TUNBRIDGE — Town Meeting started with a changing of the guard as longtime Town Moderator Euclid Farnham retired after serving in the post for 37 years and residents elected Gordon Barnaby to take his place.
“Euclid Farnham has spent a lifetime giving to Tunbridge,” said Selectman John O’Brien, who is also a state representative. O’Brien, his voice breaking up at times, then read a declaration from the Legislature recognizing Farnham for his “extraordinary legacy” and presented him with an American flag and a Vermont state flag that were flown outside the Statehouse in his honor.
All those in attendance gave Farnham a standing ovation. The 86-year-old seemed to take it all in stride.
“Tunbridge is my home,” Farnham said. “It’s where I’ve lived for 86 years and Tunbridge is where I’m going to die. Now let’s get down to business.”
Barnaby and Laura Ginsburg were both nominated and voters selected Barnaby in a paper ballot vote.
While voters approved the $623,653 general fund budget and $984,495 highway budget, there was much discussion about the rising costs, particularly in light of the First Branch Unified School District’s proposed $7 million budget, which was rejected by Chelsea and Tunbridge voters on Monday night.
Tunbridge’s general fund budget rose by 7% and the highway budget was up by 10%.
“It’s a pretty big increase,” Helen O’Donnell said. “It’s getting harder and harder to pay our taxes. I don’t know where to cut, and I’m not suggesting where to cut, but we just can’t sustain this type of increase.”
Some voters took particular issue with increasing funding for the Orange County Sheriff by $4,000, to $10,000, which prompted a discussion of police coverage in the town.
An amendment to trim nearly $16,000 from the highway budget directed at wage increases for workers was rejected by voters during a voice vote.
After breaking for lunch, voters reelected Selectman Michael McPhetres and Town Clerk Jillian Conner. They also authorized the Selectboard and town energy committee to develop a plan for a 30-35 kilowatt solar array which would power all town buildings.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
