NEW SALEM — Town Coordinator Emily Hill believes this week’s rejection of a Proposition 2½ override will only generate further discussion about New Salem’s budget at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting.
Hill said the first, and perhaps only, point of contention on Monday, May 11, will likely pertain to the leaner $3.7 million budget. Residents voted 178-159 on May 4 to not allow the town to assess an additional $185,500 in real estate and personal property taxes for various expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1. State law requires voter approval before a municipality can increase its property tax levy by more than 2.5%.
“I’m sure there are some hurt feelings,” Hill said. “I’d be shocked if there wasn’t deliberation on the Town Meeting floor about [the] budget.”
She said the $185,500 sought by the proposed override can still be generated by an amendment on the Town Meeting floor, though it would now have to come from free cash or the Stabilization Fund, meaning it would not affect the tax rate.
Hill explained that, as a result of the override’s failure, several town departments are expected to face funding shortfalls.
“The Selectboard will need to consider whether to use free cash to support items such as a full-time library director. It is also likely that a fall Special Town Meeting will be needed to address remaining gaps, like insurance costs,” she wrote in an email. “The Highway Department, in particular, is expected to be significantly impacted, with fewer resources available for road materials and maintenance. Funding for Swift River [School] will also need to be revisited, either through free cash or additional reductions, depending on Town Meeting decisions.”
Hill mentioned New Salem is facing many of the same financial pressures as other small western Massachusetts communities.
“For the most part, this warrant is not a very controversial one,” she said.
However, she mentioned Article 31 could generate some discussion. It asks voters if they agree to appropriate $260,000 to buy a bucket loader for the Highway Department and to authorize the treasurer to borrow that money.
In other Highway Department requests, voters will also be asked to allocate $62,922 to use for future snow removal and winter road maintenance; appropriate $105,415 so the Highway Department can cover the salt/snow deficit; transfer $100,000 from the Stabilization Fund for the repair of a chipper; and transfer $17,000 from the Stabilization Fund for the purchase of a power-angle plow.
Other articles include:
- A proposal to transfer $8,500 from free cash for the construction of a shower room for the Fire Department.
- Using $17,240 from free cash to buy eight automated external defibrillators (AED) for the Fire Department.
- Allocating $8,400 from free cash for the purchase and repair of playground equipment.
- Using $13,000 in free cash to repair solar equipment in the town solar field.
- A proposed bylaw revision stipulating that Annual Town Meeting “shall be held on the first Monday in June of each year, unless otherwise set by the Selectboard, at such time and place as the Selectboard shall determine and as set forth in the warrant.”
- A resolution in support of “An Act Relative to the Quabbin Watershed and Regional Equity” (S.546/H.1042), legislation that seeks better compensation for communities for their roles in protecting the Quabbin.
Annual Town Meeting is slated to begin at Swift River School at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 11. Resident can visit tinyurl.com/NewSalemChildCare to sign up for child care during the meeting. Advance registration is required.
A link to the full 36-article warrant can be found at tinyurl.com/NewSalemWarrant.
