ROWE — Out of concern over the COVID-19 pandemic — and the reality that voter turnout may be lower than in past years — town officials have presented residents with a relatively uncontroversial warrant for Annual Town Meeting on Saturday.

“This year … we really don’t want to pursue anything that might be controversial,” said Administrative Assistant Paul McLatchy III. “We’re expecting a lower turnout, so we’re trying to keep to your more basic items, no large projects.”

The meeting to approve the 32-article warrant, which includes a roughly $4 million town budget, is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. outside Rowe Elementary School.

McLatchy said the town is in a good place financially and hasn’t had to make the “drastic cuts” other towns may have to make as a result of the pandemic.

One article he anticipates may generate discussion is Article 16, which involves asking the town to approve a $19,000 line item that would fund an additional shift for the Rowe Fire Department.

Although the Selectboard is recommending the increase, the Finance Committee, which McLatchy is also a member of, is not recommending it.

“It was felt that the cost was high for what we would be getting in return, and that as a small town there will always be gaps in coverage unless we fund a full-time department,” he explained.

The shift coverage would amount to about 18 hours per week, he said.

Another unique, though not necessarily controversial, article that McLatchy noted is Article 27, which seeks approval for the town moderator to appoint a Stipend Study Committee that would review the stipends of elected town committee members.

Overall, a number of the articles on the warrant are routine items that require annual approval, McLatchy said.

Voters are asked to bring a chair to Saturday’s Town Meeting, but a number of chairs will also be provided. Social distancing will be practiced and attendees must wear face masks.

“It’s going to be different,” McLatchy said. “But we’re all pretty hopeful it will be successful.”

The rain date for Annual Town Meeting is Sunday at 1 p.m. Voters can access a full copy of the warrant at bit.ly/3eiDJsm.

Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263. Twitter: @MaryEByrne