WARWICK — Voters approved next year’s town budget after debates over education funding consumed much of the annual Town Meeting Monday night.
The municipal budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 will see an overall decrease of 0.6 percent. Residents voiced concerns over the 4.7 percent increase in education funding despite a dwindling number of students.
Residents approved a $2,090,960 operating budget. Municipal government represented the largest reduction in the budget, dropping 1.5 percent, from $1,028,751 to $1,027,228. Education expenses increased 4.7 percent, from $937,963 to $981,826.
Residents voiced concerns over the amount in the education line item, which included funding for both the Pioneer Valley Regional School and Franklin County Technical School. The education budget was proposed to increase from $937,963 to $981,826. Of that total, PVRS was receiving a $25,712 increase to $828,457, or 3.2 percent more.
“I have a problem with the $43,863 increase in education,” Jim Erviti, vice chairman of the Selectboard, said. “Our student body continues to decline, yet our costs continue to go up.”
After debate had concluded, the education budget passed overwhelming.
Residents appropriated $8,487 to PVRS over the next three years toward reducing the school district’s lunch program $270,000 deficit. The total being appropriated over the three fiscal years represents 9.43 percent of the total deficit. Bernardston, Leyden and Northfield will pay the remainder, if all the towns approve.
Residents also voted to further reduce taxes for the coming budget year, by allowing the use of $105,138 in certified “free cash” surplus to reduce the tax levy.
A number of stabilization fund items were approved: $18,300 for items such as firefighter equipment, library exterior painting and a match for a grant for public safety communication equipment.
Residents decided not to take action on an amendment that would reduce the Pioneer Valley School Committee size from 12 members to seven, as well as put 12-year term limits on its members and restrict district employees from serving on the committee.
Warwick’s decision means that in order for the amendment to get passed by residents, a special meeting will need to be held. In order for the amendment to pass, it needs three positive votes between Warwick, Northfield, Bernardston and Leyden. Northfield voted down the amendment during its town meeting Monday, leaving the chances slim that the amendment will pass.
Voters accepted the new fire station under construction as a donation from the Warwick Firemen’s Association. The association was attempting to complete the building, although consistent funding had become an issue. The building was donated to the town as a way to complete the construction using town funds. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
According to Warwick Fire Chief Ron Gates, the fire station currently houses six pieces of fire apparatus, but a training area for firefighters and the chief’s office are located at the old fire station. The new building will house those as well as a new communications center.
A bylaw was approved to establish and authorize separate permanent revolving funds for several different boards, committees and departments within town government. According to Town Coordinator David Young, the bylaw is part of the municipal modernization act in Massachusetts. The bylaw also placed limits on the total amounts allowed within each revolving fund, ranging from $2,000 to $15,000.
Voters said they do not want to see “incomplete vehicles” on properties, voting in favor of a zoning bylaw that would reduce the number of junk cars allowed on a person’s property. A first offense is a ticketed warning, while second would be a $25 fine per vehicle beyond one allowed, and third and subsequent offenses would result in $100 fines for each vehicle beyond the one allowed. One month is allowed for removal of the vehicles before additional citations can be issued.