By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Grafton – Grafton voters approved a budget of $50,747,109 at the Annual Town Meeting May 11.
Group Health Insurance for Unclassified Town Personnel was budgeted at $3,708,925, down from $3,876,121 the previous year. The Grafton Council on Aging listed year’s expenses at $179,741, up from the previous year’s $173,897. Retirement of Debt was to be $2,315,000, up from last year’s $2,237,000, and Debt Interest was $1,431,275, down from $1,535,463. The budget was passed with little dissent.
Of the total budget, expenses for the town’s schools will be budgeted at $30,242,955, or, 59.6 percent of the total. This amount came with the caution that the outlook is for ever tighter future funding by the state. For the next three years, estimates are for town budget shortfalls are, respectively, of $300,000, $450,000, and $500,000, with ever decreasing state aid. In response, the Board of Selectmen urged the way capital projects are funded by the previous year’s excess must change. Voters were encouraged to support future joint meetings between the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee to continue work on town funding, including future operational overrides. State Representative David Muradian (R-Grafton) rose briefly to tell voters that he was involved in trying to get a higher level of state aid restored for Grafton.
Of the 42 articles on the warrant, Article 18, involving the sale of real property, was passed over. Article 20, involving lease of property for a water pumping station at Powerline Drive, failed to get the two thirds majority vote required. Similarly, Article 22, which would have created an easement plan for property at 48 Brigham Hill Road, also failed to gain a two thirds majority vote in favor. The remaining articles were passed.