NEW SHARON – Voters declined to build a new firehouse at Saturday’s town meeting, a lengthy affair that saw fewer than six articles pass before the noontime community lunch.
Significant debate over town official salaries, run-off elections and thorough discussion at every article dominated the morning session. Residents spent more than an hour debating a $52,000 pay schedule for selectmen, treasurer and the town clerk, attempting two amendments to reduce the line to $46,000. One of these failed by a vote of 95 in favor and 95 opposed, and eventually the full $52,000 was approved.
Elections took place in a multi-stage process, as is typical in an outspoken town which nominates officials from the floor. Two challengers opposed Selectman Russ Gardner’s bid for reelection; Terry McManus and Tamara Morgan. The three candidates earned 94, 46 and 62 votes, respectively, which forced a run-off. McManus bowed out, and Gardner took 111 votes to Morgan’s 87 and won reelection.
Three candidates ran for the position of road commissioner: incumbent Kevin Brann, Donald Lowe and Dennis McCourt. The first race had Lowe taking 102 votes, to Brann’s 70 and McCourt’s 32; a single vote shy of the necessary majority. Groaning residents cast ballots once more, after McCourt dropped out, and Lowe won by a vote of 113 to 77.
One article, two “no” votes and some discussion on a $2,100 salary increase for the treasurer/tax collector position took the town into the noontime meal.
Following the recess, residents accepted a parcel of land from Deborah Rose, of Lynnfield, MA, off the Chandler Road. The parcel, .71 acres near the intersection of Chandler and Cape Cod Hill, provides views of sunsets and fireworks, and will be improved by the inclusion picnic table. There was some debate on whether the town should accept the property, but residents joined together to give Rose a round of applause after approving the gift.
The town voted down both Article 11, which sought permission to purchase 3.38 acres of land for a firehouse, and Article 12, which would have borrowed up to $1.06 million to building the firehouse. Residents indicated that the price was simply too high during the economic times.
“I don’t think the town needs any such building at this time,” resident Fred Hardy said.
Selectman Maynard Webster agreed.
“I think this rendition of the fire station is just more than we can afford,” Webster said.
Residents also voted down proposals to make the treasurer and road commissioner positions appointed rather than elected. Selectmen had been interested in the treasurer’s position in particular, so they could have direct oversight on the town’s financial officer.
