NEW SALEM — Voters made quick work of a Special Town Meeting warrant on Tuesday, unanimously adopting 10 articles in 16 minutes.

Twenty-five residents convened in the Town Hall Annex at 24 South Main St. and gave their blessing to all articles, most of which pertained to unpaid bills from previous years. Moderator Cameron Dunbar said the session’s brief duration indicates how smoothly the process can unfold.

“It’s just efficient,” he said. “It’s an efficient meeting and it shows … [the] knowledge of the people who are here, as to how the process works. I mean, Town Meeting is a parliamentary treasure.”

Three of the articles had to do with $1,491, $1,615 and $8.99 bills owed by the New Salem Fire Department. A couple of the others pertained to an unpaid $2,250 cemetery bill and an unpaid $1,800 Tree Committee bill. Dunbar explained state law requires a nine-tenths majority to adopt any Special Town Meeting warrant article regarding unpaid bills.

Voters also adopted an article authorizing their Selectboard to petition the state Legislature to pass a bill allowing Fire Chief Joe Cuneo to serve until age 70, his retirement or his non-reappointment, whichever occurs first. Public safety employees are required by state law to retire by age 65 unless an act of the state Legislature allows them more time on the job.

Cuneo has been chief in New Salem since 2008 and in Wendell since 2014. He holds each part-time position independently of the other. Cuneo has said he is unsure when he will retire, but he will turn 65 in October. Wendell voters adopted a similar article at their town Special Town Meeting earlier this month.

Residents also adopted articles to establish a Capital Stabilization Fund for the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District and another to establish a Special Education Stabilization Fund.

Constable Andrew Ohlson mentioned quorum for New Salem is nine people.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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