J. Patrick Ayotte, center left standing, requests clarification of an article during last night’s Special Town Meeting in Southwick where 65 voters attended the 30-minute meeting at the Powder Mill Middle School auditorium. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – With just 65 voters participating, Town Meeting approved all eight articles on the warrant last night.
There was little discussion on the articles which were nearly all unanimous votes.
The largest financial appropriation approved was $160,000 for a new water tank.
Engineer Richard Grannells said bids for the tank came in roughly $100,000 more than expected and the appropriated funds would cover additional costs and the contingency.
Karl J. Stinehart, far right, chief administrative officer for the Town of Southwick, answers a question during last night’s Special Town Meeting in Southwick. Joining Stinehart on stage are, left-right, Michelle L. Hill, town clerk; Benjamin M. Coyle, attorney for Bacon & Wilson Attorneys at Law; Southwick Selectman Russell Fox and Southwick Selectwoman Tracy Cesan. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Voters also approved $150,000 for a parallel sewer main. This was an additional, unforeseen cost that is part of the parallel sewer interceptor project underway now.
“There’s an underground storage tank on private property – which is part of the easement – that nobody knew about,” said Grannells. “It was leaking and had to be removed and cleaned up.”
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said once the project is completed the cost would be added to the betterment of Phase II users.
Voters also approved using $100,000 of Community Preservation money to help fund a new track at the high school.
School Superintendent Jay Barry said a donor offered the school $400,000 toward a new track and the schools are contributing another $98,000 toward the estimated $600,000 track.
Resident Patricia McMahon asked what happens to the $100,000 if the donation falls through.
“Town Counsel informed me if it doesn’t happen, we can vote to rescind the article,” Stinehrt said.
Barry noted that an architect should have plans, with costs, ready by January.
An appropriation of $7,800 to salary accounts was also approved, with $1,850 of the funds going to the library director and assistant, and the rest for fire department employees.
“This is for the settlement with our new firefighter/MT unit,” Stinehart said. “It’s four-percent plus another 1.5 percent for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.”
Stinehart added that the four percent was retroactive to October of 2012.
Two articles were approved to petition General Counsel for passage of a special act allowing two retired police officers stay on until age 70 as reserve officers.
Finally, voters approved a $1 permanent easement for a portion of 622 College Highway.
