WOODSTOCK — Woodstock voters passed all 39 articles on the warrant at the annual town meeting held Monday, March 25.

The 2024 $3.987 million budget has increased 8.7% from the $3.665 million budget approved in 2023.

Town Manager Vern Maxfield said firefighters cleared the snow off the roof of the Woodstock Fire Station so it wouldn’t collapse during the meeting. Later when the Spirit of America Award was granted to David Bobbe for his commitment to the Town of Woodstock, Maxfield noted that Bobbe, who was always ready with a helping hand, was the one who shoveled the roof that day.

Including the three select board members and Maxfield, 52 turned out for the meeting.

Whitman Memorial Librarian, Pat Little said they purchased a puzzle table in memory of Ed Howe, who frequented the library to solve puzzles. She said the library’s new hours are: Mondays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Alice Deegan was chosen to continue as library trustee for the library.

After Steve Wight, of Newry, was sworn in as moderator, Jeff Campbell was chosen by voters to continue in his role as selectman.

Article 5 for town road maintenance passed for $672,000, up from $657,000 in 2023.

Article 6 was to purchase a 2024 fully equipped Western Star plow truck at a cost of $246,000. It passed as well.

Article 7 was a vote to purchase a 2025 GMC truck versus investing $16,000 in repairs. They received a positive vote from the townspeople to finance the truck through O’Connor GMC for the next four years at 7.9%. The total cost of the truck is about $73,000 after a $15,000 trade-in.

Positive votes on articles 8 and 9 will mean the Town’s original small ballfield on Route 26 will remain, as is. Instead, a parking lot across from the Town’s public beach will be overhauled to include an expanded playground with additional parking. The transferred funds for the Route 26 ballfield had been appropriated in 2020 and would be transferred to the town beach parking area project.

Resident Eileen Storck said they serve 30-40 swimmers a summer at the town beach and the area is  currently unsafe and needs the upgrade. At intermission,  Storck sold cookies and other baked goods to help fund the town-sponsored swim program.

The Emergency Management Department operating expenses were increased.  Fire Chief Kyle Hopps was recognized with applause for the work he has done in the position.

Thomas Skinner has taken over the Animal Control Officer position and townspeople voted to pay him $350 per month.

In a discussion about allotting $8,000 for a town auditor,  Maxfield said, the Town has not had an audit since 2022 because auditors are so overbooked. They approved the monies. “There are towns all around us waiting for an audit,” said Selectboard Chair Ronnie Deegan.

The town raised and appropriated $14,977 to provider agencies. The Woodstock Food Pantry received $650.

Maxfield said the Bryant Pond Post Office has been sold. The previous owners had allowed the town to use the adjacent common for 30 years. The new owner has signed the same agreement for 10 years. Maxfield said he didn’t know what the new owners planned to do with the post office.

The meeting adjourned after a little more than two hours.

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