PELHAM — Municipal spending will be the main focus of Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, as residents could determine whether the top policy board adopts a gender-neutral name, and might again discuss how best to deal with an ongoing issue of loose dogs on trails and conservation land.
Town Meeting convenes at Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Pelham Elementary School gymnasium for action on a 20-article warrant. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks or other face coverings due to an increase in COVID-19 cases across the region and state.
The $5.02 million budget recommended for adoption by officials is $168,082, or 3.5% higher, than the $4.85 million appropriated this year, but falls short of the $5.05 million in requests.
In its report to residents, the Finance Committee writes that Pelham has more needs than can be accommodated in the spending plan.
“This has been the most difficult year that we have ever experienced since the requests for money reached an all-time record,” the committee wrote. “Unfortunately, Pelham taxpayers need to anticipate noticeable tax increases over the next two to three years as the town cost of running the town is dependent on an increasing tax rate,” the committee wrote.
Still, the budget adds a fourth position to the Department of Public Works that will be a temporary increase, needed as two of the three current employees are expected to retire in the coming years. That will add $18,053 to this department budget, bringing it to $423,171, and will ensure a smooth transition when those individuals leave.
The elementary school budget is $1.92 million, up $42,810, or 2.3%, from this year’s $1.87 million budget. That will provide education for 120 students, with 61 from town and the other 59 from school choice. Projections show that in the fall of 2023 the school will have fewer Pelham children in the building than those from out of town.
The Amherst Regional Schools assessment is $966,706, up $37,181, or 4%, from this year’s $929,525 budget. The increase is more than customary due to a change in the assessment formula that factors in each of the four towns’ ability to pay.
Both Amherst and Leverett have already adopted their assessments, with Shutesbury set to vote May 21.
The Finance Committee also notes the concern about capital needs for both the elementary school and regional school buildings, and that a plan for how to cover these costs will be presented in May 2023.
Part of that spending will be addressed in $285,615 from free cash to cover capital needs, where $50,000 will be set aside to a capital account related to the regional schools.
Other significant items include the purchase of a hybrid police cruiser at $62,000, with inflation driving up this cost by $8,000 since December, $7,500 to repair the sprinkler system at the Community Center, $6,000 for turnout gear for firefighters, and salaries for various employees, including $12,500 for a part-time conservation agent, $7,500 for clerical and consulting help for the Planning Board, and $5,000 for clerical help for police.
Residents will be asked to officially change the name of the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board, and adjust all documents to reflect this.
Meanwhile, a citizens petition seeks to amend the town code so that fines for violations related to dog control, and the concept of a dog “running at large,” would not be levied if as dog is “in sight and under immediate response to voice command and does not trespass on residential property.”
The same topic was on warrants last year and public meetings have also been held to gather input about how best to make sure people are not being accosted by loose dogs on trails and in conservation areas. The town bylaw already addresses other incidents involving dogs, such as if they’re exhibiting vicious behavior, kill livestock or bark excessively.
