By Kathy Dickinson
Despite the rain, well over a hundred residents participated in the ATM on May 9 held at the Becket Washington School (BWS). In little more than two hours, registered voters considered, discussed, and voted on all 24 articles included in the warrant. 23 articles passed either unanimously or by a simple majority; only one failed to pass.
Before getting into warrant details, there were acknowledgments and thanks to several town employees who have served the town and are retiring this year: Barbara Craft-Reiss spoke on behalf of the BWS administration, recognizing Principal Mary Kay McCloskey. Selectman Chris Swindlehurst thanked Ken Bilodeau, Tax Collector, and Christine Bleau, Treasurer. He additionally acknowledged and thanked all the volunteers who keep the town running, with special note to the Becket Fire Department.
Among the approved articles, the most significant expenditure items were:
- Article 2 FY 2027 Operating Budget, which at $8,156,645 represents a 5.1% increase over FY 2026 and includes General Government, Public Safety, Education, Forestry, Highway Department, Transfer Station, Health and Human Services, Community Services, and Benefits
- Article 10 Ambulance Budget (for salaries and expenses), which at $764,910 represents a 7.3% increase over FY 2026
- Article 12 Purchase of Ambulance for $608,000
Also passed and worth noting:
- Articles 16 – 18 related to Community Preservation Committee recommendations for $22,000 to fund a dog park feasibility study, $30,000 to support the replacement of the Becket Athenaeum roof, and a $23,114 reallocation of previously approved funds to build a small structure at the North Becket Village Park to house the copper dome from the original Becket Consolidated School.
- Article 13 Purchase of a Police Cruiser for $103,570
Failed to pass after lengthy discussion:
- Article 20 Local Option Meals Excise Tax of .75% of gross receipts of the vendor from the sale of restaurant meals: Even though 75% of towns in Berkshire County have adopted this tax, opposition was voiced from attendees involved in local food and beverage establishments as well as residents concerned with rising costs.
For residents unable to attend the meeting but interested in more details, ATM documents can be found by clicking here (or from the townofbecket.org home page, go to the Town Meetings Calendar, and click on May 9).
