CANTON – Voters will be asked at the annual town meeting to authorize a change in the cluster-housing ordinance to allow minimum lot size in the village center of 10,000 square feet and as long as 30,000 square feet of open space were set aside
This would apply only to the center to allow for more houses to be built out of the flood zone.
Voters will also be asked to authorize municipal officers to borrow up to $3 million through a loan with the Housing Assistance Council. This vote would give the selectmen authority to make the loan, but it’s contingent on receiving state money or grant money as the center develops.
The proceeds would be used to provide interim financing for predevelopment, development, infrastructure and housing costs associated with the village center development. Special Project Coordinator Diane Ray says they have several possible ways to pay off such a loan.
Article 39 also authorizes the municipal officers to granting as security for the loan a mortgage on any or all of four properties under option by the town.
The land involves a 30 acre parcel off Routes 108, 140 and Edmonds Road.
One budget item asks voters to approve $10,000 to renovate the former Veterans of Foreign Wars building, which was recently purchased by the town to house the new town office.
Article 13 seeks to raise $12,000 to cover the costs of gutters, overlay paving and mandatory curbing required by the Department of Transportation at the new fire station.
There are 39 articles on the warrant. The 2006 budget appropriations show $439,743, an increase of $16,236 over the 2005 appropriations of $423,236. School costs and county taxes are not included.
The town meeting will begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, March 11, in the Municipal Building preceded by a public hearing at 8:30.
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