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Select Board approves training plan for new tabulator and accessibility tablets; clerk budgets adjusted for mailing and equipment
Summary
The elections budget includes a new tabulator and ADA assistive tablets; the town will receive training ahead of the March election and is switching routine renewal notices from mail to email to reduce postage costs.
The Select Board reviewed proposed elections and town‑clerk changes that include purchasing a new ballot tabulator, adopting assistive tablet rentals for voters with disabilities, and modest increases in ballot clerk pay.
Elections official (speaker 7) said the town purchased a new federally‑ and state‑certified tabulator to replace aging equipment and that pull‑pad check‑in devices and a Democracy Live assistive tablet (for voters with disabilities) will be available. The new check‑in workflow will issue a slip confirming the voter’s check‑in that the clerk then uses to issue the paper ballot; officials said the system should speed tabulation and reduce overnight reconciliation tasks.
The board noted increases in ballot clerk wages and supervisor stipends in a year with three elections. The tabulator and assistive systems will require on‑site training, which staff expect before the March election. Town clerk staff also reported switching to emailed vehicle‑registration renewal notices for most residents to reduce postage costs; the clerk’s office remains the municipality’s largest revenue generator (primarily motor‑vehicle registration revenue).
No vote was required; training dates will be scheduled and staff will report back on implementation and any needed operational changes for polling day.
