COLRAIN — Changes to the Mohawk Trail School district’s regional agreement were approved on town meeting floor Tuesday, bringing Rowe another step toward becoming the district’s ninth member town and Heath’s elementary school closer to closing.
Rowe was asked to leave the district in the early 1980s because its high tax valuation made Mohawk ineligible for thousands of dollars in state Chapter 70 aid. The decision to invite Rowe back in was made last November following changes to the way state aid is given. If Rowe rejoins, the district’s state aid won’t be affected.
“Any change to the regional agreement requires all the towns to vote. So if one town says ‘no’ it’s not going to pass. Tonight, Shelburne passed all of these articles. If Colrain says ‘yes’ it still has to pass six towns,” said district Superintendent Michael Buoniconti.
Also, voters unanimously approved changes that will enable Heath to close its elementary school and tuition its school children to Hawlemont Regional School. In return, Mohawk will terminate its lease agreement for the Heath School, with a settlement to Heath of $240,000 to “mothball” the school building for three years and for other costs related to the school closing.
“It will be the first voluntary closing of an elementary school in Massachusetts,” Buoniconti said, noting that it will save the district millions over the next several years. He added, “This is the responsible thing to do to bring down our costs.”
Tuesday’s annual meeting was held in Colrain Central School, attended by more than 100 registered voters.
Those residents approved a $1,563,772 operating budget, representing an almost 3 percent rise over the budget approved last year. Before the vote, a proposed warrant amendment to level fund the budget based on what was approved last year, line by line, was voted down by a large majority following an hour-long discussion.
“I’ve watched this town do so much using volunteer work and be very careful with their nickels and dimes. To completely slash a budget that has taken a great deal of work to put together seems to me not a smart thing to do. There are things in here that we have no control over,” said resident Nina Martin-Anzuoni, before the amendment was voted down.
Mohawk’s requested budget assessment of $1.9 million was also approved, a 4 percent cost hike. Franklin County Technical School’s approved assessment decreased from $309,414 to $284,624.
A few one-time costs were also approved, including a $50,000 repayment of debt incurred during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011; $25,000 for new fencing at the Transfer Station; $15,000 for new carpet and workstations in the Town Office; $3,000 to remove an oil tank at the library; $9,400 for a police department speed enforcement monitor; $8,000 for a building assessment of the fire station; and $22,600 for a paper compactor purchase and installation at the Transfer Station.
Voters also agreed to acquire property at 3 River St. for $22,500, and to add a $20 penalty fee for each written demand issued by the tax collector on delinquent bills.
In addition, voters OK’d a few resident petitions such as one declaring the town a “compassionate community,” another asking for more renewably energy and a third calling for political transparency and reform.