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Date: 5/18/2022
CUMMINGTON – Spring is the busy season for elections and town business, but this year residents stayed home. Fewer than 10 percent attended Annual Town Meeting (ATM) to decide the town’s course in the next fiscal year.
“It was very disappointing, to be honest with you,” said Town Clerk Brenda Emerson-Camp. “There was only 33 resident voters there, and six non-resident, so there wasn’t a big turnout; and I don’t know if it was because [of] … an uptick in COVID[-19].”
According to Emerson-Camp, the meeting location was changed at the last minute to the pavilion at Pettingill Park, on Main Street. Some people may not have heard about the change. The town clerk also suspects the warrant, less than action packed, didn’t sound exciting.
“There really wasn’t anything too surprising. I do recall there was something because of the new regulations and laws in the Fire Department and Police Department,” Emerson-Camp said. She referred to the Bridge Academy for part-time officers. “Police officers need more training and that takes more budget.”
The first 10 articles asked voters to fund the various departments, revolving funds and positions in town government. The 11th article asked voters to authorize the creation of an enterprise fund for the Water Department.
Articles 12 funded the replacement of the fuel tank at the highway barn. Article 13 funded the capital account for the Fire Department, to be used for turn-out gear, a portable radio and training expenses.
Article 14 corrected a motion adopted at Special Town Meeting that transferred five acres to the purview of the Conservation Commission, land taken for back taxes. Articles 15, 16 and 17 authorized members of town government to exercise the powers of their offices, collect monies and be paid wages.
Every article passed without a dissenting vote.
Town elections, which took place on May 2, resulted in changes to personnel in Town Hall. Karen L. Howes was nominated at the town caucus and was elected to the Board of Assessors to replace Mark Bevans, who left his seat early. Howes was elected for a two year term, while incumbent Joy M. Johns was re-elected to a three year term.
Selectboard member Eliza Dragon left her position this year for personal reasons. June Lynds received the nomination for that seat at the town caucus and was elected unanimously. Kenneth Howes was re-elected as an incumbent.
“They were the only two … who had to leave early,” Emerson-Camp said. “The other ones were candidates for re-election, all of them…except for myself.”
Emerson-Camp was appointed as town clerk after the death of Donna Jordan. Emerson-Camp finished Jordan’s term, was nominated at the town’s caucus, and was elected on May 2.
Robert C. Godfrey III was re-elected to the vocational school committee. Joshua Wachtel will be town moderator again next year. Stephanie L. Bean and Jill A. Figlozzi were re-elected to the Finance Committee. James O. Wettereau was re-elected to the Board of Health and Planning Board. Kenneth Howes was also re-elected to the Selectboard. Also re-elected were various commissioners, trustees, constables, and a member of the municipal light plan board that runs the town’s broadband network.
Emerson-Camp suggested this year’s ATM, the third to take place during the COVID-19 pandemic, may have seen better attendance if conducted in some other venue. The pavilion may have been a little too much for seniors.
“It wasn’t bad weather, but it did get a little chilly once it got a little darker,” Emerson-Camp said. “But I can honestly say that older people will not want to come out at 7 o’clock at night, to hang out.”