HUNTINGTON – Over 100 out of 1,407 registered voters assembled Monday evening in Stanton Hall for the annual Town Meeting. Moderator Peter Jacques called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. He said all of the warrants were properly posted on May 15. Chair Jeffrey McKittrick thanked Helen Speckels, the administrative assistant to the Select Board since 2002 for her work in preparing the annual report, and for her many years of service. McKittrick then presented her with flowers. This year’s annual report is dedicated to Speckels.
Selectman Ed Renauld then gave an overview of the articles to be considered at the meeting. He said the legal expenses in the budget have increased due to Worthington’s withdrawal, and the attorney the town hired. He said they might split legal fees into two line items, to specifically track the Gateway legal expenses.
Renauld said that the Free Cash this year is $24,513, down from $289,353 last year, with “luckily” no capital expenditures. He also said that four times the number of taxpayers are currently in arrears, a total of 96.
He noted that regarding the Gateway Regional School District (GRSD) budget, because a Prop. 2 ½ override failed at the polls, the Select Board agreed to amend the over-minimum amount to what the town can afford under Prop 2 ½.
“By not approving the full amount, we’ve pretty much voted down the school budget,” Renauld said.
After passing the first seven consent articles with little discussion, the town considered the GRSD portion of the budget for its minimum contribution, share of transportation, and over-minimum contribution. The Select Board and Finance Committee recommended passage of the first two items.
Regarding Huntington’s share of transportation of $558,815, Al LaFrance asked a question about the amount. In a special town meeting just prior to the annual meeting, a warrant to transfer a surplus of $47,500 from last year’s GRSD transportation account to highway sand and salt ($14,497), street lights ($2,500) and veterans’ relief ($30,503) had passed with no discussion. LaFrance asked what created the surplus.
“When we approved the transportation last year, we approved the full amount,” said Finance Committee chairwoman Darlene McVeigh said. “Subsequent to our vote, the School Committee voted to return the surplus to the towns. Our assessment had been lowered by the School Committee.”
“Apparently, we don’t expect a surplus,” LaFrance said, since the amount in this year’s budget is the same as last year’s plus $25,000.
GRSD business manager Stephanie Fisk said that the surplus for the coming fiscal year is expected to be 73 percent for transportation, but since Gateway has eliminated two bus runs, “We’ll be even.” Following that explanation, the transportation article passed by a majority vote.
As Article 10 for the above-minimum contribution came up, Renauld moved to amend the amount to $404,221 for Huntington’s share, or to accept a sum less than $404,221. The over-minimum contribution for Huntington in the budget voted on by the school committee was $545,488.
McVeigh said that the school district and other organizations have been petitioning the state legislature for mitigating funds in the amount of $630,000.
“We have not heard or received anything in writing to say that it has been approved,” she said. She also said that one of the pieces in the legislation allowing Worthington to withdraw is that the remaining six towns “will be held harmless.” McVeigh said the over-minimum amount was reduced so as not to trigger Proposition 2 ½.
“You had mentioned that these mitigation monies were a one-time deal as opposed to an annual reimbursement that we can look forward to,” Linda Hamlin said.
“Yes, at this time,” McVeigh said.
Tom Gralinski asked if the mitigation funds would get distributed to the towns or to the school. McVeigh said they would go to the school, but the School Committee has already voted to reimburse the towns. In this scenario, Huntington’s over-minimum contribution would be lowered. Following the discussion, the amendment passed by a majority vote.
The discussion on the article itself continued in advance of the secret ballot vote, the only one of the night. Clarification was needed on the vote.
“A yes vote means you are voting to approve this value of $404,221 for GRSD,” Jacques said. “If the school comes back with a lesser amount, then no new Town Meeting is needed. A no vote means that when the School Committee comes back with a budget, there will have to be another Town Meeting.”
The vote was then taken, and the article passed 91-12.
Also passed were two GTAC resolutions: that GRSD file for reimbursement for any and all unfunded mandates imposed by the state, and that the GRSD School Committee be requested to explore all options to protect the financial and educational sustainability of the Gateway Regional School District.
The biggest discussion of the night concerned allowing the town to establish a fine for throwing snow on town property. Several amendments were suggested to the language in the article, which prohibits moving snow onto the town’s streets and/or sidewalks, with a potential fine of up to $150 for second violations. In the end it passed, as did all of the remaining articles including the town budget.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m.
