• Hubbardston voters approve ambulance, reject additional money for schools

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  By George Barnes
  Telegram & Gazette Staff
  

  Posted Jun. 14, 2016 at 9:57 PM
  
  
  

  HUBBARDSTON – Voters Tuesday approved buying a new ambulance, but rejected efforts to add $280,158 to the Quabbin Regional School District budget.

  Three times was a charm for the ambulance. On a third try in recent years a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion for $250,000 for the ambualnce was approved 349-315. Voters defeated the regional school request with 442 against and 221 in favor.

  At the annual town meeting last week, school officials told voters the $280,158 override was needed to offset significant increases in special needs tuition costs.

  After the vote on the ambulance was announced, interim Town Manager Raeanne Siegel said she was pleased.

  "I am very happy for the men and women who work very hard to provide services to the town," she said. "I am grateful to the town for passing this ambulance."

  In contests, voters elected Richard J. Haddad for one year on the Board of Selectmen and Scott J. LeBlanc to a one-year term on the Planning Board. Mr. Haddad defeated Randy J. Mizereck 309-224. He will join Selectmen Daniel S. Galante and Matthew S. Stauder, who were elected to three-year terms on the board and Selectmen Jeffrey L. Williams and Patrick Girouard, whose terms expire in 2018.

  Mr. LeBlanc defeated Kendall B. Daly 284-175.

  Several positions in town had no candidates. Those positions may be filled by write-in votes, which were not officially tallied Tuesday night.