for a feasibility study and state building authority cost sharing of 30 to 80 percent.
The Town Administrator asked the committee to hold off voting on the article because state law allows only a percentage of the net metering fee, not a set amount, to go into the fund; he will get clarification. The school does not expect a rebuild until about 2040 but a feasibility study will cost a couple million dollars.
No action. Town Counsel flagged that state law may require a percentage (at least 25 percent) of a specific revenue rather than a flat $50,000 a year; the Town will ask the Department of Revenue and may move the article to the Annual Town Meeting.