Articles of note: The proposed annual budget of nearly $32.5 million would ordinarily be the big-money article, but it is overshadowed this year by a proposed $112 million bond issue for a new middle and high school in Woodstock. That project would be contingent on raising 25% of the cost through federal, state and donated funds and on a state law that would exempt construction costs from per pupil education spending penalties. Those measures would reduce the cost to taxpayers to around $84 million.
Contested races: Only two incumbents on the Mountain Views board face a challenge: Reading member Gina McAllister, a retired PR executive who handles communications for the district, is opposed by Alicia Fuggetta, a counselor at Prosper Valley School in Pomfret; and Woodstock member John Williams, the board’s vice chairman, is opposed by Lisa Linton, a Woodstock EMT who grew up in Bridgewater. The are no seats up for election in Barnard and Bridgewater, and no one running for the open seat in Pomfret. For three seats, one each in Killington, Plymouth and Reading, incumbents are running unopposed.
Budgets and spending articles: In addition to the budget and building project, voters will be asked to approve $300,000 to fix the wastewater system at the middle and high school building and $250,000 to replace the building’s boiler, which dates to 1958, when the school opened. The budget is about $4.9 million higher than the current year’s spending, driven primarily by wages, health insurance, special education and building maintenance costs.
When, where and how to vote: Polls are open on Tuesday, March 3 at Barnard Town Hall, 115 North Road, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Bridgewater Town Clerk’s Office, 45 Southgate Loop, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Killington Town Hall, 2706 River Road, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Plymouth Municipal Building, 68 Town Office Road, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Pomfret Town Office, 5218 Pomfret Road, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Reading Town Hall, 799 Vt. Route 106, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Woodstock Town Hall, 31 the Green, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
