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Date: 5/25/2022
MONTGOMERY — Town Clerk Cheryl Masciadrelli reported that 85 residents attended the annual Town Meeting on May 16.
All warrant items passed except for the Gateway Regional School District Agreement, which governs the relationship between the school district and all member towns to be in compliance with state law.
Masciadrelli said the selectmen recommended voting no on the agreement, and the town unanimously rejected it. Michael Morrissey, chairman of the Board of Selectmen who served on the School Committee this year, spoke about the agreement prior to the vote, saying that it locked in the town and wouldn’t be beneficial, according to Masciadrelli.
All six member towns have to approve the agreement.
“We are in discussion with the district representative to find consensus on our concerns. The disparity in per-pupil costs, the unfounded OPEB [Other Post-Employment Benefits] liability, the alternative method and the process a member town would use should they seek to leave the district are the main areas we are working through,” said Morrissey.
Also passing after some discussion was a vote of 42-32 to appropriate $34,750 to the Fire Department, $20,000 to the Police Department and $220 to the Emergency Management Department.
Earlier this spring, the towns of Montgomery and Russell received a state grant of $200,000 to establish a shared police department. Currently, Montgomery has an administrative police chief to issue permits, Paula Chapman, and two constables.
Masciadrelli said the shared police department agreement is still being reviewed by attorneys.
Masciadrelli will begin her first elected three-year term as town clerk on July 1, after having been appointed to the position in 2021.