May 13, 2014
Massachusetts

Washington voters approve 2015 plan

By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff | 05/12/2014 | www.berkshireeagle.com

WASHINGTON – Local taxpayers have adopted a nearly level-funded budget for the new fiscal year starting July 1.

Annual Town Meeting on Saturday night approved a fiscal 2015 spending plan of $1,508,000, roughly a $4,000 increase over the current budget, according to town officials.

The biggest budget item is the town’s share of public education. The voters supported a $586,000 assessment to the Central Berkshire Regional School District, an increase of $12,000 compared to fiscal 2014, which ends June 30.

Town Meeting also backed borrowing $100,000 toward the purchase of a highway truck with a plow costing just over $200,000, the balance to be paid from the town’s share of Chapter 90 state highway funds.

Town meeting voters also agreed to use $50,000 in surplus funds to lessen the tax impact of the fiscal 2015 budget. Municipal financial officials expect the current tax rate to increase 6 cents per $1,000 assessed value, from $13.43 to $13.49.

The final article of the 26 artcilesapproved revised the town’s bylaws governing wind turbine projects by prohibiting large- scale wind electric generation defined as any facility with a maximum generation capacity of greater than 60 kilowatts.

Meanwhile, all incumbents listed on next Saturday’s annual town election ballot are running unopposed, including Selectman Michael Case. Two races listed are in need of write-in candidates as none are listed for the two-year unexpired terms for the town auditor and a seat on the Finance Committee.

Polls will be open from noon to 4 p.m. May 16 at Town Hall.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/05/13/washington-voters-approve-2015-plan/