Clarksburg Sets Annual Town Meeting for June 18
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CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The Selectmen on Monday night set an annual town meeting date of Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. at Clarksburg School.
The meeting date is a month later than normal. It has been held up in part by the state's difficulties in determining the town's free cash position because of apparent accounting errors from decades ago. The date was originally postponed from its setting on the fourth week in May because of the Clarksburg School's annual Holocaust studies program, which is using the school's gym that night.
Selectman Chairman Carl McKinney said the Department of Revenue is expected to have the final figures by the end of the week.
Officials had hoped to get the numbers from DOR on Monday. However, the state has said a meeting date could be scheduled with the assumption the figures would be available by that time.
The certification has been held up because of discrepancies in town accounts, some going back years. Voters can decide to spend free cash, to transfer it to other accounts or use it to reduce property taxes.
The Selectmen and Finance Committee have been concerned there would not be enough in the account to put toward items such as the Gates Avenue culvert or a generator for the emergency shelter at the Senior Center. The town also has to repay the school department some $24,000 in school-choice funds that had erroneously been credited to the town's general fund.
Of more importance is a $38,000 bill for past accounts between the treasurer and tax collector that were never properly balanced. The errors were discovered over the past year by current staff.
The town has authorized the police to investigate the issues but officials believe the problem is more a failure to cooperate in balancing the books rather than a matter of malfeasance.
With the date set, anyone wishing to participate at the annual town meeting must be registered to vote by Wednesday, May 29. Special voter registration hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m. at the town clerk's office at Town Hall. Mail-in voter registration cards can be found in the entry way to Town Hall in the rear of the building. Town Clerk Carol Jammalo said the absentee ballots for the June 25th special U.S. Senate election are also available.
• The Selectmen and Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. to review the warrant and budget figures.
• The annual town election is also Tuesday from noon to 7 at the Senior Center.
• The Selectmen will also hold a permit hearing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Senior Center for James Basiliere's request for earth and gravel removal and relocation related to Phase 1 of the North Adams Country Club renovation project.
Basiliere is planning to double the course's size and build a new clubhouse. The Selectmen will meet at 6:30 at the Senior Center for regular business and then read the public hearing at 7; there will be no live broadcast. (The Selectmen's meeting place has been corrected, we apologize for the error.)
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