LEVERETT — A request for Community Preservation Act money to park and nature trail narrowly won approval at Saturday’s annual Town Meeting, where 150 residents passed all 30 articles on the warrant.

In addition to the controversial CPA request, voters also approved a $7.17 million budget for fiscal 2024, representing a 4.9% increase from this year’s budget, part of which included increasing the fire chief’s position to full time.

One of the most controversial votes involved setting aside $82,082 in CPA funds for the Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill to use for a Heritage Park and Nature Trail on nearly 5 acres of land next to the historic Slarrow Mill. The funding request narrowly passed, with 58 votes in favor and 46 opposed.

The project will create three parking spots, a pavilion and trails (including handicap-accessible options).

“This is a great project for the town,” argued Sidney Poritz, a member of the Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill. “This is something worth saving.”

Several residents, including abutter Kathy Stoddard, opposed the idea, saying not enough advance planning has been done and the Friends group is not open to the public. Residents also expressed concerns about a lack of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant paths and parking spaces.

Members of the Friends explained that they are a nonprofit that welcomes new members, and they plan to ensure there are accessible parking spots and a path that wheelchairs can use as much as the topography will allow.

Fire Department salaries

In its budget proposal, the Fire Department requested increasing the chief’s hours from 24 to 40 per week. With the change having been informed by two studies, the town planned on changing the job incrementally. Last fiscal year, the chief was offered benefits and this year, the position was set to increase in hours.

After presenting this major budget increase during a budget hearing, however, Fire Chief Brian Cook was told he did not follow procedure and he should approach the Personnel Committee to ask about the change in hours. The proposal was then brought to the Select Board, which voted 2-1 in favor of increasing the position’s hours.

“I don’t think we should punish someone or not institute a service that we need because of a procedure issue,” Select Board member Melissa Colbert said.

Voters ultimately approved the increase in hours, and Select Board members said they would be more explicit about expectations from department heads in the future.

Also passed at Saturday’s meeting was the appropriation of $81,000 for Kestrel Land Trust to purchase and conserve 91 acres of land located between Depot and Long Hill roads, to be known as the Heronemus Forest Conservation Project. Residents were concerned that this land would take away space for the development of housing, especially affordable housing. Abutter Sarah Dolven said that despite initial thoughts, the land is not developable and has been for sale on the general market for years.

Two citizen’s petitions were also passed. One creates an Indigenous history, culture and land acknowledgement that would be read at the start of all Town Meetings. The other petitions the state Legislature to allow for permanent noncitizen residents to be able to vote in Leverett elections and Town Meetings, and serve on elected municipal boards and committees.

Election

The day’s proceedings commenced with a custom unique to Leverett in which the town election is staged from the floor of Town Meeting. Candidates for office, both incumbents and newcomers, are nominated and voted by those in attendance. In the event that there are contested races for any seats, paper ballots are distributed.

The results of the election are as follows: Cynthia Baldwin and Lizzie Alwan for Board of Health (three years), Isaiah Robinson and Jed Proujansky for Finance Committee (three years), Molly Daniel for Planning Board (five years), Annalise Olsen for School Committee (three years), Cat Ford for Board of Assessors (three years), Chris Condit and Joan Godsey for library trustees (three years), constable John Swartz (three years) and Tom Hankinson for Selectboard (three years). There were no contested races.

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