Hot topic: The Windsor Selectboard will undergo a major overhaul with three of the five seats up for grabs and no incumbents on the ballot. Chairwoman Heather Prebish, who was elected in 2015, and Paul Belaski, a former state legislator, are not seeking reelection. James Reed, the board’s vice-chairman, resigned in November, creating a third open seat.
Three candidates — Ryan Palmer, Eric Saltonstall and Paul Woodman — are vying for a three-year term. A two-year term has also drawn three candidates — Tom Dunn, Alicia Houske and Jeffrey Johnson. Former board member Michael McNaughton is running unopposed for Reed’s seat that expires in March 2022.
Budget: The proposed budget for municipal operations is $5.58 million, which represents a 3.4% increase in spending. The proposed budget — a $185,000 spending increase from last year — will require nearly $4 million to be raised in taxes. If approved, residents can expect to see a tax increase of roughly $67 per $100,000 of a home’s assessed value. (A home valued at $150,000 would see a tax increase of about $100, or roughly 2%.)
When and where: A virtual informational meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 1, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. See the town website for a link. On Tuesday, March 2, articles on the town warning and for elected offices will be voted on by Australian ballot at the Windsor Municipal Building. Polls will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
— Jim Kenyon