CONWAY — The three articles that did not pass at Saturday’s Special Town Meeting included creating a Capital Stabilization Fund for Frontier Regional School and allocating $92,000 for a Highway Department wood chipper.
Article 1, which called for creating a Capital Stabilization Fund for Frontier, was tabled. Some voters questioned the line stating, “The reserve of this fund will not exceed 5% of the combined equalized valuations of the member towns that can be used for capital projects.”
“There were a bit more questions about this one sentence,” said Selectboard member Christopher Waldo.
Frontier Regional School District’s Superintendent Darius Modestow was unable to attend the Special Town Meeting to answer questions, according to Waldo.
With a Capital Stabilization Fund, Selectboard Chair Philip Kantor previously explained, the school would be able to work more efficiently because it would have a pool of money that is specifically dedicated to capital improvements. Money could only be spent with approval from two-thirds of the Frontier School Committee.
The other towns in the school district will also discuss the article at future Town Meetings. Conway will discuss the article again at its Annual Town Meeting in the spring.
Articles 3 and 4 involved Highway Department requests to purchase a wood chipper and box in which to hold the ejected wood chips. The combined cost of those two items was $99,000.
When the town evaluated the state’s Shade Tree Law, it realized its responsibilities were larger than originally thought, according to Waldo. The Shade Tree Law states that all trees in the public way are defined as public shade trees and thus need to be maintained by the town, even if they are on private property.
Because of this new understanding of the law, the town anticipates more labor and maintenance for Conway trees, thus the need for a wood chipper. Currently, Waldo explained, the cost of a new wood chipper would equate to about 20 months on wood chipper rental fees. With a new wood chipper lasting about 10 years, Waldo said it would be more economical for the town to purchase the equipment instead of renting it.
However, voters disagreed, rejecting the proposal.
“The town said it is too high of a cost for something not needed often,” Waldo said.
Surrounding towns have wood banks, through which trees that need to be chopped down then provide free heating wood for residents. Voters at the meeting thought the town should have a wood bank instead of a wood chipper. Waldo noted that trees that need to be chipped are often diseased, infested or dead, and cannot be used for firewood.
Waldo noted that voters thought Article 4 — a box for wood chips for $7,000 — was too expensive, and the town could purchase a box of similar use for less money.
The other eight articles on the warrant were approved.
Article 11 involves creating special legislation to allow for the recall of town officials.
“There was no provision in place” for a recall, Waldo explained. The proposal was not directed at a certain person, but is intended to promote accountability among elected officials.
Article 2, asking to purchase a used truck for $50,000 for the Fire Department, passed with little discussion.
“There were multiple reasons why we wanted to go with a used vehicle — for one the cost, and also because what is happening with manufacturing and supply chains, a new vehicle would come in a year,” Waldo explained.
He noted the Fire Department would not put more than 5,000 miles per year on this replacement truck, thus making a new vehicle unnecessary.
With the passage of Article 5, the town will pay $37,000 to repair the town’s Transfer Station landfill cap.
“The current blacktop is sinking, creating issues at the Transfer Station,” Waldo said. The money will be used to break up the current blacktop and repave it.
The money set aside for this project was calculated based on bids the town has already received. Waldo said while the price has gone up due to material cost increases, the town is saving money by performing some in-house work.
With the passage of Articles 8 and 9, the town will now have a special revenue fund to pay police officers for performing outside details. When police perform tasks outside of their duties, they are being paid three to four months late, according to Waldo. The town will use this fund to pay the officers in a timely manner. Voters appropriated an initial $10,000 for the fund.
Article 10 switched Conway’s definition of “low income” from a fixed number to a relative number, according to the Consumer Price Index. With the status of low income, people receive real estate tax exemptions. This status can now change according to the economy at a given moment, with inflation and recessions changing the price of goods, thus making more people considered to be low income.
According to Waldo, Articles 6 and 7 passed with little discussion, paying bills from last fiscal year that each totaled less than $1,000.
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.