Conservation Commission's Bid Gets Approval From Town Voters

Foxborough residents adopted, with a vote of 155-38, to ask the Legislature to "amend the Foxborough Town Manager Act" by taking the conservation commission out from direct control of the town manager.

The change would exempt properties, which have been acquired for the purpose of conversation, from the authority of the town manager. The amendment would return to the conversation commission the authority described in the Conversation Commission Act of 1957 for making decisions regarding land use and conservation for these properties.

Selectmen supported the amendment 4 to 1, with selectman Lorraine Brue casting the lone "no vote" during a November board meeting. The advisory committee voted 6 to 5 to support the article.

Residents in favor of the article argued that placing the management of conversation land in the hands of the conservation commission is the correct thing to do because of their expertise and "perspective to produce the best results for the future of the town."

Others argued against making the change, noting that a governing body would have more accountability to the citizens of the town than the conversation commission.

Officials stated that residents would see little effect in removing the authority to manage conversation commission lands from the town manager.

In other town meeting news, article 3, "Town Hall Plans," was as expected voted down by 355 residents. Article 3 asked voters to approve the appropriation of approximately $550,000 for hiring architects and engineers to prepare plans for the construction of a new town hall.

The advisory committee and the board of selectmen did not support the article, after never receiving a financing plan for the new building.

"Hoped to have a financing plan in place...(unable to put forth a financing plan), therefore the board does not support it," said board chairman Larry Harrington; voters agreed.