Residents of New Salem are set to participate in a Special Town Meeting on January 12, 2025, to confirm the results of the town’s election held on May 5, 2025. This meeting comes after the realization that the election was not properly announced, violating state law requirements regarding notification periods.
Article 14 on the meeting’s warrant seeks to validate all votes cast during the election, stating that residents will ratify the results “notwithstanding any defects or omissions in the calling of said annual town election.” State Representative Aaron Saunders has filed legislation to support the validation process, emphasizing that such issues, while unfortunate, can occur. He noted, “Things like this happen from time to time. [The legislation] is dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”
The oversight stemmed from the failure to post the election notice at least seven days in advance, as mandated by legal standards. Fortunately, the election had no contested races, overrides, or debt exclusions, simplifying the resolution process.
Budget Stabilization for Highway Department
The Special Town Meeting will also address several financial matters concerning the Highway Department. Superintendent Colin Killay has proposed eight articles aimed at stabilizing the department’s budget. He stated, “They’re all important. We need this money to kind of get us through the end of the [fiscal] year.”
Among the key budget items, Article 2 requests $83.10 to cover a prior year’s bill for uniforms for the department’s three employees. Other proposed transfers from free cash amount to a total of $53,792, which include funds for essential repairs and maintenance. These allocations encompass $20,000 for repairing a 2016 F-750 truck, $2,661 for a 2008 John Deere loader, and $8,500 for hot mix asphalt for road maintenance, among others.
Killay, who took on his role after serving as a consultant for various municipalities, expressed confidence that the community will support the necessary funding. A meet and greet with Killay is scheduled to take place at the New Salem Public Library preceding the meeting, commencing at 17:30.
Additional Financial Proposals
Beyond the Highway Department, the warrant includes provisions for transferring $20,000 from free cash to cover legal consultation and court fees, $4,902 for property insurance bills with the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, and $1,000 to hire an animal inspector.
For those looking to review the complete list of articles on the warrant, the information is available online at tinyurl.com/NewSalemSTM2026. The Special Town Meeting represents a crucial opportunity for residents to address these important matters and ensure the smooth operation of local governance.
