Plainfield
Townspeople overwhelmingly passed an article giving Plainfield greater managerial control over the two village fire departments, which currently are operated as distinct 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
The prospect of increased insurance rates drove the initiative to reorganize.
“A year and a half ago, the Selectboard and members of the fire departments got together and started hashing out the idea that forms this article,” Selectboard member Robert Taylor said. “It seemed a really obvious choice to change the way things are set up now.”
Later in the meeting, voters agreed to set up a reserve fund to meet the fire department’s future equipment needs, endowing it with $25,000.
In introducing the budget, Stephen Halleran, the town administrator, noted Plainfield had ended the previous fiscal year $32,000 under budget, but that municipal needs required an additional $105,000 be raised this year.
He cited expenses ranging from planned repairs to roads and bridges to personnel costs, which comprise 52 percent of the town’s budget. Of the 144 townspeople to vote on the budget — a turnout of about nine percent of the town’s 1,629 registered voters — 129 voted “yea.” Several residents, however, said they found the town’s fiscal approach straining.
Russell Kelley asked why he would buy garbage stickers, required for roadside collection in Plainfield, when he could drop his trash in Lebanon for a fraction of the price. “I can’t afford town tickets on Social Security,” he said.
Diane Rogers, in turn, lamented the financial burden under which the town’s tax rate places some residents.
“We live modestly, but it’s getting more stressful,” she said.
After delivering her public comments, Rogers told the Valley News she may not return to Town Meeting next year. “I don’t feel it makes a difference,” she said.
Following a brief lunch break, voters discussed the state of the Meriden Library and the feasibility of tearing down the existing building and replacing it with a venue that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Members of both the Selectboard and the library study committee suggested building a new library, arguing it would be more cost-effective than retrofitting the current one. Halleran said he hoped to have a more detailed design and funding proposals prepared in time for next year’s Town Meeting, should the voters approve an article appropriating an initial $25,000 to a library building fund.
Joseph Crate voiced his support for the article, noting the town easily could build the new library in the footprint of the current one.
“We’ve got a good piece of land,” he said. “It’s right in the center of the village.” The motion carried, 121 to 22.
The second half of Saturday’s meeting was consumed largely by discussion of a pair of motions addressing energy usage in Plainfield. The first, introduced by Dartmouth College professor Lee Lynd, asked the town to commit to deriving its electricity entirely from renewable sources by the year 2030. The second proposed expanding tax exemptions for solar, wind and wood-heating systems.
Both articles passed easily.
Gabe Brison-Trezise can be reached at g.brisontrezise@gmail.com.