CHESHIRE, Mass. — Voters will debate 26 warrant articles at Hoosac Valley High School at the annual town meeting on Monday, including the approval of the $6 million town budget.

 

Articles 8 through 15 would approve various aspects of the town budget, splitting departments into several budget groups. The most expensive budget article, Article 14, would appropriate $2,943,366 for Hoosac Valley Regional School District, $438,574 for McCann Technical School and $30,000 for out-of-district placements.

 

Article 8, if approved, will appropriate $1,238,110 for the general government budget, which includes expenses for the Board of Selectmen, town employees, the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and the Board of Assessors.  

 

To offset those expenses, Article 20 would put $226,559.23 of free cash toward lowering the town's tax rate. Article 17 would appropriate $125,800 from free cash to the town's capital stabilization fund and $7,500 would also go toward Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) compliance and reporting.

 

Several bylaw changes are also on the warrant, including Article 25, which would create a stormwater management bylaw for the town. The bylaw will regulate the town's storm drain system and prohibits illicit discharges, connections and obstructions.

 

The proposed bylaw would make the Conservation Commission, or any agent it authorizes, the town's stormwater authority. The commission would have the ability to enforce penalties for violations, including fines of up to $300 for each day of violation, injunctions and orders for remediation.

 

Article 12 would appropriate $908,029 for the Highway Department and Tree Warden operations. The Board of Selectmen also requested the addition of Article 5, which would allow the town to appropriate funds for applicable State Aid Highway Programs to help improve and maintain town roads and bridges.

 

Article 9 would appropriate $324,621 for a Public Safety budget, including police, fire and emergency management services.

 

Article 15, if approved, will appropriate $260,938 for debt service expenses. The most expensive of these is $109,500 for the Well Land bond payment, which will expire in 2024.

 

Article 11 would appropriate $247,249 for health and human services. This figure includes $122,166 for the town compactor and transfer station budget, $21,446 for the Board of Health budget and $67,943 for the Council on Aging budget.

 

The COA will also get a $5,000 revolving fund, which would be to accept receipts for fees and COA programs, if Article 18 is approved.

 

Article 10 would appropriate $36,561 for the Building Department budget. The general government budget also includes $75,000 for special repairs to town buildings and $28,818 for town building facilities maintenance.

 

Article 13, if approved, will budget $116,580 for recreation and culture services. Included is $33,620 for the Cheshire Library Association, $40,240 for the Cemetery and $42,000 for Veteran Services and the annual Memorial Day parade.

 

Article 21 proposes moving the annual town meeting date from the second Monday in June to the last Monday of April. If approved, the article would also move the start time from 7 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on that day.

 

Article 23 would amend the town's marijuana bylaw, changing the total number of non-retail cannabis establishments allowed in town at one time from six to two. This article, proposed by the Board of Selectmen, will require a two-thirds vote to pass.

 

The warrant also includes $62,600 for proposed capital projects. Article 18, if approved, would appropriate $42,600 to repair the Cheshire Cemetery vault and $20,000 for the town fuel tank.

 

Article 19 would transfer $320,209 from Water Department receipts to the water enterprise fund for the fiscal year. This funding will cover water department operating costs, debt service, salaries and repairs.

 

Article 7, if approved, will raise an appropriate $20,000 to act as a town reserve fund for the fiscal year.

 

Article 3 would allow the Board of Selectmen to dispose of unused town property and equipment.