SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – The annual Springfield Town and Town School District Meeting occurred on Monday, March 2, during which 31 articles were discussed. Voting by Australian ballot was held the following day, March 3, and recorded 1,357 total votes, including absentee ballots.
Article 4 asked for an appropriation in the sum of $16,801,225 for the town budget to cover salaries, highway, and general town expenses. Newly appointed town manager Scott Pickup introduced himself to the meeting, before launching into a presentation on this year’s budget appropriations. “A lot of the work that has gone into this year’s budget was done by Jeff Mobus. Jeff retired in January, and I really appreciate all [of his] hard work.” Pickup said Mobus, the board, and the budget committee had taken care to present a budget that highlights the commitment that the town and selectboard continue to make to the community.
The proposed budget, ultimately approved by voters, includes an amount to be raised by taxes of $12,908,765, which represents a tax increase of $601,452, and an increase in gross expenditures of 4.89%. Pickup explained the disbursement of expenditures was roughly the same as previous years, with the most money earmarked for three departments: public works, police, and fire and ambulance.
Some of the expected capital investments to be made in 2027 are the removal of the reservoir dam, at a cost of $325,000, with 90% covered by a FEMA grant; an estimated $390,000 for the purchase of new vehicles for the highway department; and Chester Road Bridge rail repairs, expected to cost $165,000.
Springfield School Superintendent Peter Burrows gave a presentation prior to the discussion on Article 13, which asked voters to approve the school district budget of $41,458,651. Burrows detailed some of the current programs, and how education is funded in the State of Vermont. The proposed budget represents a per-student cost of $15,189 – a rate 9.26% higher than spending during the current year.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the rising cost of education versus student performance, with citizens weighing in on both sides, ultimately rejecting the proposed budget with a vote of 741-599 the following day.
Burrows released a statement on the district website announcing that the school district will host a public strategic planning event, similar to a town hall, where voters can share their “perspectives, experiences, and ideas.”
“We are continuing work on our budget to ensure we have a clear and transparent plan for [fiscal year 2027] as we prepare for a revote,” Burrows wrote. “We will be sharing more information in the coming weeks about the next opportunity for the community to vote.”
At Town Meeting, Springfield voters listened to representatives from several area organizations that serve the public and are partially funded through municipal funding, such as Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), Visiting Nurse and Hospice, Senior Solutions, Valley Heath Connections, The Moover, Green Mountain RSVP, and others. On Tuesday, citizens voiced their support of these social services by approving articles 15-25, and 27-29.
Voters also approved Article 26, which appropriated $9,500 for the Springfield Art and Historical Society, but rejected Article 30, a $7,500 appropriation for Gallery at the Vault.
Additionally, the issue of restricting firearms in Hartness Park was back on the ballot on Tuesday. Article 31, banning discharge of firearms in Hartness Park, was approved by a narrow margin of 692-631 votes.
At their special meeting on Wednesday, March 4, the Springfield Selectboard welcomed a new member, Doug Johnson. Kristi Morris was reelected to the board and reappointed as board chair. Heather Frahm was appointed as vice chair. The board is scheduled to meet again on March 23.