Town Meeting: Grafton voters reject library proposal

Published: 03-17-2023 11:48 PM

GRAFTON — In Town Meeting Day ballot voting, voters rejected, 182-175, a petitioned article, not supported by the Selectboard or Budget Committee, that would have appropriated $210,000 for the first phase of a new library at 2 Library Road.

Voters also rejected, 195-147, an article supported by the Selectboard that would have rescinded an article from 2014 that gave the library trustees the ability to expend from the Library Capital Reserve Fund.

In other no votes, voters rejected, 184-153, an article recommended by the Selectboard that would have changed the police chief’s position to an appointed post beginning in 2024.

Also rejected, in a vote of 199-148, was a petitioned article that would have required building notifications for occupied buildings that are permanently fixed to the ground, but not for mobile or temporary structures.

Voters approved the budget of $1.29 million, which was up from $1.19 million last year. They also approved spending $263,000 for a 2023 Braun Ambulance, as well as $40,000 for the Fire Department Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund, $75,000 for the Highway Department Capital Reserve Fund and $60,000 for road paving.

Jennie Joyce won a three-way race for one one-year seat on the Grafton Selectboard. Joyce had 163 votes to 82 for Maureen O’Reilly and David Hunter’s 78.

Elected officials:

Number of voters: n/a

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