Blandford residents meet Thursday for fourth town meeting this year to consider Gateway budget. (Photo by Amy Porter)
BLANDFORD – Blandford residents rejected the Gateway budget for the fourth time this year at a special town meeting Thursday evening.
The town’s Select Board and Finance Committee recommended a no vote on Article 1 to raise an additional $25,213 to meet the revised assessment for the town following the receipt of mitigation funds, contingent on an override of Proposition 2 ½. The article was defeated 68 to 23 votes.
The meeting started tensely when Finance Committee member Tony van Werkhooven asked David Hopson, Gateway superintendent, to step down as the Moderator due to the subject of the article. Hopson said he “respectfully declined,” stating that having studied the bylaws he received no personal gain either way the vote went. Hopson then continued as moderator.
A motion was then made from the floor to amend the article to transfer the $25,213 amount from the stabilization fund.
Select Board and Finance Committee member Andy Montanaro objected to the motion, questioning whether it would change the content and character of the article. Hopson responded that he had stepped out to consult with the town counsel, who said it was OK.
Several speakers said they objected to using the stabilization fund for operating expenses for the school.
“At the last meeting, we talked about some of the infrastructure needs of the town,” said van Werkhooven. “Secondly, the Finance Committee prepared a handout that makes it clear that the School Committee has made no effort to reduce its costs for 2016 other than those directly attributable to Worthington’s withdrawal. You can expect a very significant increase in the Gateway budget for next year.”
“If the article as written goes down, DESE (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) will set a budget Dec. 1 which could be more, less, or the same amount,” said School Committee representative Michele Crane. “Once that happens, we will lose local control of the budget.”
“We really feel at this time that the worst case scenario is not to have DESE come in,” said Finance Committee chair Linda Smith. “They would come in, and we would explain our situation. As for control, thhe towns have no control. We have nothing to lose. They would also review the school, to see where they might make cuts.”
The motion to amend failed.
“I think the School Committee should be commended for not buckling to the tremendous pressure they’ve been under to lower the budget,” said resident Jim Kronholm during the discussion on the article.
“It has never been our intention to take money away from the kids and what impacts them,” Smith said. “There is no harm, no foul in voting down the budget at this time. The school will get their money.”
Hopson then asked if the article were passed, when the override would be scheduled. The town clerk responded that it would be impossible to schedule a 2 ½ override by Dec. 1.
“Therefore, whether you pass or fail it, DESE will take over,” Hopson said.
“If DESE says we’ll get the 1 1/12th budget (currently in place), will Blandford have to come up with the $25,000 we’re talking about tonight?” another resident asked.
“Technically speaking, there are three answers,” Hopson said. “They could listen to the towns and school and ask Gateway to reduce the budget, or keep it at the 1 1/12th budget, or raise the budget.”
He said the third option was unlikely, but “any which way” the towns and the school would be obligated to comply. The motion was then moved and a paper ballot taken.
The no vote by Blandford follows rejections of the budget by Russell (36-21) on Wednesday, and Chester (9-8) on Monday. Huntington, Middlefield and Montgomery passed the budget, but four towns are needed to approve it.
Following the meeting, Hopson said DESE now has only one week to set the budget by Dec. 1 as required in the bylaws. He said every transfer of money, all budgeting issues and negotiated settlements will have to be approved by the state for the remainder of the fiscal year.
