Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Special Town Meeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Stockbridge readies four warrant articles to cover unexpected budget shortfalls
Summary
Town Administrator Marie Ryan told the Select Board the Special Town Meeting warrant contains four articles to cover deficits in insurance, investigative services, town counsel and employee benefits after an unexpected 16% rise in insurance costs; all items must be approved by voters.
The West Stockbridge Select Board heard an overview June 22 from Town Administrator Marie Y. Ryan of four warrant articles the town will present to voters at a Special Town Meeting to address budget shortfalls.
Marie said Article 1 seeks funding to cover a deficit in the town’s property and casualty insurance budget after the addition of equipment that raised premiums. Article 2 requests funding for unanticipated investigative services that were not included in the fiscal year budget. Article 3 covers an unexpected Town Counsel budget shortfall caused by several complex legal matters that required extensive legal assistance. Article 4 seeks additional funding for Health, Life and Dental Insurance after insurance costs rose by nearly 16 percent since the prior year.
The articles are intended to close gaps that emerged after the fiscal-year budget was set; Marie told the board all four items will need voter approval at the Special Town Meeting. No votes on the individual warrant articles were taken at the Select Board meeting.
The Select Board did not set a Special Town Meeting date during the session and said it will provide details to residents once the warrant and logistics are finalized.
