ADAMS, Mass. — Town meeting members approved 23 of the 25 articles on the annual town meeting warrant. 

 

The gymnasium in the Memorial Building was filled with 104 town meeting members who voted to approve the authorization for a number of spending articles making up a budget of approximately $21 million during a meeting that lasted 50 minutes. 

 

Of that, members approved, Article 5, an operations budget of $10,650,057, of which $8,074,370 is made up of personnel and $2,642,107 for operating expenses. 

 

"This is a level of services budget from one year ago," Town Administrator Nicholas Caccamo said. 

 

The amounts budgeted are reflective of what it takes for an organization, pay employees, provide health insurance, and all the ancillary costs, he said. 

 

The town has not yet finalized union contract negotiations with the police and clerical unions and still has open positions. So, there will be a special town meeting in late September or early October to adjust the budget based on the salaries and health insurance.

 

The positions have been conservatively budgeted at previous rates, maintaining each staff member's prior step or grade, as if the roles were filled full time. 

 

Health insurance for these roles have also been budgeted assuming the new personnel picks the family plan, ensuring the funds are available.

 

The most controversial items on the warrant were two citizens' petitions to include non-binding referendum questions on the general election ballot. 

 

Prior to failing, the items were amended, changing "general election" to annual election because items like this are not allowed on a general election ballot. 

 

The first question asked for voters to indicate the type of access route to the summit of Mount Greylock they would want: a surface roadway, aerial passenger tramway, or no build option. The article failed 55-38. 

 

Although the item is a non-binding referendum, the question was characterized as misleading because the master lease agreement the town has with the state does not allow for a tramway to be constructed based on a 1966 court decision, town meeting member Christine Hoyt said. 

 

The sister article, 24, also failed. It requested voters indicate whether they would like the town to withdraw from the Greylock Glen project. The town was designated by the state as the developer in 2006 after several failed projects in the 1,000-acre parcel at the foot of Mount Greylock.

 

Opponents of the article worried that raising this question could deter future developers — whether for campgrounds, lodging, or restaurants. Even if the measure failed at the ballot, it might signal the town isn't serious and undermine the progress made on the project so far.

 

"I really think that would be a shame with all the effort and beautiful building we have up there now," said meeting member Timothy Burdick. 

 

It was also mentioned that a question like this on the ballot could confuse voters because although the referendum is non-binding, some might interpret it as having a more definitive outcome, said Andrew Przystanski, town meeting member. 

 

Town meeting members also approved the appropriation of $333,006 from free cash for capital infrastructure and equipment for the Town Hall, Police Department, and Department of Public Works.

 

The article was held but passed after clarification on the purpose of the replacement of one police vehicle for the amount of $40,000. The interim Police Chief Timothy Sorrell explained that this is replacing a detective vehicle that was purchased with drug-seizure funds. 

 

The current vehicle has severe rot in its undercarriage and rocker panel and has about 70,000 miles on it. The replacement is a Hyundai Tucson, which was chosen from a state bid list and was $10,000 cheaper than the alternative, a Chevrolet Traverse. 

 

All other items passed with no discussion or following clarification. 

 

This year the town report was dedicated to retired Police Chief Richard Tarsa, who was recognized for his invaluable civic leadership" and was described as being a "steadfast contributor to the town's safety and well-being."