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Annual Town Meeting Warrant for 5/4/2024

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TOWN OF WORTHINGTON

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

May 4, 2024 – 9:30 AM

RH Conwell School Gymnasium

Downlad a PDF of the Warrant Here

Hampshire ss:

To either of the Constables of the Town of Worthington in the County of Hampshire.

GREETINGS: In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town, qualified to vote in election and in Town affairs to meet at the RH Conwell Elementary School in said Worthington on Saturday the Fourth of May 2024, at 9:30 AM, then and there to act on the following articles:

ARTICLE ONE:  To Choose all other Town officers as are not required by law to be elected by ballot.

           Almoners of the Whiting Street Fund

                      Bruce Barshefsky, Catherine Whitcomb, Diane Meehan

           Field Drivers and Fence Viewers

                      Bart Niswonger, Kevin Porter, Darlene Millman

           Surveyors of Wood and Timber

                      Keith Manley, Sam Powell, Clarence Witter

ARTICLE TWO: To Act upon the reports of the Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Selectboard, Almoners of the Whiting Street Fund and other elected or appointed officers or committees of the Town.

ARTICLE THREE:  To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $1,497,392.49 the total Worthington School District Budget for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, or take any other action in relation thereto:

Worthington School District AppropriationFY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Elementary$1,095,834.65$1,154,491.46RecommendedRecommended
Secondary275,829.00342,901.03RecommendedRecommended
Total$1,371,663.65$1,497,392.49  


ARTICLE FOUR: To see if the Town will vote pursuant to the provisions of Section 53E ½ of Chapter 44 M.G.L. to re-authorize the amount of $1,680.00 as the annual spending limit for the Conwell School Laptop Protection Plan revolving fund, such limit to be applicable for Fiscal Year 2025, or take any other action in relation thereto. 

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE FIVE: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $5,460.00 from the Conwell Stabilization Fund for payment of the RH Conwell Water Tank Inspection, or to take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE SIX: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $3,250.00 from the Conwell Stabilization Fund for payment of the RH Conwell Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Inspection, or to take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE SEVEN: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $318,519.00 for Vocational Education, or take any other action in relation thereto:

Vocational EducationFY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
 $286,323.00$318,519.00RecommendedRecommended

ARTICLE EIGHT: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $54,528.00 to be paid to Gateway Regional School District for Capital payback costs, or take any other action in relation thereto:

Gateway School District PaybackFY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Bonded Projects$55,206.00$54,528.00RecommendedRecommended
MSBA Payback21,288.000.00RecommendedRecommended
Total$76,494.00$54,528.00  

ARTICLE NINE: To see if the Town will vote to fix the salaries or compensation of all elected officers of the Town, as provided by MGL Chapter 41, Section 108 as amended, and to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $75,111.00 for these salaries and compensation to be as of July 1, 2024, as follows, or take any other action in relation thereto:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Selectboard, Chair$3,500.00$3,587.00RecommendedRecommended
Selectboard, Clerk3,000.003,075.00RecommendedRecommended
Selectboard, Member3,000.003,075.00RecommendedRecommended
Bd. of Health, Chair2,132.002,185.00RecommendedRecommended
Bd. of Health, Clerk2,132.002,185.00Recommended      Recommended
Bd. of Health, Mem.2,132.002,185.00RecommendedRecommended
Moderator100.00100.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Clerk18,000.0018,450.00RecommendedRecommended
Assessors, Chair7,228.007,409.00RecommendedRecommended
Assessors, Clerk23,098.0023,675.00RecommendedRecommended
Assessors, Member6,561.006,725.00RecommendedRecommended
Tree Warden2,400.002,460.00RecommendedRecommended
Total$73,283.00$75,111.00  

ARTICLE TEN: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $544,203.00 for the following Town charges, or take any other action in relation thereto:               

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Selectboard Expenses$3,500.00$3,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Assessors’ Expenses1,750.001,750.00RecommendedRecommended
Classified Advertising2,500.002,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Tax Map Maintenance1,800.001,900.00RecommendedRecommended
Assessors’ Software Support6,800.007,208.00RecommendedRecommended
Assessors’ Revaluation4,700.006,200.00RecommendedRecommended
Online Tax Maps3,000.003,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Clerk’s Expenses1,650.001,700.00RecommendedRecommended
Election Expenses2,175.005,680.00RecommendedRecommended
Registrars’ Expense50.0050.00RecommendedRecommended
Tree Warden’s Expenses20,000.0020,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Tax Collector21,690.0022,664.00RecommendedRecommended
Asst Tax Cltr/Asst Treasurer9,880.0010,329.00RecommendedRecommended
Tax Collector’s Expenses4,100.004,200.00RecommendedRecommended
Tax Collector’s Software8,300.009,450.00RecommendedRecommended
Accounting Services31,800.0034,200.00RecommendedRecommended
Accounting Software4,467.004,690.00RecommendedRecommended
Treasurer21,690.0022,664.00RecommendedRecommended
Treasurer’s Expenses4,500.004,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Treasurer’s Software1,593.001,673.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Payroll Service4,000.004,200.00RecommendedRecommended
Executive Assistant66,082.0069,077.00RecommendedRecommended
Assistant Secretary4,528.009,464.00Recommended 
Recording Secretary8,000.008,000.00Recommended 
Bd. of Appeals Expense600.00600.00RecommendedRecommended
Conservation Comm. Exp.900.00900.00RecommendedRecommended
Historic Commission Exp250.00250.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Off. Maint. & Sup.3,750.003,750.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Hall Maintenance4,500.004,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Hall Custodian3,420.003,420.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Telephone Exp.22,000.0021,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Building Heating24,000.0024,000.00RecommendedRecommended
War Memorial & Town Bldgs300.00300.00RecommendedRecommended
Conwell Bldg. Expenses144,677.00147,149.00RecommendedRecommended
IT/Comptr. Replenishmt plan4,000.004,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Comptr. Maint. & Supplies2,000.002,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Computer Maint. Labor3,200.003,200.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Web Site1,000.001,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Webmaster2,000.002,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Planning Board Expenses500.00500.00RecommendedRecommended
P.V.P.C.218.00224.00RecommendedRecommended
Parks & Rec Comm. Exp.3,800.004,145.00RecommendedRecommended
Founder’s Day4,000.004,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Finance Comm. Expense140.00150.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Reports1,250.001,250.00RecommendedRecommended
Law Account Expense15,000.0015,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Tax Taking-Collector1,200.001,200.00RecommendedRecommended
Tax Title Foreclosure Treas.2,185.002,185.00RecommendedRecommended
Tax Title Foreclosure Maint.2,000.002,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Audit Expenses12,500.0012,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Council on Aging12,000.0014,600.00RecommendedRecommended
COA Building Lease9,785.009,981.00RecommendedRecommended
Total$519,730.00$544,203.00  

ARTICLE ELEVEN: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from the Conwell Stabilization Fund for the rehabilitation of the ballfield behind the Conwell School, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE TWELVE: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $24,045.00 for the Worthington Library, or take any other action in relation thereto:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Worthington Library$24,045.00$24,045.00RecommendedRecommended

ARTICLE THIRTEEN: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $21,895.00 for the following Town charges, or take any other action in relation thereto:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Maintenance of Cemeteries$18,500.00$17,995.00RecommendedRecommended
Cem. Commission Expense500.00500.00  RecommendedRecommended
Grave Openings3,400.003,400.00RecommendedRecommended
Total:$22,400.00$21,895.00  

ARTICLE FOURTEEN: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $3,000.00 from the Sale of Lots Account to make improvements to the Ringville Cemetery driveway, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE FIFTEEN:  To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of$821,686.00 for the following Town charges, or take any other action in relation thereto:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Hampshire Cty Retirement$302,287.00$323,278.00RecommendedRecommended
Unemployment Comp.3,500.003,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Workers Compensation12,000.0016,300.00RecommendedRecommended
Group Insurance371,752.00391,038.00RecommendedRecommended
Insurance and Bonds61,000.0062,570.00RecommendedRecommended
Medicare24,000.0025,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Total:$704,273.00$821,686.00  

ARTICLE SIXTEEN: To see if Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $218,609.00 for the following Town charges, or take any other action in relation thereto:

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Emergency Mgmt. Salary$1,136.00$1,164.00RecommendedRecommended
Emergency Mgmt. Expenses600.00600.00RecommendedRecommended
Code Red1,368.001,368.00RecommendedRecommended
Animal Control Officer Salary1,865.001,912.00RecommendedRecommended
Animal Control Officer. Exp.300.00300.00RecommendedRecommended
Hilltown Comm. Ambulance44,434.8763,482.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Constable100.00100.00RecommendedRecommended
Animal Inspector779.00798.00RecommendedRecommended
Building Commissioner22,452.0023,487.00RecommendedRecommended
Building Inspector Alternate0.001,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Building Inspector’s Expenses2,500.002,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Plumbing Inspector1,690.001,732.00RecommendedRecommended
Plumbing Inspector’s Expense400.00500.00RecommendedRecommended
Wiring Inspector3,820.003,916.00RecommendedRecommended
Wiring Inspector’s Expense120.001,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Assist. Wiring Insp. Expense300.00300.00RecommendedRecommended
Gas Inspector1,328.001,361.00RecommendedRecommended
Board of Health Expenses200.00200.00RecommendedRecommended
Board of Health Agent5,500.004,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Ctrl. Hamp. Veterans’ Service6,134.006,179.00RecommendedRecommended
Veteran’s Aid12,000.0012,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Disposal Works62,000.0066,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Disposal Attendant13,344.0014,224.00RecommendedRecommended
Hilltown Resource Mgt. Coop.6,869.007,004.00RecommendedRecommended
Streetlights1,200.001,350.00RecommendedRecommended
Total:$190,439.87$218,609.00  

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN: To see if Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate $67,913.00 for the following Town charges, or take any other action in relation thereto:

FIRE DEPARTMENT

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Fire Dept. Operating Exps.$27,000.00$33,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Fire Department Fuel2,500.002,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Clerical6,103.006,381.00RecommendedRecommended
Fire Chief Salary    6,779.00       7,091.00RecommendedRecommended
Fire Dept. Grant Writer1,406.001,441.00Recommended Recommended
Code Inspection Comp.1,500.001,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Fire Dept. Call Comp.15,000.0016,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Total$60,288.00$67,913.00  

ARTICLE EIGHTEEN: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $15,000.00 from the General Stabilization Fund for the repair of the Fire Department’s KME E3 Pump, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE NINETEEN: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $3,600.00 from the General Stabilization Fund for the Fire Department’s Federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant Match, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE TWENTY: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $1,500.00 from the General Stabilization Fund for the Inspection and Certification of the Fire Department’s Pierce Ladder Truck, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE TWENTY-ONE: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $31,248.00 for Principal and Interest on the Fire Truck Debt, or take any other action in relation thereto:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Fire Pumper Truck                 $31,994.50$31,248.00RecommendedRecommended

ARTICLE TWENTY-TWO: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate $191,053.00 for the following Town charges, or take any other action in relation thereto:

POLICE DEPARTMENT:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
Police Dept. Expenses$21,025.00$21,550.00RecommendedRecommended
Police Chief Salary85,120.0089,918.00RecommendedRecommended
Police Dept. Wages62,400.0065,083.00RecommendedRecommended
Police Clerical Wages12,205.0012,761.00Recommended Recommended
IMC Software Maint.888.00991.00RecommendedRecommended
CJIS Yearly Maintenance750.00750.00RecommendedRecommended
Total$182,388.00$191,053.00  

ARTICLE TWENTY-THREE: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $652,842.00 for the following Town charges, or take any other action in relation thereto:

 FY2024 AdoptedFY2025 ProposedSelectboard ActionFinance Comm. Action
General Highway Maint.$50,000.00$40,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Road Sweeping6,500.006,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Town Mowing12,000.0012,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Winter Highway Maint.110,000.00110,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Wtr. HWY Overtime Wages11,850.0011,850.00RecommendedRecommended
Highway Dept. Wages178,942.00239,554.00RecommendedRecommended
Highway Wages Clerical6,103.006,381.00RecommendedRecommended
Highway Superintendent87,672.0091,707.00RecommendedRecommended
Hwy.Supt. Add’l Wtr. Comp.2,500.002,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Garage Maintenance14,000.0015,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Extraordinary Garage Maint.6,000.000.00RecommendedRecommended
Machinery Maintenance40,000.0030,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Extraordinary Machinery Maint.5,000.000.00RecommendedRecommended
Highway/Police Fuel33,500.0033,500.00RecommendedRecommended
Superintendent’s Expense1,500.00600.00RecommendedRecommended
FRCOG Group Purchasing3,250.003,250.00RecommendedRecommended
Secondary Rd. Improvemts.60,000.0050,000.00RecommendedRecommended
Total:$628,817.00$652,842.00  

ARTICLE TWENTY-FOUR: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $14,458.00 from the General Stabilization Fund to purchase a New Waste Oil Furnace for the Highway Garage, or take any action relative thereto. 

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE TWENTY-FIVE: To see if the Town will vote to adopt M.G.L 32B, Section 9A, wherein the Town will pay one-half (50%) of the premium costs payable by an eligible, retired employee for group health insurance, or take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE TWENTY-SIX: To see if the Town will vote to adopt M.G.L 32B, Section 9D, wherein the Town will pay one-half (50%) of the premium costs payable by the surviving spouse of an insured employee or a retired employee for group health insurance, or take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE TWENTY-SEVEN: To see if the Town will vote to Raise and Appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 to establish a Reserve Fund to provide for extraordinary or unforeseen expenditures, as provided by M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 6, as amended, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT:  To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate as available funds the total sum of $232,578.81 from Chapter 90 funds or any other amounts from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for highway construction and/or maintenance, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended               Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE: To see if the Town will vote to Appropriate and Transfer the sum of $162,805.00 from Free Cash to the General Stabilization Fund, or to take any other action in relation thereto.

Selectboard Action: Recommended Finance Comm. Action: Recommended

ARTICLE THIRTY: To see if the Town will vote to Authorize the Selectboard to enter into contracts with the Massachusetts Highway Department for construction and/or maintenance of public highways for the Fiscal Year 2025, and further to authorize the Selectboard on behalf of the Town to accept any money from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for highway construction and/or maintenance, or to take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE THIRTY-ONE: To see if the Town will vote to Authorize the Selectboard to apply for Massachusetts State or Federal grant programs and to further Authorize the Selectboard to expend monies received through such programs following a public hearing, or take any other action in relation thereto.

Zoning Bylaw Revisions:

ARTICLE THIRTY-TWO:

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Law by:

Amending Section 10 “Definitions” to add the following after the definition of “One family dwelling” and before that of “Private Club”:

Outdoor Recreation:  Land used primarily for recreational activity, particularly oriented to and utilizing the outdoor character of an area including, but not limited to golf, tennis, swimming, skiing, snowmobiling, sporting club, campgrounds, livery or riding stable.

AND

Amending Section 4.4(A) “Uses which are authorized after issuance of a Special Permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals” by replacing:

  1. Garage
  2. Filling Station
  3. Inn
  4. Motel
  5. Store
  6. Ski Tow
  7. Light Industry
  8. Small Business
  9. Sawmill
  10. Large scale raising of poultry, pigs, hogs, fur-bearing or other farm animals.
  11. Conversion of a one-family dwelling existing at the time this By-Law was originally adopted into a two-family dwelling.
  12. Restaurant
  13. Boarding House
  14. Manufactured Housing
  15. Riding Stable
  16. Private Club
  17. Recreational Camps
  18. Seasonal Dwellings
  19. Camping Areas
  20. Seasonal Food Trucks and Trailers operating at a fixed location for more than 5 days

With:

  1. Garage
  2. Filling Station
  3. Inn
  4. Motel
  5. Store
  6. Light Industry
  7. Small Business
  8. Sawmill
  9. Large scale raising of poultry, pigs, hogs, fur-bearing or other farm animals.
  10. Conversion of a one-family dwelling existing at the time this By-Law was originally adopted into a two-family dwelling.
  11. Restaurant
  12. Boarding House
  13. Manufactured Housing
  14. Private Club
  15. Seasonal Dwellings
  16. Seasonal Food Trucks and Trailers operating at a fixed location for more than 5 days
  17. Outdoor Recreation

or take any other action in relation thereto.

ARTICLE THIRTY-THREE:

To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning By-Law Section 4.3 (Permitted in All Districts)

By inserting Section 4.3(C):

  • Temporary Events: Use of property for events such as fairs, entertainment, outdoor recreational events or carnivals which are not usual and customary under the primary use of the property shall require an Event Permit from the Selectboard. Such events shall be limited to a maximum of eight (8) days in a calendar year, and the total number of such events shall be limited to a maximum of three (3).  The Selectboard may elect to reduce the number of days or number of events.

or take any other action in relation thereto.

Given under our hands April 26, 2024            I have served this warrant as directed.

                                                                                                                        Date of Posting:                                                        

                                                                                                  Constable

Selectboard

ATTEST

GLOSSARY

APPROPRIATION: An authorization granted by a Town Meeting to make expenditures and to incur obligations for specific purposes.  A “specific” appropriation is carried forward year to year until spent for the designated purpose or transferred by Town Meeting vote to another account.

AVAILABLE FUNDS: Free Cash, reserves and unexpended balances available for appropriation.

CHERRY SHEETS: Named for the cherry-colored paper on which they were originally printed, the Cherry Sheets are the official notification of the next fiscal year’s state aid and assessments to communities and regional school districts from the Commissioner of Revenue.  State aid to municipalities and regional school districts consists of two major types — distributions and reimbursements.  Distributions provide funds based on formulas while reimbursements provide funds for costs incurred during a prior period for certain programs or services.  In addition, communities may receive “offset items” that must be spent on specific programs.  Cherry Sheet Assessments are advance estimates of state assessments and charges.  Local assessors are required to use these figures in setting the local tax rate.  Because these figures are estimates, it should be noted that based on filing requirements and/or actual information, the final aid or assessment may differ.

ESTIMATED RECEIPTS: Estimate of money to be received by the Town from various sources, such as MVE excise, licenses, fees, state reimbursements, etc.  The estimate is deducted by the Assessors from the gross amount to be raised by taxes when the tax rate is set.

EXCESS LEVY CAPACITY: The difference between the levy limit and the amount of real and personal property taxes actually levied in a given year.

FISCAL YEAR: A twelve-month period commencing July l, to which the annual budget applies and at the end of which a Town determines its financial position and the results of its operations.

FREE CASH: Unrestricted funds from operations of the previous fiscal year that are certified by the Director of Accounts as available for appropriation.  Remaining funds include unexpended free cash from the previous year, receipts in excess of estimates shown on the tax recapitulation sheet, and unspent amounts in budget line items.  Unpaid property taxes and certain deficits reduce the amount that can be certified as free cash. The calculation of free cash is based on the balance sheet as of June 30, which is submitted by the town accountant. A community should maintain a free cash balance to provide a hedge against unforeseen expenditures. Maintenance of an adequate free cash level is not a luxury but a necessary component of sound local fiscal management.  Credit rating agencies and other members of the financial community expect municipalities to maintain free cash reserves and make judgments regarding a community’s fiscal stability, in part, on the basis of free cash.   “Free Cash” is also referred to as “Available Funds”.

OVERLAY: (Overlay Reserve or Allowance for Abatements and Exemptions) An account established annually to fund anticipated property tax abatements, exemptions and uncollected taxes in that year.  The overlay reserve is not established by the normal appropriation process, but rather is raised on the tax rate recapitulation sheet.

OVERLAY SURPLUS: Unused, accumulated amount of the Overlay for various years, which may be voted for any lawful purpose and reverts to Free Cash at the end of each Fiscal Year.

RESERVE FUND: An amount set aside annually within the budget to provide a funding source for extraordinary unforeseen expenditures. The finance committee can authorize transfers from this fund for “extraordinary or unforeseen” expenditures.  Other uses of the fund require budgetary transfers by town meeting.

STABILIZATION FUND: A fund designed to accumulate amounts for capital and other future spending purposes, although it may be appropriated for any lawful purpose.  (MGL Ch. 40 § 5B).  Towns may appropriate into this fund in any year by a simple majority vote. Any interest shall be added to and become a part of the fund.  A two-thirds vote of town meeting is required to appropriate money from the stabilization fund.

SURPLUS REVENUE: The amount by which the cash, accounts receivable and other assets exceed the liabilities and reserves.

TOWN MEETING WARRANT: A written order calling for an Annual or Special Town Meeting and containing a list of items to be acted upon. Warrants are posted at the official posting place.

1 Comment

  1. Sara upton says:
    Reply

    Sorry i only focused on the comment—
    Will we be able to bring old tires to the transfer station soon???
    We have 8 tires and surely there are other tire concerned townspeople. I would hate to see them dumped in the woods or wherever is most convenient.

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