SOUTHAMPTON – The town’s annual Town Meeting is scheduled for tonight, Tuesday, March 7, at the William E. Norris School, 34 Pomeroy Meadow Road.
There are 35 articles on the warrant, and residents will vote on a $17.5 million town budget and improvements for the Norris School costing $97,800.
The proposed town budget for next fiscal year includes a 2 percent increase to account for the cost of living raises for town employees, but operations will be kept level funded, according to Town Administrator Ed Gibson. The town budget will also fund assessments for Hampshire Regional, Smith Vocational, Westfield Vocational and the Norris Elementary School.
The proposed improvements to Norris School include $9,000 for sink replacements in the science labs and classrooms, $28,500 to replace the carpeting in several classrooms, $48,500 for the replacement and repair of exterior doors in the school, $10,500 for repairs to the roof, gutters, drains and roof drain scuppers, $1,300 for the repair of the building’s exterior masonry.
The improvements would be funded by a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion, which for a single family homeowner (valued at $300,000) would cost an additional $4.81 per year. If approved Tuesday’s town meeting, it would also require approval by residents in a special Town Election.
Article 1 of the warrant is a vote to hear presentations of the Richard C. Allen Education Awards sponsored by the Highway Department and Transfer Station.
Article 2 is a vote for State Sen. Donald Humason, R-Westfield, to present certificates to the town’s retirees that have “served the town with distinction.”
Article 4 is a vote to change senior exemption income levels for beginning next fiscal year by increasing income limits for singles from $18,000 to $20,000 and for married couples from $20,000 to $25,000. Article 5 is a vote to change the minimum age requirement from 70 to 65 for senior citizen property tax exemptions.
Article 6 is a vote to change the title of the Board of Selectman to Select Board.
Article 26 is a vote to fund the replacement of the dispatch radio console at the Police Department for $92,112.
Article 31 is a vote to establish two revolving funds, one for conservation forestry and one for fire department clothing equipment. The conservation forestry fund would generate revenues from harvesting and foresting of trees on conservation land owned by the town; the fire department would generate revenues from fire building permit fees to fund equipment and clothing used to fight brush fires.
Luis Fieldman can be reached at lfieldman@gazettenet.com