RUTLAND — Voters at the May 6 town meeting approved a budget contingent on the passage of a $2 million Proposition 2½ override at the May 8 town election.
The budget is the main duty of the legislative gathering of voters.
By a vote of 207 in favor to 18 opposed, the voters approved the municipal spending figure, contingent on the override passing.
Voters then proceeded to approve other pieces of the budget, including the Wachusett Regional School District spending plan in two pieces ($8,718,417 as the minimum required contribution and an additional $4,614,214, with $50,000 of the latter sum contingent on the override passing); the Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School Assessment ($650,442); and other town expenses.
The election (results available after The Landmark’s deadline) will determine whether spending cuts are needed to town departments, and if the town goes on record as denying the regional schools budget.
Other voter actions supported changing the town clerk position from elected to appointed. The article was amended to make the change effective with the retirement of the current clerk, wording commonly used in other towns making the change. The final change was approved 101 to 88.
A change in the moderator’s term from one year to three years also won in a 152-to-29 vote.
Various spending, zoning and routine articles all passed. A citizens’ petition to add an assistant town administrator position failed, with 25 in favor and 82 opposed.
