BERNARDSTON — Tense debate erupted over the school budget at Pioneer Valley Regional School during the annual town meeting.
After over 40 minutes of debate Wednesday night between Finance Committee members, School Committee members and townspeople, the proposed 1.55 percent increase in the school budget was increased to 2.92 percent after being voted on twice.
The initial vote was close, 47-41. The amended article was then read by Geoffrey Wilson, who was voted in to moderate the meeting after the position of town moderator was left vacant following the death of William D. “Bill” Pratt in March.
After the article was read with the modified total, another vote was taken and due to the closeness of the initial vote, a paper ballot vote was requested. The paper vote resulted in a vote of 52-47.
“I’m really encouraged by the support of the townspeople and the understanding of the needs of the school and I really appreciate it,” said Ruth Miller, superintendent of Pioneer Valley Regional School District.
“We’ll need the money. We would have lost a few teachers or paraprofessionals otherwise,” Miller said. “This should be able to keep us as a good service for our students.”
In addition to the school budget increasing, the town also voted in favor of two construction projects: replacing the Turners Falls Road Bridge and paving the Bernardston Elementary School driveways and parking lot.
The bridge, which currently has a weight limit of nine tons, cannot be passed by fire trucks, ambulances or school buses. The new bridge is estimated to cost $350,000, and construction will begin in Summer 2017.
The Bernardston Elementary School driveways and parking lots, which have several potholes and cracked curbs, are estimated to cost $100,000 to replace.
Voters also approved:
$11,549.88 to replace landfill wells after they were found to be out of code by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
$8,700 for firefighters to buy new pagers.
$38,000 for a new police cruiser.
$10,000 to repair a fire engine.
a “false burglar alarm” bylaw that will punish false alarm activation with warnings, followed by cash penalty.
changing the zoning bylaws to allow large-scale solar panels.