Budget moves forward

Thursday, February 16, 2012

MONT VERNON – About a dozen residents and town volunteers and officials Monday night sent the town’s proposed $1.98 million operating budget onto the March 13 Town Meeting.

The full warrant of more than a dozen articles also goes on for what is expected to be a lengthy series of discussions at the meeting, which starts shortly after the polls close at 7 p.m.

The proposed budget reflects a roughly $44,000, or 2.2 percent, increase over the current $1.8 million budget voters adopted at 2011 Town Meeting.

In separate warrant articles, voters will be asked to consider a roughly $80,000, five-year appropriation for town road reconstruction; a request for $40,000 to repair and maintain the historic McCollom Building; about $35,000 to replace the fire department’s hydraulic rescue tool; and a $25,000 request for a four-wheel drive pickup truck for the Highway Department.

But the article that may spur the most discussion that night has no dollars and cents attached. Article 12 asks residents whether the town should change the name of Jew Pond to Grand Hill Pond.

During the day March 13, voters will go to the Village School polls to elect candidates for various town offices, boards and commissions.

--DEAN SHALHOUP