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Select Board reopens special town‑meeting warrant, trims several money articles and proposes 6:30 p.m. start
Summary
Board reopened the ATM 2026 warrant, recommended changing the start time to 6:30 p.m., removed or deferred several capital and money articles to the fall (including pickup/dump truck discussions), and discussed HVAC bid shortfalls and CPA requests.
The Hamlin Select Board reopened and revised its special town‑meeting warrant on March 30, moving to streamline the meeting and push several capital or high‑cost articles into the fall warrant cycle. Brian recommended changing the special‑meeting start time to 6:30 p.m.; he and other members agreed to confirm the timing with the Attorney General’s office before posting.
Members debated keeping or removing a number of money articles. Several capital purchases — including a dump truck, pickup truck and large equipment — were proposed for removal from the spring warrant and repurposing for the fall when chapter‑90 receipts and free‑cash estimates will be clearer. Board members flagged the risk that deferring vehicle purchases could delay deliveries; they agreed to “pin” some requests for the fall rather than proceed now.
The board reviewed bids that came in above budget for two capital projects. The senior center HVAC bid returned at $257,623, higher than originally budgeted; members said the building committee will reconvene to decide whether to rebid, remove a package, accept the bid and seek donations, or pursue alternatives. The chair said higher global construction costs have raised bids across the board and that decisions may be postponed until the fall finance cycle in order to preserve fiscal flexibility.
The board also considered Community Preservation Act (CPA) requests, including a proposed $60,000 CPA request for land acquisition and a $25,000 field restoration item. Members discussed whether to bring CPA participation back to a future town meeting for reconsideration in light of a large unencumbered CPA balance (noted as more than $500,000) and a low state match this year; no final decision was made.
The board closed its warrant revision session with motions to accept the changes and to reauthorize the warrant items that remain; members voted to close the warrant after making the agreed adjustments.
