News & Events
Notes from Town Meeting
by Cathi Wilken
Guilford’s Town Meeting was held on Tuesday, March 4 at the Guilford Central School. About 200 people met to discuss and vote on the school and town budgets, elect Town Officers, and share a great meal prepared by eighth grade students and parents.
March 4 was also primary election day. Almost 700 people voted in the primary this year.
In both school and town meetings, the electorate was, in the words of Richard Davis “friendly, generous and efficient”. The school budget of $2,641,928 passed on a voice vote, as well as an addition to the major repair fund of $6000, and the sum of $15,000 for security and safety improvements. In the town portion of the meeting, voters agreed to spend $448,250 on highways (there are 66 miles of roads in Guilford), $374,551 on general expenses, $5000 for the Green River Covered Bridge Fund and $150,00 for the Capital Equipment Fund. Voters also agreed to support the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department with a substantial increase, the Guilford Free Library, and 18 other non-profit agencies for a total of $98,340.
The menu for the lunch prepared and served by the eighth graders included ham, baked beans, cole slaw, green salad, deviled eggs, macaroni and cheese, and homemade pies of all varieties. No one went away hungry.
The school library raised $140 with it’s Adopt-A-Book program, the Guilford Free Library raised money with its raffle, and Guilford Cares held a blood-pressure clinic.
Barbara Oles, town clerk for the past 24 years, received many ovations throughout the day to celebrate her retirement. Also honored was Judy Deschaine, retiring school board member of the past 10 years.
