ROXBURY – Selectmen decided Monday night to postpone the annual town meeting until May 2.
This will be a first for the town of less than 400 people. The town meeting is traditionally held on the first Monday in March.
Selectman Tim Gallant said the postponement, and a possible permanent change to a later town meeting date, was the result of several issues. They include the resignation of one of the three selectman, uncertainty about the town’s share of the SAD 43 budget and several warrant items that came in late.
Mostly, he said, it’s because of the school budget. “It will be easier to develop a more accurate budget,” said Gallant.
The SAD 43 budget proposal generally isn’t ready until after many small towns hold their annual March town meetings.
Gallant said Selectman Dennis Daniels, owner of Ellis Pond Variety, resigned after one year in the position for personal reasons. Those wishing to run for the remaining two years of the term can get nomination papers from the town office on Feb. 23. The signatures of at least 25 voters must be turned in by April 4.
He said two proposals for town warrant articles came before selectmen Monday night, and that was also a factor in changing the annual town meeting to May.
One article concerns a proposal to deny residents building permits if they have not paid their back property taxes. He said several people have complained that additions are being made to homes when their taxes haven’t been paid in a timely manner. Gallant said the board is checking with a lawyer to see if permits can be denied over back taxes.
The second warrant article concerns a land dispute. Gallant declined to provide details because he said it is a legal matter. The board hopes the matter is resolved in time for action at the May 2 town meeting.
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