Town Meeting preview: Plainfield
Published: 03-03-2024 10:42 AM |
Article of note: A school article asks whether voters support the creation of a planning committee to explore creating a collaborative district with the Cornish School District. A separate school article asks whether voters support creating a Middle School Consolidation Study Committee to consider collaborating with Cornish to educate students in grades 6 to 8, including the possibility of consolidating students into one school. A town article includes changes to the town’s zoning ordinance that would clarify opportunities for renewable energy and enhance opportunities for additional housing. Another town article would authorize the Selectboard to enter into a contract for the collection of household trash and recycling.
Contested races: There are no contested Selectboard or School Board races this year.
Budgets and spending articles: The proposed school operating budget is $8.5 million, which is up from last year’s proposal of $7.8 million. Separate school articles ask whether voters approve the cost of new bargaining agreements with teachers and support staff. The first year of the new teachers contract is expected to cost $187,000 and the first year of the support staff agreement is expected to cost $67,000. The proposed town operating budget is $3 million, up from $2.7 million last year.
When, where and how to vote: Ballot voting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 12 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Plainfield School gym. The annual school meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at 9 a.m. in the school gym. Town Meeting is at 1 p.m. also in the school gym.