| 5/9/2013 7:14:00 AM School funds, dispensary moratorium approved at Phillipston town meeting |
| Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer PHILLIPSTON — After an override failed at the ballot in last week’s town election, Annual Town Meeting voters Wednesday approved $152,111 in additional funding for the Narragansett Regional School District. The 69-29 vote would allow the town to provide the district with the funding out of free cash. The district sought an $850,000 Proposition 2 1/2 override between Templeton and Phillipston, but the measure was rejected at the polls in both communities. “We have a really good school system,” said Stephanie Flynn. “Every year I’m proud to be part of this community that values education.” Templeton voters will again take up the additional funding issue at their town meeting. Depending on the outcome, Narragansett Superintendent Ruth Miller said the School Committee could chose not to accept the budget with the funding provided and present a new fiscal year 2014 plan which both towns would have to approve at a joint town meeting. If an approved school budget is not in place by Dec. 1, the state will step in. “The Department of Education and the Department of Revenue will look closely at our budget and closely at the towns’ and they’ll decide what the ... budget will be,” Ms. Miller said. The 115 voters in attendance approved a one-year moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in order to give the Planning Board time to create regulations regarding such facilities. Voters also approved $2,500 for an elevator in the Town Hall, $4,500 to fix the roof of the former fire station, $10,000 for the Planning Board to update several zoning bylaws, $22,500 to begin replacing self-contained breathing apparatuses and $6,000 for defibrillators for the Fire Department. The Highway Department will receive a new 10-wheel dump truck for $196,000, which will be paid for over five years out of the capital investment fund. Voters also approved allowing the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School to create a stabilization account. |
Paul working for you.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Phillipston uses Free cash to fund Narragansett additional request
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In a youtube video to Phillipston residents, Ruth Miller stated that if the town did not vote for the "new adjusted" school budget, that would be considered a no vote and if by July 1, there was no budget, the school would ask for a state 112 budget, but now it is Dec 1? Everyone should welcome the staqte to look over the town's budget and the school budget because I wish to point out a few things to them.
ReplyDeleteThe reporter was incorrect. As you know, FY 2014 starts July 1, so if there is no budget by then, that is when the School Committee can request the state take a look at things. I am in complete agreement with you - with the override voted down, the Town of Templeton cannot afford the School budget as it currently stands and the state's intervention is in everyone's best interest. I would like to point out that the possibility of the state's intervention was mocked by several posters on the blogger - I guess it wasn't a scare tactic afterall.
DeleteWill Spring, Advisory Board Chairman, and I went to Phillipston's Town Meeting, last night. They took the school articles out of order, and voted on these first. I have to give the people credit, the school supporters, did not get up and walk out, after what they wanted was over. This was not a painful vote for the people of Phillipston, they took the money out of free cash. This means there will be NO TAX INCREASE, for their town. One of the selectmen reminded the people, that the reason they had this money, was from the ice storm. A group of people from the high school went also. As you went in the door, you recieved a handout with the "proposed cuts if the budget was not passed", in red letters, naturally. I feel the same about "the kids", after all, I am a grandmother, but I also care from my town. A couple of people from the school came to speak to me. What I told them is the truth, we have no money, and we have no where to make cuts. I do feel our School Committee, could make cuts, or even changes, if they had to. What is the old saying, "You can't make the basket, if you don't take the shot!" This is the schools shot. I don't like being bullied or threatened. It is a very personal thing, so people need to look at the big picture, before they vote. Our town is limping back to health, it does not need anymore setbacks. My opinion, Bev.
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