MONTAGUE — A budget with a school resource officer, a solar array and a name change for the board of Selectmen were approved at Montague’s annual Town Meeting Saturday.
The 124 Town Meeting members approved a $9,400,018 town budget — a 4.5 percent increase over the current year’s budget of $8,993,941 — for general operations.
The Franklin County Technical School’s budget also increased to $10,992,400 — a 4.85 percent increase from this year’s budget of $10,484,400.
Similarly, $9,811,160 was approved for the Gill-Montague Regional School District — a 4.9 percent increase from this year’s budget of $9,356,560.
According to Gill-Montague Regional School District Superintendent Michael Sullivan, the budget is satisfactory, although state aid to schools has been relatively stagnant.
“The state aid is relatively flat,” Sullivan said, noting the increase in money spent per student is expected to be around $25.
One new item covered by the budget is a school resource officer — someone trained to deal with issues of public safety and overseen by the Montague Police Department. The decision to hire a school resource officer comes at a time of heightened discussion around school safety and violence in the U.S.
The school resource officer — approximately a $55,000 hit to the town budget — will be primarily stationed at Turners Falls High School, but will frequently visit other schools in the district.
According to acting Police Chief Chris Bonnett, the officer will be able to connect with students in a way a normal police officer could not, learning the students’ first names and interacting with them on a daily basis.
While the officer will also help with matters such as calling or visiting frequently truant students’ parents, Sullivan was clear the officer will not have a disciplinary role.
“The officer is a resource for the students,” said Sullivan, adding that the officer can offer information to students, especially when it comes to legal troubles a student or their family may be having.
One article that caused some contention was the Turners Falls Airport’s request for additional money to hire an intern from the Franklin County Technical School.
The budget increase would have been around 2.2 percent — from $49,925 this year to $51,039.
Many of the Town Meeting members pointed out that the airport does not raise enough money to break even and called the airport’s benefits “intangible.”
“It seems like we’re subsidizing a private club,” said Mark Wisnewski of 196 Turnpike Road.
Wisnewski said funding the airport was funding an “expensive hobby,” but said he was willing to support another year of funding.
“We spend a lot of time office-wise with business, getting more business partners,” said Bryan Camden, the airport’s manager.
Camden said he is in his first year as manager, and has been working hard to increase revenue. The airport’s budget was approved, but was amended, with around $2,000 deducted — the money which was intended for a hired intern.
The Water Pollution Control Facility will have a budget of $2,017,231 — a 15.4 percent decrease from last year’s budget of $2,384,214.
The town voted to appropriate $20,000 to purchase, equip, and repair Water Pollution Control vehicles, and $25,000 for new control panels and alarms at the Denton Street and Montague Center Pump Stations.
A solar array will be installed at the Water Pollution Control Facility for $521,000.
Exterior renovations costing $30,000 will happen to the senior center at 62 Fifth St., including replacing the steps and building side rails.
$30,000 was approved for an intercom system at Sheffield Elementary, $25,000 for an intercom system and $12,000 for double door security entrance at Hillcrest Elementary School, as well as $72,000 to upgrade the Building Management Systems at Great Falls Middle School and Turners Falls High School.
The Colle Opera House will get $97,375 for “operations, maintenance, and debt service” of the building, and $150,000 for repairs.
The title of “Board of Selectmen” has been changed to “Select Board.”
A resolution recognizing that “catastrophic climate change” is taking place was passed.
The position of cultural coordinator for the Town of Montague will be established.
$100,000 to purchase, equip and repair Department of Public Works vehicles and equipment was approved.
Voters approved $15,000 to fund information technology equipment.
$7,000 will go toward developing a plan for Montague Center Park improvements.
$30,000 was approved to manage town maps.
Reach David McLellan
at dmclellan@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.