DEERFIELD — Residents voted at the annual Town Meeting to contribute $10,000 toward fees associated with Montague’s participation in a state Department of Public Utilities proceeding that will result in approval or denial of the request by Berkshire Gas Co. to buy gas from the now-halted Northeast Energy Direct pipeline project.
Of the eight Franklin County towns the Tennessee Gas Pipeline project would have passed through, Montague was the only one granted permission to intervene in the state proceeding.
Following perhaps the lengthiest discussion held Thursday night, voters opted to provide financial and, as a result, moral support to Montague’s fight.
The 108 people in attendance on Thursday was fewer than half of the roughly 250 on Monday when the meeting ended at 10 p.m. after dealing with 13 articles. Voters decided to continue the meeting Thursday.
Select Board member Carolyn Shores Ness spoke in favor of the pipeline article, as did residents Heather Reloj, Ava Gips and Lynn Rose.
Even though the pipeline project has been suspended, Gips said adoption of this article would drive a stake through its heart.
Residents also voted to transfer $11,000 from free cash to assess the impact of mosquito-borne illnesses. The vote by the raising of hands was close and several residents cried foul when moderator Peter James declared the article adopted. Some shouted for a hand count, but James moved on to the next article.
James had previously said Thursday was his final Town Meeting as moderator, following more than 30 years in the position. The crowd gave him a standing ovation.