SUNDERLAND — As part of a 23-article warrant, residents will consider Community Preservation Act funding for Riverside Park and the First Congregational Church, alongside various capital projects, at Friday’s annual Town Meeting.

The meeting will be held at Sunderland Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. Residents will consider a $10.24 million budget for fiscal 2024, which is a roughly 9%, or $844,518, increase from the current year.

Town Administrator Geoff Kravitz said the budget increase is being driven by increased staffing needs, such as a new position at Sunderland Elementary, a part-time staff member in the Town Offices, additional fire and police clerk hours, and a deputy fire chief stipend. Additionally, the town buttoned up its budget during the pandemic due to economic uncertainty and it is now at a point where it needs to return to normal expenses.

“We budgeted really tightly for the last couple years,” Kravitz said, adding that inflation is also driving all costs up. “We’ve been trying to keep things level for the last couple years, but at this point we need to recognize we need to pay more for things.”

Kravitz noted the town’s Frontier Regional School District assessment greatly increased. A 9.14% increase was approved at the March School Committee meeting, making for a Frontier line item increase of $192,217, according to the town’s budget documents. He added the assessment spike was driven by the state’s minimum required contribution formula, which takes a town’s property values into account. Sanderson Place a new affordable senior housing complex that opened on North Main Street last year, also factored into the property values.

Articles 12 through 14 concern CPA funding for Frontier tennis courts at $23,500, pickleball courts at Riverside Park for $115,000 and repair work at First Congregational Church for $60,000.

The tennis courts have previously been approved by the Frontier Capital Improvements subcommittee — which is made up of a Select Board and School Committee member of the four-member towns — and the entire Frontier School Committee.

The Riverside Park pickleball courts, Kravitz said, have been requested by residents and would fit in well with Sanderson Place’s older population, as the town can provide “additional recreation opportunities that people can take advantage of.”

As for the church, the Rev. Randy Calvo said they’re preparing for “standard repair work” in restoring the church’s steeple, bell tower and roof by replacing the shingles. The high cost is due to the height of the church and the equipment needed to undertake the repairs.

“We’re trying to maintain the appearance because it’s iconic in town,” Calvo said of the 187-year-old church.

Additional articles on the Town Meeting warrant include creating a Capital Stabilization Fund for Frontier; creating an Opioid Settlement Stabilization Fund; and submitting special legislation to allow firefighter Scott Smith to serve until he is 70.

The full Town Meeting warrant, as well as budget documents, can be viewed on the Sunderland website at tinyurl.com/98s7vhdh.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.]]>