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Otis annual town meeting preview

By Amanda Burke

Otis annual town meeting preview

Town meeting: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Otis Town Hall/Community Center, 1 North Main Road.

Town election: May 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Town Hall. Tree Warden John "Jack" Conboy is being challenged by Derek Poirier, who is also the town highway superintendent. Tree wardens are charged with managing the maintenance or removal of shade trees on public land.

Susan Bauer-Brofman is the only candidate on the ballot running for a three-year term on the Finance Board. However, she faces a write-in challenge from Lisamarie D'Orazio, who currently sits on the Finance Board.

TOP ISSUES AT TOWN MEETING: The warrant includes a proposed operating budget of $6,748,593.11 which includes $2,634,799.66 for education funding. Voters will also consider:

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* Purchasing the Otis Poultry Farm property for $500,000. The sprawling country store with a 121-year-old legacy in town closed its doors last month after searching in vain for a buyer for over a decade. But members of the Select Board recently declared their intent to purchase the iconic North Main Road property.

Business Otis Poultry Farm to close after more than a century of pot pies, groceries and, of course, eggs By Maryjane Williams, The Berkshire Eagle 2 min to read

In a letter to the community dated April 15, the Select Board wrote the acquisition would preserve a historic town landmark, protect a public water supply and could potentially serve as the location of affordable housing in the future.

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Members also said the property may let the town expand "vital community programs" like a food pantry and programming for senior citizens and recreation. The price was also a factor -- once listed at $995,000, the town is proposing to buy it at about half that amount. The current sticker cost is now "within current available Town reserves," the Select Board wrote.

* Borrowing $3.8 million for the construction of a 4,800-square-foot addition to the highway garage for vehicle and equipment storage and maintenance, and to improve safety compliance. The average homeowner would pay about $160 more in taxes if the proposal passes.

* Appropriating $500,000 to design, construct and/or repair the Town Hall roof.

* Acquiring certain land parcels to allow for the replacement of failing culverts on Reservoir Road that handle outflow from the Otis Reservoir dam to ensure the town's stormwater infrastructure can handle major rain events.

-- Amanda Burke

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