GOSHEN – Voters in Goshen approved funding for a new metal roof for the New Hingham Regional Elementary School and three new vehicles for town departments as well as next year’s fiscal budget of approximately $2.9 million at the annual Town Meeting on Monday.
Voters spent a considerable part of the meeting discussing two options to replace the failing roof at the elementary school where tarps are currently protecting the building from faulty, disintegrating shingles.
One article asked voters to approve $440,000 in borrowing by the Chesterfield-Goshen Regional School Committee for a new shingle roof, while another proposed borrowing $800,000 for a metal roof.
Goshen’s share for the new roof would be half of the full expense and the Finance Committee and Select Board both supported the less expensive shingle roof.
Finance Committee Chairwoman Dawn Scaparotti said that the boards favored funding the shingle roof over the more expensive metal roof, because the town is also facing significant capital expenses in the near future, including funding for broadband.
Several voters, however, spoke in favor of a metal roof saying that it would be far more durable and be a better choice for the long term.
The proposal for the shingle roof failed by a vote of 38-35, while funding for a new metal roof passed by a majority vote. The capital project will be contingent upon a Proposition 2 1/2 override. Of the town’s 743 registered voters, 79 attended the meeting.
Voters also unanimously approved the following purchases: $55,000 for a new all-wheel-drive utility vehicle to replace the department’s 2010 Ford Crown Victoria; $33,000 for a Ford F350 3/4-ton pick-up truck for the Highway Department to replace a 1986 military surplus pick-up truck; $51,000 for new SUV for the Fire Department to replace a 2007 Ford Explorer; and $21,000 to purchase three digital portable radios for the Police Department.
Voters also approved $40,000 to demolish an uninhabitable structure that was taken by the town by tax title. The building is located at 149 South Chesterfield Road and will be demolished unless a qualified bidder buys the property.
The fiscal year 2020 budget, which begins July 1, represents a $93,332 increase over the town’s current $2.8 million budget.