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Date: 10/30/2023
MONSON — This year’s second Town Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 6 in Granite Valley School.
The warrant, which was released without the Finance Committee’s recommendations on Oct. 23, listed 26 articles to be discussed at the meeting.
Of the articles, the largest allocation of funds to be discussed is the appropriation of $1 million for the replacement of Palmer Water Pollution Control Facility’s roof. Described in Article 16, these funds are a necessary component to the completion of the project and will be utilized in addition to Palmer and Belchertown’s contributions. Because the money has already been contractually agreed upon, Monson is obligated to pay the funds regardless of the Town Meeting vote. Similarly, the town is also contractually obligated to appropriate funds for Ambulance Billing services as stated in Article 13, due to the fiscal year 2024 budget.
Another significant discussion will be Article 19, which requests $50,000 to construct a full-size basketball court at Granite Valley School. The project ongoing since spring 2023, students at Granite Valley School have already raised $22,000 for the new court. If approved, the $50,000 will complete the fundraising for this project.
Likewise, there are two articles that involve projects for Flynt Park. Article 18 requests $28,173 to create a pavilion at the park, while Article 20 would appropriate $18,400 for a trail plan if approved. The warrant states that the trail plan request comes from the RePlanting Monson Tree Committee and will allow a crew to reduce erosion on the trail system.
The warrant also contains four articles that describe amendments to language in the general and zoning bylaws, as well as five articles that discuss electricity-related expenses. This includes projects such as allotting funds for street lighting costs in Article 12.
At the meeting, residents will also vote on two citizen’s petitions and the allotment of $3,300 for the town clerk to restore specific Select Board minutes. This is part of an ongoing project to restore town records, according to Article 17 of the warrant.
The remaining 10 articles in the warrant involve costs associated with maintaining the town’s current projects, such as hiring temporary staff and paying bills.
The Finance Committee was expected to finalize their recommendations during its Oct. 30 meeting at 7 p.m., after press time. The updated warrant was expected to be released shortly afterward, the Finance Committee said.