Hubbardston Select Board moves town election one week and approves three debt‑exemption questions for June ballot

The Town of Hubbardston Select Board voted to reschedule the 2025 annual town election from Tuesday, June 10 to Tuesday, June 17, citing legal advice and the need to meet statutory posting deadlines for ballot questions. The board also approved an in‑person early‑voting schedule and placed three debt‑exclusion questions on the June 17 ballot.

Why it matters: Moving the election one week avoids a special election and ensures the town meets the 35‑day statutory filing window for ballot question language under Massachusetts General Law chapter 53, section 10, town officials said. The board also approved required summary language for each debt‑exclusion question and authorized the town to seek a governor’s special act to cover any residual legal ambiguity about the date change.

What the board approved: The board voted to (1) move the annual town election to June 17, 2025; (2) forward an in‑person early‑voting schedule to the town clerk/board of registrars for final confirmation; and (3) place three debt‑exemption questions on the ballot. The three questions read as exemptions from Proposition 2½ for amounts required to pay debt on: a new fire truck; a used plow truck for the Department of Public Works; and a new brush mower for the Department of Public Works. Town counsel and the town clerk reviewed the ballot summaries before the motion.

Ballot language and town meeting timing: Officials said town meeting will occur before the election and residents will see the debt exclusion questions during the town meeting discussion. The board approved the short explanatory language the clerk prepared for the official ballot and moved to authorize submission of a special‑act request to the governor (through the town’s legislative delegation) as a precautionary measure. Select Board members said the special‑act request will be finalized and returned for signatures at the next meeting.

Votes and outcomes: The motion to reschedule the election passed (motion carried). The motion to adopt the in‑person early‑voting schedule passed (motion carried). The motion to place the three debt‑exemption questions on the ballot passed; the Select Board subsequently voted to approve the clerk’s summary language for the ballot questions and to authorize the select board chair and town officials to submit the special‑act request to the legislative delegation.

Financial context: Select Board discussion noted debt exclusions are distinct from operating‑budget votes; they permit a town to exempt a specific debt service amount from the Proposition 2½ levy limit if voters approve. Officials said more detailed cost and term information on each proposed borrowing will be available to voters at town meeting; the board emphasized the requirement that appropriation details be presented to voters before they cast their ballots.

Next steps: Town administrators will post the approved ballot language, finalize the early‑voting schedule with the registrars, file the debt‑exemption warrant language, and work with the legislative delegation on the draft special act to be finalized and signed at an upcoming meeting.