Community Corner

Chilmark Voters To Debate $7 Million Budget

The annual town meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Chilmark Community Center.

Chilmark town voters will meet this evening to debate a 37-article warrant and a $7 million budget at the Annual Town Meeting. The meeting will take place at 7:30 in the .

The warrant includes a variety of spending appropriations concerning, among other things, affordable housing, general maintenance and the funding of police and fire resources.

Voters will be asked to approve the transfer of $220,000 from the Fire Department Stabilization Fund to purchase a new fire tanker. Another article asks voters to transfer $32,165.00 from available funds to purchase a Ford Expedition 4x4 for the police department. If passed, two articles would set aside funds for the maintenance of the Chilmark Community Center. The town is also seeking to appropriate $20,000 to expand and continue the Chilmark Housing Year-Round Rental Conversion Program.

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All spending articles have been recommended by the finance advisory committee.

Of the few non-spending-related articles, one asks voters to approve changes to a zoning bylaw regarding tennis courts and swimming pools. If approved, homeowners would need to obtain special permits from the zoning board of appeals to build such amenities. Homeowners would not be able to file for permits until they have lived at their residence for two years. If passed as written, the bylaw would also allow for the installation of heated pools in Chilmark—provided that the pools are heated by solar or alternative energy.

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The final article of the evening asks voters to approve a wide-ranging personnel bylaw.

Chilmark town elections will take place Wednesday, April 27 from noon to 8 p.m. There are no contested races.


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