HAWLEY — With a small decrease in the town assessment for education and $15,000 for a brush mower representing the largest capital expense, town officials suspect Annual Town Meeting will be a quick process on Monday.

The meeting, which will include discussion of 25 warrant articles, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Town Office.

Voters will decide on the $592,833 operating budget and $604,659 school budget for fiscal year 2024, which represent changes of 6.57% and -2.86%, respectively, compared to the current year’s figures.

“Hawley was lucky this year,” Selectboard member Hussain Hamdan said about the school budget, which has remained low due to pandemic relief funding.

The operating budget sees small increases in various departments — including technology expenses — that have fully relied on volunteer labor until recently. There is also an increase in anticipated repairs for the Fire Department.

Hamdan noted that because Hawley has entered into a contract with Adams Ambulance Service, emergency medical services expenses have remained stable.

One warrant article involves using $15,000 from free cash to buy a brush mower. As this is the largest capital expense this year, the town is putting aside money for future expenses. Residents will vote on putting $30,000 into the Highway Department Stabilization Fund, with Hamdan pointing out that the loader might need to be replaced in the next few years.

“Hawley has a long track record of putting money aside when we are not seeing a tax increase,” Hamdan said.

The Finance Committee also added an article to reduce the tax levy by using $50,000 from free cash.

Residents will also vote on a citizen’s petition declaring the town’s support for changing the state flag and seal. This will be a symbolic vote, with action from the state government needed. According to Hamdan, the petition was first brought to the Selectboard by a non-resident, who was instructed to get the petition on the warrant with the signatures of 10 registered voters.

“Voters can do whatever they want with it,” he said.

To view the full 25-article warrant, visit bit.ly/41aNcJQ.

Reach Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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