BETHEL — For the second straight year, Bethel’s annual town meeting will take place on the common Wednesday, June 9 at 6 p.m.
Residents Pat McCartney and Tabaitha Steward are vying for the open seat on the select board board for a three-year term, which had been held by Selectman Peter Southam, who announced earlier this year he would not be seeking re-election. Southam had served nine years on the board.
Residents will also re-elect an assessor for a three-year term, with incumbent Bob Everett running unopposed.
Town Manager Loretta Powers said if all money articles on the warrant are approved, this year’s budget will be $4,693,084, up from last years of $4,283,807.
Articles three through seven on the warrant all relate to ordinances, with the first three asking if residents will vote to amend certain sections of them. Ordinances being amended are the Administration Ordinance (chapter 5), Site Plan Review Ordinance (Chapter 140) and the Sign Ordinance (chapter 136). The last two ask if residents will enact an ordinance on Food Sovereignty and an ordinance on Solar Facilities and a Wind Energy Moratorium.
Information on the ordinances are available at the town office.
Many of the money articles are either staying the same or slightly increasing or decreasing. The biggest change is the operation of solid waste management, with an expected budget (if approved) of $557,097, an increase from last year’s of $495,411. Powers said the biggest reason for the spike is because of an increase in construction debris.
Citizens will also decide if they want to sell the old water district building on Philbrook Street to Vicky Fimiani for $20,000.
Dutch Dresser will moderate the meeting.
Other notable articles
Article 19: Raise and appropriate $381,260 for Police Services, up from $379,232 in FY 2021.
Article 20: Raise and appropriate $261,798 for the Fire Department, up from $247,550 in FY 2021.
Article 21: Raise and appropriate $326, 581 for Ambulance Services, up from $302,883 in FY 2021.
Article 23: Raise and appropriate $615,908 for Public Works Department, up from $603,731 in FY 2021.
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