TURNERS FALLS — The Town of Montague has released 36 articles that will be voted on at the Annual Town Meeting, including next year’s budgets, building renovation funding and an energy policy resolution.
Town Meeting members will meet at the Turners Falls High School theater on Saturday, May 5, at 9 a.m. to vote on each of the articles.
Town Meeting members will vote on the following budgets:
$10,992,400 for Franklin County Technical School — a 4.85 percent increase from last year’s budget of $10,484,400 .
$9,811,160 for the Gill-Montague Regional School District — a 4.9 percent increase from last year’s budget of $9,356,560.
$51,039 for the Turners Falls airport — a 2.2 percent increase from last year’s budget of $49,925.
$2,017,231 for the Water Pollution Control Facility — a 15.4 percent decrease from last year’s budget of $2,384,214.
The overall town budget proposal being voted on is $9,400,018, which is a 4.5 percent increase compared to last year’s overall budget of $8,993,941. This amount covers “general town operations” such as general government, public safety, employee benefits, and public works.
One article involves the town voting whether to appropriate $20,000 to purchase, equip, and make “major repairs” to Water Pollution Control vehicles. An additional article calls for the appropriation of $25,000 to purchase and install new control panels and alarms at the Denton Street and Montague Center Pump Stations.
The town will also vote on whether to purchase and install a solar array at the Water Pollution Control Facility. If approved, this will cost the town $521,000.
Exterior renovations totaling $30,000 have also been proposed for the senior center at 62 Fifth Street. These renovations would include replacing the steps and landing, constructing side rails and constructing a roof over the new landing.
In addition to the overall budgets, the town will also vote on other purchases for local schools, including $30,000 for an intercom system at Sheffield Elementary, $25,000 for an intercom system at Hillcrest Elementary, $12,000 to buy and install a double door security entrance “with window or camera system” at Hillcrest, and $72,000 to upgrade the Building Management Systems at Great Falls Middle School and Turners Falls High School.
In previous Selectboard meetings this year, the possibility of completing needed repairs of the Colle Opera House building has been discussed. First, the town will vote on providing $97,375 for funding “operations, maintenance, and debt service” of the building.
In a separate article, the town will also vote to provide $150,000 for “repairs and maintenance of the Colle building.”
Another article allows the town to vote to authorize entering into a permanent Preservation Restriction and maintenance agreement for the Colle building. This authorization would be contingent on a grant from the Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund.
Town meeting members will also vote to amend Montague’s bylaws to change the title of “Board of Selectmen” to “Select Board.” This would call for the deletion of every instance of “Board of Selectmen” and “Selectmen,” and replace it with “Select Board.”
The article regarding an energy policy resolution recognizes that “catastrophic climate change” is taking place and that burning fossil fuels is one of the largest contributing factors. Therefore, Montague would like to urge Legislature to pass laws that puts a “gradually increasing fee” on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
Montague believes that these fees will not only increase market incentives for nonelectric energy sectors to lower their greenhouse gas emissions, but also make individuals and corporations accountable for their actions when they use fossil fuels. In addition, by voting on this article, Montague hopes to “level the economic playing field between fossil fuels and conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy sources.”
Adding the position of cultural coordinator for the Town of Montague.
Entering a lease with Gill-Montague Regional School District “not to exceed 15 years.”
Providing $100,000 to purchase, equip, and repair Department of Public Works vehicles and equipment.
Providing $15,000 to fund information technology equipment, parts, accessories, software and installations.
Providing $7,000 to develop a master plan for Montague Center Park improvements.
Providing $30,000 to help store town maps.
Multiple articles related to increasing the Town Capital, General, and OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) Stabilization funds.