SOUTHAMPTON – A $135,000 override to fund a second Fire Department ambulance shift will be considered by voters at the annual town election May 2.
And the results of another question will determine whether to change the treasurer/collector’s position from elected to appointed.
There are no contested races for any of the 23 elected positions on the ballot, and there are several seats with no one running.
Polls will be open in Town Hall from noon to 8 p.m.
If voters approve the override vote for the Fire Department staffing at the town election, it would then go to Town Meeting for final approval May 17.
A two-step process is required for overrides of Proposition 2½. Though voters at a special Town Meeting in January approved the override, an election was not held within the state-required 90-day period to affirm it. That means the process had to start over.
If approved, the override would add about 21 cents to the property tax rate. That means the owner of a $260,000 house would see an increase of approximately $55 per year.
The Fire Department is currently staffed by firefighters, who are also emergency medical technicians or paramedics, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. During evening and overnight hours, the department functions on a standby basis, with firefighters responding to calls from their homes.
But when no Southampton firefighters are able to respond to an after-hours call, ambulances from surrounding communities must be dispatched, increasing response time.
The additional $135,000 would allow staffing inside the station from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., when most emergency calls come in.
Voters will also consider whether to change the town treasurer/collector from an elected to appointed position. Officials say the change would ensure that the town’s finances are managed by a qualified professional.
Having an appointed treasurer/collector is generally considered a “best practice” by Massachusetts municipalities and the state Department of Revenue, according to Town Administrator Heather Budrewicz. The majority of communities in the state with a population of 5,000 or more have an appointed treasurer/collector.
This change also requires a two-step vote. The measure was approved by Town Meeting voters last May. It failed to achieve the second step of approval at a special town election last July.
But Budrewicz said officials have since discovered that under state law the question must be raised at an annual election, rather than a special election. That means that if voters approve the change at this election, it would take effect.
There are no contested races.
Select Board Chairwoman Elizabeth Moulton is not seeking re-election for her seat. James R. Labrie, of 66 Gunn Road, is the only person running to replace her for a three-year term.
Hampshire Regional School Committee member William Curran, of 3 Geryk Court, is seeking re-election without a contest.
Virginia Ahart, of 27 Fomer Road, is seeking re-election for a one-year term on the William E. Norris School Committee. There is no one running for the three-year seat currently held by Cheryn Wojick.
Both Ahart and Wojick were appointed to the seats last year to fill vacancies, Budrewicz said.
Planning Board member Keith Locke, of 106 Crooked Ledge Road, is seeking re-election to a five-year term.
Finance Committee member Janet Cain, of 63 Glendale Road, is running for re-election for a one-year term. Sharon Blais-Sulikowski, of 10 Kylene Circle, is the only candidate running for two open three-year seats. Current member Amanda Kemp is not seeking re-election.
Incumbent Town Moderator Robert K. Floyd, of 15 East St., is seeking re-election.
Benjamin J. Hogan, of 73 Gilbert Road, is running for the three-year Board of Health seat currently held by Lisa Marie Lauro, who is not seeking re-election.
Board of Assessors member Joanne M. Spath, of 76 Line St., is seeking re-election to a three-year term.
George A. Symborski, of 10 Golden Circle, is seeking re-election to a three-year term to the Hampshire Council of Governments.
Incumbent Personnel Policy and Procedure Board member James J. Palermo, of 68 Glendale Road, is running for a three-year term.
There are three people running for four Edwards Public Library Trustee seats: incumbents Theresa Barton, of 51 Pomeroy Meadow Road, and Debra Pinsky of 9 Buchanan Circle, and newcomer Jeanne Murray of 15 Edward Ave.
Water Commission member Thomas Neill is not seeking re-election for his three-year seat, which is being sought by Kurt Boisjolie, of 11 Strong Road.
Park Commission Chairman Mark Reed is not seeking reelection to his five-year seat. There is no one running to fill his place.
Incumbent Tree Warden Ronald Laurin, of 317 College Highway, is seeking re-election to a one-year term.
Pamela Gaspar, of 1 Erin Lane, is running for the three-year Cemetery Commission seat currently held by Christopher Bowen, who is not seeking re-election.
Kristine Canton, of 94 East St., is seeking re-election for a four-year term as Almoner.
There is no one running for a two-year term as constable.