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Date: 12/5/2023
WARE — Residents voted to increase the maximum age for Ware police officers and firefighters when taking the required exam from 32 to 45 years old during the Nov. 27 Special Town Meeting.
This decision was the result of an amendment suggested by Moderator Kathleen Coulombe after residents expressed confusion over whether the original article’s explanation, which referred to “public safety applicants,” concerned only police officers or firefighters as well.
Because Ware is a “civil service community,” the town is required by the state to have an age maximum of 32 for police officers, Coulombe said. Police Chief Shawn Crevier further explained the article, stating that the department has struggled to find applicants that are below the age maximum of 32. As a result, in the past, the town has requested several waivers for individual applicants and lost potential candidates.
“We can’t find people to work,” Crevier said. “This [article] will open the pool [of potential candidates].” The amended article to include firefighters and police officers passed by majority.
While a few residents raised the concern that the demands of police work were too much for candidates over age 32, the Town Meeting did not support their suggested amendment to only increase the age maximum for firefighters. Resident Filene Bedrick, who proposed this amendment, later admitted to being unaware that the police were struggling to hire.
Another significant discussion at the meeting surrounded Article 10, which allotted funds for improvements to Grenville Park. Town Manager Stuart Beckley explained that the article was specifically worded to meet state requirements for a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant and that any amendments could risk these funds.
During discussion, residents brought forward concerns that the specified improvements listed in the warrant, which included bettered “walkways, parking, playground equipment and a pavilion,” would not address similar issues in nearby parks or ensure that the parks were clean from trash. While the article passed without amendments, Beckley and Selectboard member John Cascio stated that the town would look into the raised concerns.
Prior to the Town Meeting, the Finance Committee recommended to dismiss three articles that were originally in the warrant but removed due to changes in how they were funded, Chair Ken Willette said. This included Article 9, which requested funds for financial software, as well as Article 11’s funds for a pay plan and personnel classification.
Willette explained during the meeting that Article 9 needed to be passed at an annual Town Meeting, rather than Nov. 27’s special meeting, and would be proposed again in the spring. The software, ClearGov, would help make the town’s budget more transparent for residents, he said.
Similarly, Willette stated that the Selectboard decided to use American Rescue Plan Act funds for Article 11 and therefore it no longer required a Town Meeting vote. Both article dismissals passed as recommended.
Likewise, all other articles passed as listed on the warrant.