SOUTH DEERFIELD — Recently closed South Deerfield Congregational Church wants to gift its building to the town for a new senior center, a proposition that needs to be accepted by town residents at this year’s annual town meeting — one of 32 articles on this year’s warrant approved by the Select Board Monday afternoon.

If the town accepts the 71 North Main St. building gift, South County Senior Center will move next door into the former church. Then town officials intend to renovate the center’s current 67 North Main St. building for subsidized senior housing units.

An informational meeting about the warrant, which will include discussion about the gift and other items on the agenda, will be held April 19 at 6:45 p.m., five days before the annual town meeting.

“It’s really important that people be informed about how we spend their money prior to the meeting, so we can make adjustments,” Select Board Chair Carolyn Shores Ness said after the board voted Monday, noting that there’s nothing else too significant on the warrant.

Besides the church’s proposal, voters will be asked to consider a proposed lease agreement with South County EMS for town-owned land adjacent to the fire station. The local EMS provider intends to build a new building there, which Deerfield Academy has said it will pay for.

Other items include a request for $22,500, from the town’s “free cash” account, “to pay for the recently-negotiated police department collective bargaining agreement.”

There’s also a proposition to change bylaws and technical aspects of zoning requirements, including one to add a revolving fund account to be used by various town departments, boards and committees, and various others asking to appropriate funding for yearly maintenance and other necessary town functions.

Finally, the town will vote to accept the coming year’s budget, which still needs to be finalized by town officials.

For more information, attend the informational meeting or visit the town’s website for a full copy of the warrant.

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