SOUTH HADLEY – The annual Town Meeting unanimously approved a $44.2 million operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
An article to appropriate $90,000 to further the work of the South Hadley Redevelopment Authority passed by a majority vote. Another article, to spend $40,000 on a study to determine the needs of public buildings, specifically the Senior Center, the Olde Firehouse Museum, the Police Station and Town Hall, was approved by a majority voice vote.
Next year’s $44,220,103 annual operating budget is slightly less then 1.6 percent higher than this year’s figure of $43,537,890. School expenses approved for fiscal year 2017 total $20,777,329, an increase of $256,510, or 1.25 percent, over this year’s figure.
Town Meeting members also passed by a majority voice vote an amendment to the town’s bylaws adding other domesticated animals to the requirement that dog owners must clean up after their pets in public spaces. The amended bylaw extends to ”dogs, pigs, monkeys” and other animals “kept for companionship (or) entertainment.”
The penalties for violating the bylaw are $50 for the first offense and $300 for a second offense within a two-year period. Enforcement is given to the Health Department, Police Department and or the Animal Control Officer.
Another bylaw change, which passed by a majority voice vote, requires owners of abandoned or unused property to notify the building department within 60 days.
Town Administrator Michael Sullivan explained that the bylaw applies only to properties where there are no sleeping or cooking facilities. Failure to register a vacant property may cause the town to fine the property owner $300 a day.
According to Sullivan, this bylaw change is recommended throughout the state by the attorney general’s office.
Town Meeting also approved by a majority voice vote an article that will allow members who approve to ask that the town make their email address public.
A special Town Meeting before the annual meeting unanimously approved the appropriation of $28,000 from the town’s technology fund for equipment that will allow the town’s public access television station to do live broadcasts from remote locations.
Select Board Chairman John Hine said that this will make it possible to broadcast from the library or any place that has broadband wireless Internet service. The money will also cover the purchase of large-screen monitors for use in Town Hall.
Another appropriation Town Meeting members passed by a unanimous voice vote approves $90,000 to fund a shortfall in the current fiscal year for the South Hadley Veterans Service Department.
According to Town Clerk Carlene Hamlin, more than 100 of the 120 members of the representative Town Meeting members attended, which, she said, was a record attendance. She attributed it to a move made last year to move the gathering from Saturday afternoons, as was the tradition, to a weekday evening.
“It was a tremendous turnout and Town Meeting members took advantage of all the public forums” leading up to the session, she said. Last year they passed a bylaw allowing the electronic distribution of materials to members. “That proved very effective,” said Hamlin.
At the start of the meeting, which lasted about 2 ½ hours, the Lions Club Citizen of the Year Award was presented to a married couple. Martha and Thomas Terry were recognized for the many boards, committees, and civic organizations they have served on. Thomas Terry is currently chairman of the Finance Committee.
Jessica Jackson was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for her work in organizing and promoting cheerleading in the schools.
Eric Goldscheider can be reached at eric.goldscheider@gmail.com.