ASHFIELD — ‘The I’s had it’ at Saturday’s annual town meeting on a 77-30 vote to allow Rowe a chance to rejoin the Mohawk Trail Regional School District.
The decision followed an hour and a half of discussion inside the town’s historic town hall. Subsequently, a motion to table the decision was split down the middle, failing a two-thirds vote.
“They are a contribution. And I hope very much that this group will accept that group of students,” said Mary Snow, a longtime educator, speaking to more than a hundred fellow-residents seated in diffused sunlight. After, Snow said she spoke up “to remind them to stop thinking about the organization, and about the children.”
Those opposed, including Selectboard Chairman Todd Olanyk, argued that inviting Rowe into the district could convolute the decision making process more than it already is. Currently, the district must have unanimous member-town support in order to pass motions.
Since leaving the district in 1982, Rowe has tuitioned its students into Mohawk schools, Olanyk said, noting, “we welcome them and we welcome their tuition dollars.”
However, “adding them back into the district,” he continued, “that’s that 101st frog in the wheelbarrow. We already have difficulty making decisions in our district. We don’t need another voice at the table.”
Voters approved $100,000 for broadband capital development, “part of a broader plan in town to fund broadband expansion,” said David Kulp, manager of the town’s Municipal Light Plant.
With that, he announced a $1.41 million state grant to bring broadband into town — part of an initiative by the state Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development which has awarded “over $4 million to six towns.” Those towns include Franklin County towns Shutesbury and Leden.
“It’s the next step. There are always other hurdles. Mainly, we need to make sure we can still build it under the budget we had planned,” Kulp said. To that end, the town will work with Westfield Gas and Electric to “design and oversee our fiberoptic network. If we can start today, we should be live in two years,” he noted.
16-year-olds might be able to vote in local elections and meetings soon following a motion passed on town meeting floor to petition state courts to lower the local voting age.
“We’re trying to boost civic participation over the long term, forming voting habits early is critically important to encourage participation later in life,” said 19-year-old voter Aaron Nelson, who put the item on the warrant through citizen petition.
“I’m all in favor of promoting democracy among our younger generations. Research has (shown) a ‘trickle up affect,’” Nelson continued. Citing the study, he said youth who are engaged civically talk to parents and friends “who also participate in higher rates.”
“I’ve talked to the principal of the high school and two school board members, and they all support this measure,” Nelson said.
Prior to the vote, residents voted down an amendment that would have required all town voters 16 years of age or older to have paid taxes in town for at least three years. A few residents pointed out the amendment was unconstitutional, depriving some citizens of the right to vote.
“Mr. Nelson, congratulations, thank you for your citizenship,” said Moderator Stewart Eisenberg following a round of applause after the vote. “Mr. Nelson, you give us hope.”
Municipal and other budgets, all approved, are as follows: $412,384 for general government; $207,894 for public safety; $600,000 for public works; $53,393 for health and human services; $77,972 for culture and recreation; $169,594 for debt; $54,410 for intergovernmental assessments; $176,578 for employee benefits and health care; $89,957 for ambulance; $70,925 for capital expenditures.
In addition, voters approved $2,826,926 for Ashfield’s cut of Mohawk Trail Regional School District’s operating budget.
Elsewhere on the warrant, voters authorized the Selectboard to spend $43,500 to purchase a new highway truck. Another $100,000 was approved to close the landfill. A request for 15,000 to set up a Senior Center capital fund account and a second $25,000 request for town hall repairs and maintenance account, were both approved.
An article outlining bylaw changes making it easier for age-55 and older housing developments to move into town was approved by a two-thirds vote.
Another petition article calling upon the state and federal government to implement a fee on carbon-based fuels and distributing the proceeds to all households also passed.
You can reach Andy Castillo
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On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo