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SPENCER – Town Meeting convenes on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. It will take place at Spencer Town Hall (157 Main Street) where members will vote on articles, many of which involve financial appropriations.
Receiving the most attention are two articles authorizing funding for what will be Proposition 2 ½ override questions on the election ballot on May 12.
The first involves funding which totals $368,390 for four firefighters, who are currently paid by a grant. In FY27, it would actually cost $184,194 because the grant runs out in February 2027.
The second question totals $264,455 for the Spencer East Brookfield Regional School District’s operating budget.
The Town Meeting votes will authorize spending should the ballot questions get approved.
Larger budget items on the warrant include $15,668,854 for the general fund operating budget; $630,238 for capital equipment/lease purchase payments; $346,699 for snow removal; and $75,834 for snow removal salary and wages.
Regarding schools, there is an article seeking $9,851,695 for the Spencer East Brookfield district’s required minimum contribution; $1,744,721 for its transportation assessment; and $3,421,009 for debt service assessment.
A separate article asks to fund the Siemens lease purchase agreement totaling $338,319.
Also, Town Meeting members will be asked to fund the required minimum contribution for Bay Path at $1,368,849; its transportation assessment of $61,342; and debt service and capital assessment of $130,637.
For Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, the requests are $23,160 for non-resident tuition and $63,000 for non-resident transportation.
Several of the articles related to sewer and water are seeking approval for funding from those departments’ enterprise funds.
For sewer, the department seeks $3,278,118 and $221,427 in indirect costs. Also with the enterprise fund as a source are $300,000 for improvements to the collection system; $325,000 to design, bid and construct a cover for the sewer plant clarifier; and $155,600 for completion and close out of the wastewater plant improvement project.
The water department is proposing the creation of a water debt service stabilization fund and an allocation of $150,000 for it.
If approved from the enterprise fund, the water department’s total is $1,838,055 and $207,722 in indirect costs. That department is also seeking $150,000 for an efficiency plan pilot program for a water infiltration system and other improvements.
If Town Meeting agrees, transfers from other accounts would fund a police cruiser at $75,431 and roof replacement at the fire station for $150,000.
The trustees of the Spencer Rescue Squad have offered to donate all assets so Town Meeting will be asked to approve acquiring 1.61 acres of land on 6 Bixby Road. The town is taking over emergency ambulance services effective July 1.
Another article includes a list of capital equipment purchases and improvements amounting to $662,620 (see related article).
The warrant can also be found on the town website.
