LEYDEN — If lawmakers have their way, there won’t be any drones flying over private property in Leyden.
On Saturday, residents will vote on a resolution that would give landowners control over airspace during the annual town meeting.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at Town Hall, 16 West Leyden Road.
But drones are just one issue that will be before residents.
The day actually begins 10 minutes before town meeting starts, when a special town meeting will be convened to decide if the town should move $17,426 from winter maintenance, to the Highway Capital Stabilization account.
At the last town meeting, residents voted to authorize the collection of $1.7 million for broadband Internet. An additional $60,000 has been given by the state for the same project. Residents will talk about and vote on an article calling for the installation of better Internet.
The town will also vote on whether to provide an exception to the mandatory police chief retirement age, which is 65. If the article passes, Police Chief Daniel J. Galvis would be able to serve until age 70.
Leyden’s Selectboard and Financial Committee have recommended that the town raise $17,764 for the town’s share of Pioneer Valley Regional School’s capital projects. Another $8,989 would go toward upgrading technology at school.
The Selectboard also wants to pool together $265,000 from the highway capital stabilization account, general stabilization, and Chapter 90 funds to buy a new John Deere road grader. The vote requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The money would not affect the tax rate.
Also on the agenda is a proposed collection of more than $60,000 for the technology stabilization account, and the creation of a new Fire Department stabilization account, to save toward a new fire truck.
As for the drones, because of their increased use, guidelines pertaining to airspace over private property are up for a vote. The Federal Aviation Authority and Congress want to lower public-use airspace from 500 feet down to ground level. There will be discussion and voting about whether Leyden will allow drones to fly in private airspace.
Other articles include the Council on Aging, the Historical Commision and capital projects at Pearl Rhodes Elementary School.
Residents will also have a chance to vote in the town election — from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., also at Town Hall, to choose a moderator, a Selectboard member, an assessor, a constable, a library trustee and a board of health member, all for three years. Two Planning Board members, one for five years and the other for two years, as well as a tree warden for one year, will also be elected.
During the annual meeting, residents will choose nonballot positions during voting, including three fence viewers, three field drivers, three pound keepers and three wood and timber surveyors, who will all serve for one year.
You can reach Andy Castillo at:
acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo