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Date: 6/15/2021
HUNTINGTON – In a record 30 minutes or so, the residents of Huntington voted to pass all 13 articles with little discussion and only one or two dissensions at the Annual Town Meeting on June 7, which was hosted in the Performing Arts Center at Gateway Regional.
Moderator George W. Peterson III convened the meeting at 7 p.m., with Selectboard members Karon Hathaway, Edward Renauld, chair, and Roger Booth prepared to answer questions as needed.
The total FY22 budget is $5,711,556, an increase of 1.71 percent over FY21.
Before voting to approve the budget as a whole, Peterson asked residents to vote on three articles pertaining to the Gateway Regional School District; the town’s assessment, vocational tuition and share of vocational transportation. All three items were the same amounts as in fiscal year 2021, however, a transfer from free cash for the assessment, and from stabilization for vocational tuition were used, in order not to exceed Proposition 2 1/2.
All three Gateway budget items were recommended by the Finance Committee, which is currently the same members as the Selectboard.
Residents voted to approve the alternative assessment method of $2,925,044 for the Gateway Regional School District by raising and appropriating $2,789,449 and transferring the sum of $135,555 from free cash.
Residents approved $626,967 for vocational tuition by raising and appropriating the sum of $597,967 and transferring $29,000 from the Stabilization Fund. They also voted for the third Gateway article to raise and appropriate $81,423 for Huntington’s share of the cost of vocational transportation. All three Gateway articles passed with one opposed.
Peterson then asked for a vote on the budget as a whole, which passed with one opposed.
Residents also voted to approve a transfer from free cash of $12,000 to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Liability Trust Fund.
The town voted to transfer from the Capital Equipment Stabilization Fund account the sum of $73,703 to purchase and equip a new truck with dump body and snowplow to replace the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado for the Highway Department, with one opposed.
After the meeting, Renauld said the town had spent $18,000 on repairs last winter, when the Highway Department was down one truck during some storms.
In a brief Special Meeting at 6:30 p.m. immediately prior to the Annual Town Meeting, voters also approved transfers from free cash of $10,000 for fire truck maintenance; $10,000 for sewer building and equipment maintenance, and $4,900 for Veterans Relief Benefits.
Following passage of all the articles, the balance remaining in free cash is $27,377, in the stabilization fund, $715,768, and in the capital equipment stabilization fund, $126,484.
The Annual Report 2020 for the Town of Huntington was dedicated to Vicki Mayhew, who has served as the chair of the Community Events Committee and Recreation Committee for many years.
During COVID, when many in-person events were cancelled, Mayhew and her committees were very creative in putting together events which could be done at home or in the car; and which brought the town together by keeping them engaged.
The Huntington Scarecrow Tour, Gingerbread House Kits to go, Huntington Puzzle Time, where jigsaw puzzles were given to residents who were encouraged to share their completion on the Facebook page; and Huntington Holiday Lights & Door Decorating, which also provided a virtual map of houses to drive by, were among those COVID-era events.
An Easter Scavenger hunt that could be done in the car and provided clues and prizes to pick up on the final day at Pettis Field, were also enjoyed by many residents.
The Community Events Committee also pared down but hosted the free summer music festival in 2020 with two concerts on the green, and two hosted virtually due to increasing restrictions. This year the summer music festival is taking place live outdoors on the green, beginning on July 15, when Misty Blues will perform from 6:30 to 8 p.m.