Buckland voters say 'no' to pot fines; table Mohawk merger

[ Originally published on: Thursday, June 18, 2009 ]

BUCKLAND -- About 91 annual town meeting voters Wednesday night approved a $3.5 million budget for the budget year that begins July 1.

After lengthy debate, they ultimately defeated a proposal to set a $300 fine for marijuana use anywhere in public. Buckland Police Chief James Hicks said the proposed bylaw would serve as a deterrent, especially since the state has recently decriminalized possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

Those residents who spoke against the measure said they thought the law would circumvent the state's recent decriminalization. Another question was whether the town would have the resources to take someone to court if they contested it.

An amendment to decrease the first and second marijuana use penalties received a tie vote, which meant the amendment was defeated.

A vote was tabled on the Mohawk Trail Regional School's regional agreement change that would enable Hawlemont and Mohawk districts to merge.

The Finance Committee and celectmen recommended not acting on the school issue until more is known about the state's efforts to consolidate school systems, and on how Hawlemont's joining the district would affect Buckland and other towns.

The approved budget could raise the tax rate by up to 46 cents per $1,000 valuation. The budget is 2 percent lower overall than the current town budget; however, state local aid for the coming year is expected to be reduced by 35 percent, or $130,496, below this year's level.

Voters said ''yes'' to the following articles:

u $175,000 for a large dump truck, with plow and wing-plow, to replace the town's 1988 dump truck.

u $101,000 for a smaller dump truck, with plow and wing-plow. Highway Superintendent Steve Daby said the vehicles with the wing plows will cut the number of trips needed to plow each road in half.

u $29,300 for a new police cruiser to replace the 2000 Victoria Crown with 100,000 miles on it. Currently only one of the town cruisers is in good running order.

u $10,000 for legal, consulting and engineering fees related to the construction of a new Public Works and Public Safety Facility. The town has needed a new town garage since the old one was condemned as structurally unsound, and both the highway and police departments need a facility where vehicles can be stored in a garage. Selectmen said they are looking at sites for such a facility.

Voters also agreed to approve a statute that will enable the town clerk, as a town-elected employee, to be eligible for workers compensation, if needed.

 

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