WESTHAMPTON — Budgets and a new dump truck for the Highway Department were approved along with other spending items in a three-hour Town Meeting earlier this month.

A quorum of 63 voters at the May 13 meeting OK’d a municipal budget that was up by 7.76% at $2,740,692 and school spending that topped $4 million, Administrative Assistant Douglas Finn reported.

Recognized with standing ovations were Phil Dowling for his many years of service on the Select Board, and Dean Bates for his 21 years as principal of Westhampton Elementary School.

Municipal spending included increases of almost 25% in the general government account and 14% in the fire/police budget.

Finn said the town made a significant adjustment to the treasurer and collector salaries and hours to make it a full-time position with benefits, and is looking to hire a single person to perform both roles.

The town is also spending substantially more in FY24 on information technology support, due to insurance requirements, with the addition of a proactive anti-virus package, Finn said.

The police budget was boosted by the addition of one shift a week to provide expanded coverage, as well as a doubling of building expenses at the public safety complex, due primarily to increased utility costs, Finn said.

As detailed in draft minutes provided by Town Clerk Katrin Kaminsky, voters approved a transfer of $342,477 from the stabilization fund, along with almost $18,000 in surplus funds, for purchase of the $360,300 dump truck with spreader and wing plow.

Finn said the town is expected to gain possession of the truck in six to 10 months.

Voters also OK’d the transfer of $40,000 from stabilization to pay for maintenance or removal and replacement of diseased and damaged shade trees. Town Meeting was informed that more money may be needed in future years because this issue has long been neglected.

After much discussion, a majority of voters approved the transfer of $350,000 from free cash to the stabilization fund, and the transfer of $137,464 from free cash to balance the budget, according to the draft minutes.

Among other monetary items, voters approved using $8,732.29 in surplus funds from the painting project for a fire detection, alarm and security system for Town Hall, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act making up the balance of the cost.

And voters agreed to transfer $8,815.82 from free cash for treatment and prevention of opioid addiction. The money was the amount received by the town from two nationwide settlement agreements with pharmaceutical companies.

Town Meeting also unanimously approved a nonbinding resolution calling for a new state seal and flag.

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