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Select Board narrows warrant: removes one highway article, defers some capital items and seeks clearer veterans exemption language
Summary
As the board finalized the annual town warrant, members removed article 17 (highway purchase) from the warrant, debated article 18 (a park/rec request) and asked staff to clarify veterans’ tax‑exemption language for voters. The board also set deadlines for printing and review ahead of the April election.
The Select Board on March 17 moved to adjust the draft annual warrant ahead of the April town election, removing one article and asking for clearer language on others.
Board members voted to remove article 17 (a highway department capital purchase) from the warrant and debated article 18 (a Park and Recreation equipment request). Several members said they could not endorse article 18 without cost quotes; the board asked staff to obtain firm numbers and deferred a final decision to the next meeting.
Members discussed a veterans’ property‑tax exemption placement on the warrant and asked that the final article phrase the measure in clear statutory terms so residents understand whether the figure refers to a percentage of the tax bill or to an exemption cap. The board said staff should include an explanatory note to make the intent clear to voters.
The board also reviewed other proposed capital and school articles, asked departments for final cost estimates so advisory can hold its hearing on April 14 (printing deadlines require final language by early April), and agreed to reopen the warrant briefly to add an article related to a landfill solar lease amendment.
Board members emphasized fiscal caution on high‑cost items and said they would remove or delay articles they could not support in this budget cycle.
