SUNDERLAND — Residents at annual Town Meeting approved the entire warrant, including joining the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District and designating the town as a “safe community.”
Gathered outside behind the Town Offices, citizens approved an article that opted the town into a regional mosquito control district that would spray insecticide in only designated areas. This measure allows the town to opt out of a program offered through the state Department of Agricultural Resources that would target the entire town with aerial spraying.
Select Board Chairman Tom Fydenkevez said joining the Pioneer Valley Mosquito Control District would allow the town to collect and monitor mosquitoes and take action if they are found to be carrying diseases such as Zika or Eastern equine encephalitis.
“By opting out (of the state’s program), it allowed us better control to share data with the community. … We want anything done in our community to be based on data,” Fydenkevez said.
Residents also approved a citizen’s petition declaring the town to be a “safe community,” meaning Sunderland police officers cannot function as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
“The citizens of Sunderland would like you to know that no matter where you’re from, if you are a resident, or visitor, or are just passing through town, you are welcome here,” the petition reads. “Sunderland police shall not act as immigration officers and will not honor non-criminal, civil immigration detainer requests. In all interactions with Sunderland law enforcement and town employees, you will be treated with respect.”
Jessica Corwin, who was called on by the moderator to explain the citizen’s petition, and Police Chief Erik Demetropoulos said the proposal would not affect any current police operations.
The budget for fiscal 2022 was approved at roughly $9 million, a 2.78% increase from the current year.
The town also approved $200,000 for the construction of a new playground at Sunderland Elementary School, but Principal Ben Barshefsky said the school may not need all the funds if grants are approved.