HOLDEN — The town budget awaits action by town meeting voters when they gather at 7 p.m. Monday, May 20, at Wachusett Regional High School.
The $80.7 million spending plan, with $66.6 million for the general expenditures, stretched town finances as the town considered revenue limitations.
In the end, a general Proposition 2½ override, which was raised as an option early in the process, was avoided.
The estimated $52.5 million tax levy for fiscal 2025 would increase the average tax bill by roughly $271, according to the budget book prepared to detail town finances for town meeting voters.
Many of the 35 articles on the warrant address portions of the town budget.
Spending could be adjusted by voters, who will also have the option of approving a $2 million debt exclusion borrowing to add funds to the Dawson recreation project as well as funding capital projects costing about $670,000 by raising the tax limit. The two articles also need approval at the May 13 town election, which will be decided just after The Landmark’s press time.
Other articles include using $250,000 from the General Stabilization Fund to complete windows work at the Damon Memorial and Gale Free Library, as well as $250,000 from the General Stabilization Fund for designing and constructing improvements to the modular classroom units at Dawson Elementary School.
A citizen’s petition article for $50,000 to fund a feasibility study to renovate, expand, or replace the Holden Senior Center is also up for a vote.
Several zoning changes are also on the warrant.
