PAXTON — The 11-article warrant for the Nov. 20 special town meeting was handled fairly quickly, helped by passing over several articles.
Chief among the items to be discussed was the Wachusett Regional School District agreement between the five member towns, with a proposal to amend the weighted vote system used by the school committee.
Paxton representative Scott Runstrum, who is also chair of the School Committee, said the committee recommended that the town meeting take no action on the article.
Runstrum said that when the new plan, which reduced the size of the school committee, was adopted, Holden had six members, and the new plan was to increase Holden’s share to seven members, weighing each proportionally. The system would bring votes closer to one weighted vote per member, with 17 total members.
The change to the agreement requires four of the five member towns — Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling — to vote the change at town meetings.
“We won’t get four out of five in time” for the spring town elections, Runstrom said. “We will likely bring it back to a future meeting, but for now are recommending no action.”
The item was passed over.
Voters approved funding for an interim town administrator with Town Administrator Heather Munroe taking a two-month maternity leave, allocating $15,000 from the town’s free cash.
Select Board Chair Julia Pingitore said the need for an interim “comes at a time deep in the middle of the budget season.”
Given the timing, she said, “It’s better to have someone to coordinate the budget.”
Munroe said the objective was “to make sure everything keeps going for all of you.
“Some things we just don’t plan in life,” Munroe added. “Smack dab in the middle of budget season was not my plan.”
An interim administrator would work an estimated 19 hours a week, Pingitore said.
Voters also approved:
• Paying a bill from last year from the Worcester Water Department;
• Paying for the Public Safety generator repairs;
• Replacing a DPW mower;
• Adjusting the budget for the Water Enterprise;
• Allowing a five-year contract for a postage machine;
• Accepting Olivia Knoll as a public way; and
• Creating a Town Building Rentals/Leases revolving fund.
The meeting passed over two other articles: a Cemetery Commission budget item and a transfer for election costs.
The meeting was also an opportunity to recognize Rich Fenton for his contributions to the town as a volunteer.
Pingitore noted Fenton had served on the Finance Committee for 22 years.
“He captained that ship through many tempests through that time,” Pingitore said.
She also noted some of his other service to the town, including still serving on the Historical Commission and in the Lions Club. He had served on efforts from building committees to master plan and open space and recreation.
“It is quite a record of service,” Pingitore said, adding that was “in no way an exhaustive list.”
“Thank you for this recognition,” Fenton said.
But, he added, “It is also important we recognize the hard work of the rest of the Finance Committee, and especially those who work in the town hall. Without their continued support, very little would have gotten done.”
