The decision of the ConVal School Committee to recommend closing the local elementary school, and then the process to consider leaving the ConVal district after the recommendation failed, has made for some contentious discussions and meetings over the last 18 months.
But Saturday’s Town Meeting included lots of discussion about a “peace pole,” and as one resident said, “We should not argue about a peace pole.”
After a bout 425 residents voted by ballot on Tuesday to select town officials and representatives to boards and committees and approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance residents gathered at the Dublin Consolidated School on Saturday to consider 17 more articles of the Town Meeting warrant. All of the articles passed – including the peace pole– in a little more than two hours.
Voters quickly passed the Budget Committee’s recommended $2.77 million budget for general municipal operations. Some attendees feared amendments or requests to cut the budget as has occurred in other towns this year, but the budget passed without discussion.
An article for $619,000 in contributions to the Town Capital Reserve Funds, from the unassigned fund balance and from taxation for items, includes heavy highway equipment, fire and police equipment, road construction andtown building maintenance. One specific needs explained was to replace a 1997 fire truck.
Subsequent Articles regarding chip seal or paving of roads, purchase of a one-ton dump truck, purchase of a new police cruiser and replacement of the ramp for people with disabilities at the Police Department passed smoothly.
Article 9 concerned $150,000 for repairs and improvements at the Transfer Station. Discussion included praise for lowering the compactor, as several residents who described themselves as short in stature were in favor of this. One resident asked for consideration of adding better sanitation facilities and running water for the employees. The article passed as submitted.
Although not recommended by the Budget Committee, Town Meeting approved $4,395 to purchase a credit card machine for the town clerk/tax collector. The Select Board acknowledged there are fees, but many people today do not use checks or carry cash routinely.
Approval was given for support to the Dublin Advocate and for 11 charitable agencies who provide services locally. The revaluation and master plan trust funds were approved for contribution from taxation.
The Dublin Public Library was funded $3,300 for window repair and painting of the 1901 library building. Preliminary application for exploring a possible ground solar array on tow-owned property was also approved.
Attendees spent considerable time discussing the acceptance of Spruce Ridge Drive, currently a private road, as a public Class V road. This road serves as a cul de sac for a development of 11 homes, all now owned and occupied. Residents of the road shared that they would pay legal fees if necessary to make this change. They explained that the 12 school-age children who live on the road must cross a travel lane of Route 137 to board the school bus, but with town approval, the bus could enter Spruce Ridge Drive.
“It’s a good road,” Road Agent Roger Trempe said, and the article was approved.
The peace pole was a petition article for $2,230, and while petitioners acknowledged that they could likely raise the needed funding from the community, they hoped the approval of the taxpayers would ensure that this was everyone’s pole. The pole will be engraved with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in different languages. Students at DCS would work with community members to choose the languages.
The proposed placement of the pole between the library and Town Hall would allow a grassy area for quiet contemplation and adequate parking for accessibility. The article was approved 73-59 by secret ballot.
Sarah Wilcox was sworn in as new town clerk/tax collector by Select Board member Carole Monroe. Wilcox then administered the oath of office to the newly elected officials.