Worthington at a glance: key votes from the annual town meeting

Worthington voters acted on the annual warrant, approving a range of operating and capital articles by voice vote.

Highlights: - Article 1: Election of non‑ballot town officers — passed unanimously. - Article 3: Worthington school district FY2027 budget — amended and approved at $1,940,351.38 (amendment reduced total by $30,000 to reflect two fewer students in regional high school attendance). - Article 4: Reauthorize Conwell School Laptop Protection Plan revolving fund limit — $6,000 (FY2027) — approved. - Article 5: Vocational education appropriation — $366,217 — approved. - Article 11: Public health and safety charges — $229,786 — approved (questions about Hilltown Ambulance funding and streetlight billing answered during discussion). - Article 13: Police department charges — $142,496 — approved after discussion about staffing; officer described current patrol hours and introduced the trainee dog 'Tracer'. - Article 14: Highway department charges — $653,465 — approved. - Articles 15–19, 21, 29–31: Various transfers from stabilization, equipment purchases, reserve funds and legal invoice payments (noted in minutes) — approved, many by two‑thirds voice vote where required. - Article 24: Bylaw to authorize enforcement of seasonal closures of town ways and bridges — approved. - Article 26: Authorize Select Board to designate a member as town webmaster under G.L. c.268A §21A — approved (see separate story for details). - Article 27.5 (citizen petition): Advisory instructing the Select Board to obtain an independent legal opinion on permitting of large‑scale solar and storage — passed as nonbinding advisory; Select Board to consider funding paths.

Most articles passed by voice vote with the moderator noting unanimous or sufficient majorities; where a two‑thirds vote was required the moderator first conducted a voice vote and then counted if necessary.