4 housekeeping items approved in swift Whately Special Town Meeting

WHATELY — A handful of residents swiftly approved the four housekeeping items on the Special Town Meeting warrant during a brief recess in the Selectboard’s Tuesday meeting.

In less than 10 minutes, voters approved each of the articles with little discussion, thus paying two outstanding bills from the prior fiscal year, reallocating money to offset Water Department expenses and authorizing the Selectboard to enter into a contract for a solar array on the Town Offices.

While there was little discussion, Planning Board member Brant Cheikes asked why Article 4 was placed on the Special Town Meeting warrant, rather than coming before voters at Annual Town Meeting in a few weeks. Article 4 allows the Selectboard to enter negotiations for the operation and maintenance of a Town Offices solar array.

The town recently issued a Request for Proposals for the installation of a solar array on the Town Offices at 4 Sandy Lane, and Selectboard Chair Joyce Palmer-Fortune explained that bringing Article 4 to voters at Special Town Meeting will allow the town to enter negotiations with a contractor as soon as possible.

Voters unanimously approved all four articles, including transferring $4,232 and $99 from available funds to pay Morton Salt Inc. for road salt and to pay WB Mason Co. for office supplies. Article 3 transferred $20,000, which was originally set aside for a Water Department generator, to offset costs incurred from state Department of Environmental Protection requirements.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.

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