By CHRIS LINDAHL
@cmlindahl
Daily Hampshire Gazette
SOUTHAMPTON — Voters at the second and final night of Town Meeting on Wednesday approved purchase of a new police cruiser, a Highway Department pickup truck and five Community Preservation Act projects.
Around 55 people attended the gathering, which ran just over an hour at the William E. Norris School. The attendance was a sharp decline from more than 200 people who turned out Tuesday night to approve three Proposition 2½ overrides and a debt exclusion while voting down a $10.8 million public safety complex. Voters Tuesday also approved a $16.43 million operating budget for fiscal 2016.
On Wednesday night, residents took about a dozen votes to approve housekeeping matters, such as the establishment of revolving accounts and dealing with transfer station and water department finances.
Voters also unanimously approved the purchase of five big ticket items, to be paid for from the capital stabilization fund:
$61,551 for a new 2015 Ford F-450 with snowplow for the Highway Department, which Highway Superintendent Randall Kemp said will replace a 1997 Ford F-350.
$47,000 to replace parts of a 19-year-old heating and cooling system at the Edwards Public Library.
$44,623 for a new police cruiser with dashboard camera to replace one of the Police Department’s Crown Victorias.
$24,000 for a new telephone system for the William E. Norris School.
$9,000 for three sets of firefighter turnout gear.
Voters also unanimously approved funding of these CPA projects:
$11,000 to install automatic doors at Town Hall and the Senior Center.
$5,000 to purchase 10 flat markers for veterans’ graves.
$1,500 to restore the Judd Memorials in the Center Cemetery.
$1,500 for restoration of the Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans’ monuments.
$1,000 to fund signs for the Sczcypta Conservation area trails.
Residents voted 34-20 against a $10,000 transfer to cover emergency dispatch wages for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends June 30. The Finance Committee recommended against the article.
Chris Lindahl can be reached at [email protected].
