Brookfield to hold special, annual town meetings June 18

By Ruth M. Lyon

Turley Publications Reporter

BROOKFIELD - This town will hold back-to-back town meetings on June 18.

A seven-article special town meeting warrant has been posted, to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the elementary school.

The first article seeks to correct a vote taken at the 1985 annual town meeting, in which a scenic road designation was listed thusly: East Main St., commencing at the junction of East Main St. and North Brookfield Road and continuing to the East Brookfield town line….”

Article 1 on the special town meeting warrant seeks to change the wording on that portion of the article to (last six words above) “Continuing to the North Brookfield town line…”

Article 2 seeks to transfer $2,300 or the entire balance of the vault account to the town hall improvement account. This, the selectmen explain, will allow those funds to be utilized by the town hall improvement committee toward barrier removal or other necessary work.

The remaining special town meeting articles are routine transfers within departments.

Annual town meeting to convene June 18 at 7 p.m. (following special town meeting).

The first several articles are articles included in annual meeting warrants every year, and are sometimes voted as a block. They authorize the selectmen to conduct routine business, such as borrowing money, foreclosing on property, selling foreclosed property or obsolete equipment, obtain and expend grants, and authorize a member of the board of health to appoint one of its members to positions overseen by that board.

Articles 9 and 10 seek to establish revolving funds for the local access committee and the board of health for percolation tests and related functions. The finance committee has listed “no position on article 9.

Three articles deal with cemetery funds and cemetery commission regulations; articles 13, 14, and 15 deal with ambulance account transfers.

Article 17 seeks to raise and appropriate, transfer or borrow money for the town hall improvement account.

Other repair articles include sums for fire station repairs and highway, road, bridge and sidewalk repairs.

Article 24 explores the subject of the development and execution of a historic landscape design and preservation plan for the town common and mall.

Article 27 seeks to adopt a new general bylaw allowing the selectmen to establish a citizen’s committee to be called the Agricultural Commission of 10 members. Its mission, according to the warrant, is to promote agricultural-based economic opportunities in town and to preserve, revitalize and sustain the town’s agricultural history.

Of interest to seniors is article 28, which seeks to reduce accrued interest on property taxes deferred by eligible seniors from 8 percent to 4 percent.

The finance committee has approved all articles with the exception of the “no position” on article 9.