SHUTESBURY — After back-and -forth discussion at Saturday’s annual Town Meeting regarding using more free cash to reduce property tax bills — a strategy the town used last year — voters ultimately approved a $6.63 million budget.
Voters at the session, held in the field behind Town Hall, also authorized the town applying for a library construction grant and petitioning the Legislature to advance a law creating a property tax exemption for eligible Shutesbury seniors.
Aside from a lengthy discussion on the budget, voters passed by majority an article authorizing the Select Board and/or the library trustees to apply for a grant through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program’s Small Library Pilot Project to help pay for design and construction of a new library.
M.N. Spear Memorial Library Director Mary Anne Antonellis said this is a project the town has been discussing since 1995 and saving for — over $500,000 now — since 2012, when a Proposition 2½ debt-exclusion for an earlier project was defeated, 522-520.
“The library has been such a hub of community for my children, for me,” said resident Suzanne Palmer, citing its various programs like author talks, ice cream socials and fitness classes. “The fact that we manage all that with a library that small with no running water is a testament to how much everyone here cares about the library, and how much we could do with a library with running water and bathrooms.”
Planning Board member Jeff Lacy encouraged acting quickly. “Let’s get going,” Lacy said. “If we’re the first in the door with the (Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners), more power to us.”
Following suit of nearly 20 other Massachusetts communities, voters approved petitioning the Legislature to advance a law creating a property tax exemption for eligible Shutesbury seniors.
Administrative Assessor Kevin Rudden explained there are two state tax exemptions available to seniors at $400 and $1,000. Should the law pass in the Legislature, the Select Board could offer an additional 50% to 200% of the senior circuit breaker tax credit, adding between $575 and $2,300 to this benefit.
All 29 articles passed, including spending $254,100 to replace the Shutesbury Elementary School roof, along with up for $200,000 for HVAC control system upgrades if grants aren’t available; a proposal to hire a consultant to provide suggestions on connecting the trail systems between the Southbrook Conservation Area and Town Beach Conservation Area; and spending $20,000 from the Open Space/Recreation Fund to create a community garden behind Town Hall.
