Sunderland Select Board Tackles Voting Age Proposal and Budget Concerns

Overview: The Sunderland Select Board has taken a step forward in potentially lowering the voting age for local elections to 16, amidst discussions on budgetary allocations and zoning bylaw changes. The recent meeting saw the board deliberate on a citizen petition advocating for youth participation in politics, which could lead to a resolution at the town meeting. The board also grappled with the allocation of $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and addressed a budget gap, deferring the vote on proposed articles and the operating budget to allow for more research and information gathering.

Sunderland Select Board Tackles Budget Shortfall and Infrastructure Needs

Overview: In a recent Sunderland Select Board meeting, members confronted a challenging $240,000 budget gap, deliberating on various strategies to bridge the shortfall. The board weighed the potential of not hiring a new full-time police officer and adjusting employee health insurance benefits as cost-saving measures. Additionally, the use of funds from the general stabilization fund was discussed as a means to address financial deficits. The board also considered a one-time 2% wage adjustment for long-term employees and examined the variability in departmental fuel and utility costs.