ASHFIELD — Voters will be asked to weigh in on five warrant articles, including paying off the rest of the town’s debt from a fire truck purchase and setting aside money to buy a generator for Town Hall and the neighboring Fire Station, during a Dec. 2 Special Town Meeting.

Town Administrator Paul McLatchy III said the articles on the warrant, to be discussed starting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, are fairly simple and are not expected to prove controversial.

At Annual Town Meeting in 2023, voters approved having the town borrow up to $300,000 to buy a new fire truck. Ultimately, the town borrowed $260,000. As of the end of fiscal year 2024 in June, the town had paid $160,000, leaving a remaining balance of $100,000, plus $3,450 in interest.

Since only $260,000 was borrowed, the town still has another $40,000 in borrowing authority. In Article 3, voters will be asked to rescind the approval for that $40,000 so it can be removed from the town’s annual report to the state.

Subsequently, in Article 4, voters will decide whether to approve a payment of $103,450 to pay off the remaining debt.

Similarly, residents will be asked to rescind borrowing authority for the lake dam project in Article 2.

At Annual Town Meeting in 2020, voters approved having the town borrow up to $250,000 to cover Ashfield Lake Dam maintenance and repairs. The town received a $875,000 grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, allowing the project to be completed without the town taking on any debt. Voters are now being asked to rescind that borrowing authority.

In addition, in Article 5, voters will consider whether to support the appropriation of $60,000 to buy a generator for Town Hall and the Fire Station. A generator was originally on the fiscal year 2025 budget presented to voters in May, but was cut to create a more balanced budget.

“I think people will be excited to support Town Hall improvements and getting a generator,” McLatchy said.

The town is also seeking voter approval to transfer the remaining $77,891 from the Septic Repair Program Fund to a new Wastewater Treatment Capital Repair/Replacement Account. In recent weeks, the Selectboard has been discussing what do with the remaining balance of the Septic Repair Program Fund, as the program has not been active in years. Furthermore, the fund only contains enough money to support the septic repair needs of one resident.

Selectboard members agreed that putting the money into a new Wastewater Treatment Capital Repair/Replacement Account would be a better use of the money and they are bringing the decision to voters in Article 1. The facility, which was built in 1996, is reaching an age where the town will have to start planning for repairs, upgrades and eventual replacement.

To view the full Special Town Meeting warrant, visit ashfield.org/DocumentCenter/View/10493/December-2-2024-Special-Town-Meeting-Warrant.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.