Selectmen vote for a special election
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

In a 2-1 vote, selectmen voted to schedule a special election for an override election in August to determine if the school district will be able to fund their re-certified budget.

Selectman Christopher Gagnon voted against the override, saying that he did not hear public support for the second attempt for the funding. An override of Proposition 2 ½ to fund the school budget failed on June 12 in both Ashburnham and Westminster. The Regional School Committee recertified the school district operating budget at a lower figure and has asked selectmen in both communities to fund the new budget - both towns have decided to seek an override again.

"I can't support two votes for the same question even if there's a lower amount," Gagnon said. "I am not in support of a second attempt."

The lower budget of $27,555,571 will be divided between the two towns based on their student population. Ashburnham's override would be $313,687.

Chairman of the Board Mark Carlisle supported the attempt because he said the residents need to stand together if all of these teaching positions and programs are cut in the district. He said he was making the decision for "selfish reasons."

"I don't want to solely have any of that on my back," he said. "I want the town to share in this decision."

Carlisle asked the Regional School Committee look at ways to cut medical insurance and at the salary issues as part of the negotiations.

The issue of the ongoing negotiations between the teacher's union and the Regional School Committee was also a major point for Selectman Jonathan Dennehy. He was upset there haven't been discussions of eliminating the money budgeted for potential raises.

"It hasn't even been discussed," he said.

Dennehy spoke out against the second override attempt but said he didn't want to hold the responsibility of the next step on his own if there is no election.

"I'm not willing to give the people who are short-sighted material to make a scapegoat out of this board," he said.

He said to be fiscally responsible the School Committee and the administration has to be able to create a budget within the rules of Proposition 2 ½.

"They have passed budgets that are unsustainable," said Dennehy. "No one is surprised that we are here."

After seeking legal opinions from town council as well as the state departments

NEWS of revenue and education, it was determined that a special town meeting was not necessary. After the meeting Carlisle said the special town meeting isn't necessary because the large amount was appropriated at the annual town meeting in May so smaller amount can be spent if approved at the ballot.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 14. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at John R. Briggs Elementary School on Williams Road.

Westminster selectmen are expected to discuss the issue at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, July 9. They are expected to also schedule a special election on Tuesday, Aug. 14.

In other business:

+ Selectmen announced they have asked Fire Chief Paul Zbikowski to develop a policy on how the fire department will determine whose basements will be or won't be pumped out if flooding occurs.