One Down: Cheshire Approves Hoosac Valley Reconstruction
  Selectman Daniel Delorey speaks in favor of the project, saying it was the 'right time' to do it. Not everyone agreed; about 10 percent voted against. |
A packed auditorium at Cheshire Elementary School on Monday night didn't waste time debating the issue but signaled with a sea of yellow cards to approve the project 193-19.
"I feel good about it. This is the reason why I love this town," said building committee co-Chairman Francis Waterman. The town comes together when it needs to, he continued, "a lot of these people are here because I called them."
It was the first of four votes to bring the high school reconstruction to fruition; the next is Tuesday night as Adams town meeting members gather at 7 at Plunkett School to weigh in. If town meeting votes in the affirmative, too, all voters will have a chance to decide the project's fate by voting whether to exclude it from a Proposition 2 1/2 override on Thursday. Cheshire votes on the same question Saturday.
Monday's meeting was scheduled to start at 7 but was delayed nearly 20 minutes to give voters time to register and get seated. An item to cut the town budget by some $37,500 to prevent triggering Proposition 2 1/2 passed quickly.
"We took them out where we thought and hope we have the wiggle room," said Selectman Paul Astorino, explaining the several line items reduced.
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"This project is riddled with wasteful spending," he said, pointing to items such as moving the driveway exit, paving lots and building a water-conservation tank under the planned gym.
Waterman disputed the claim, saying the school building committee and School Building Authority had gone through every item, some of which are mandated by the state.
"We've been working on this project for 18 months," he said. "This is a sound fiscal project with no waste ... that's what we strived to bring to both towns."
Voters sided with Waterman, approving Cheshire's estimated $3.7 million share.
Afterward, Waterman said opponents were focusing on details that may not happen. "If we find something doesn't make sense, we won't do it," he said.
Selectman Daniel Delorey, who also served on the building committee, urged voters to take the few minutes to vote for the debt exclusion on Saturday. Town Clerk Christine Emerson said her office would be open for absentee balloting on Tuesday from 10 to 9; Wednesday from 9 to 3 and until noon on Friday.
