BERNARDSTON — Residents will convene Monday to consider the 40 articles on the Annual Town Meeting warrant, including a series of vehicle replacements and a citizen’s petition expressing concern over rising tax rates.

The meeting will be held at The Farm Table’s events barn, located at 219 South St., starting at 7 p.m.

Passing Article 24 would transfer $59,420 from the town’s Vehicle Stabilization Account to help the Police Department buy a new 2024 Dodge Durango. This cruiser would replace the department’s current Ford Interceptor, which Police Chief James Palmeri said is 10 years old.

“We usually replace [police cruisers] at the eight-year mark, per our cruiser replacement plan with the town…,” Palmeri said, “but try to push a little further when we can.”

Article 26, also pertaining to law enforcement funding, would authorize Palmeri and the Selectboard to apply for the federal COPS Hiring Program, which Kelly said would allow the department to add another full-time position that would be 75% funded for the first three years.

A second transfer from the Vehicle Stabilization Account in the amount of $163,000 would help pay for a new backhoe for the Highway Department, per Article 25.

“It is a piece of equipment that our Highway Department uses pretty much on a daily basis,” Town Coordinator Karen Kelly said. “The one we have now is 24 years old so we’re looking to replace it.”

Kelly also mentioned the possibility of passing a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion in the amount of $987,000 to replace the Fire Department’s KME pumper. Kelly added that the town has also applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant in the amount of $990,000 for a new fire truck.

“It’s not like we’re just asking to borrow [money],” she said. “We’re trying to see what else we can do ... but right now those are the two things cooking.”

Since this pumper is about 24 years old, “it’s on its cycle of being replaced,” she added.

Voters will also consider a citizen’s petition put forward by resident Kathy Willor, who requests that the town lower its “recent outrageous property tax hike.” Although the petition doesn’t specify a dollar amount, Willor further states that this request is “needed to prevent hardships for people on Social Security, disability and also the working people of this town. The property tax hike is equal to a month’s income for some people.”

The current property tax rate for Bernardston is $16.34 per $1,000 valuation, according to Kelly. In fiscal year 2023, the tax rate was $15.99 per $1,000 valuation and in FY22 it was $17.20 per $1,000 valuation. The highest rate within the last few years came in FY20 when the tax rate was at $18.59 per $1,000 valuation.

“I’m really glad that the citizen’s petition is on there because it’ll be a great opportunity to explain how towns, how municipalities come up with some of these,” Kelly said. “I think the citizen’s petition for the tax rate will generate a good conversation on the floor.”

Replacing the existing dog bylaw, adopting a tag sale bylaw and amending the unregistered motor vehicle bylaw will also be considered. Other articles involve a citizen’s petition to amend the definition of a restaurant, buying a new playground structure at Bernardston Elementary School, putting $22,000 in free cash toward culvert replacements, allocating $15,000 in free cash toward slate roof repairs on town-owned buildings, and authorizing the Selectboard to seek special legislation that would allow it to appoint an associate member to the Board of Health who would serve as a voting member when a full member is unable to vote.

To view the full warrant and budget breakdown, visit bit.ly/3WgSR2f.