Montgomery’s Town Meeting on Monday was held in Union Hall, built in 1849. (Photo by Amy Porter)
MONTGOMERY – At the Annual Town Meeting on Monday which was rescheduled from May 15 due to the lack of a quorum, Montgomery became the third town to vote in favor of the Gateway Regional School budget.
Four towns are required to pass the school budget for FY18. To date, Blandford, Middlefield and Montgomery have voted for the budget, and Russell voted it down. Huntington and Chester are the two remaining towns to vote. Huntington’s Annual Town Meeting is on June 5, and Chester will hold its meeting on Saturday, June 10 beginning at 1 p.m.
During the discussion in Montgomery, Gateway Regional superintendent Dr. David B. Hopson responded to a question from a resident as to whether the above minimum contribution to the town of $193,099 was an alterable figure.
Gateway Regional superintendent Dr. David B. Hopson (upper right) addresses residents at Annual Town Meeting. (Photo by Amy Porter)
This year’s above minimum contribution for Montgomery increased by $40,910 over FY 17, but the increase was offset by a reduction in the minimum contribution set by the state to the town of $51,693, as well as a decrease in the non-foundation contribution, for a total decrease to the town of $17,106 for Gateway.
Hopson responded to the question by saying that the above-minimum contribution is alterable, but if altered, the town would effectively be rejecting the budget. He said at Russell’s meeting they amended the above-minimum contribution to a lower figure, and by doing that voted down the Gateway budget. Russell was facing a total increase to Gateway of $196,570, due to an increase in their percentage share of students from 26% to 30%. Montgomery’s percentage share of students at Gateway is 7.7%.
Montgomery’s elected officials field questions from residents during the Annual Town Meeting Monday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Following the discussion, Montgomery voted for the above minimum contribution with no dissension, also passing the minimum and non-foundation contribution.
When voting on the amount of $120,000 for Vocational Education Expenses, a question was asked as to how many vocational students are in the town, which there are currently two at Smith Vocational and four at Westfield Technical Academy. That article also passed with no dissension.
In other business, the town voted to transfer $86,000 from Free Cash to purchase a new Highway Department Pick-up Truck; to transfer $32,000 from Free Cash for Recycling Expenses; and to transfer $50,000 from Free Cash into the Stabilization Fund, leaving several thousand in Free Cash for the end of the Fiscal Year.
Town representatives explained that Free Cash cannot be touched until it is re-certified by the state, but the Stabilization Fund is money in the bank.
