GOSHEN — Goshen residents won’t be contemplating any major changes to municipal budgets or town official positions at this year’s town meeting, but they will consider raising spending on the town’s roads.
After the customary 5:30 p.m. potluck at Goshen Town Hall on Monday, March 6, voters will gather at 7 p.m. to decide whether or nor to pass a general fund spending plan of $232,817, a 0.06 percent increase from last year’s approved budget of $232,673.
They will also consider raising the budget for highways by 11.7 percent, from last year’s $187,200 to $209,200. The proposed increase is small compared to last year, when the town suggested a 40 percent increase in this area — all but $4,000 of which was approved. 
Australian ballot voting will take place at town hall from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Goshen residents will be voting that day to elect town officials, all of whom are running uncontested this year. Jeffrey Cathcart is the only selectman up for re-election. Barbara Brown, the town’s delinquent tax collector, will retire after 40 years serving Goshen, and current treasurer Vicki Whiting is running in her place.
A meeting for the Otter Valley Unified Union School District, comprising the towns of Goshen, Brandon, Leicester, Pittsford, Sudbury and Whiting, took place on Wednesday, March 1, (after deadline for this issue of the Independent) at the Otter Valley Union High School. Among other items, attendees elected a moderator, clerk and treasurer.
On Tuesday, March 7, by Australian ballot at town hall, Goshen residents will vote on the proposed school budget for the unified district, which set total spending of $19,772,608. If approved, education spending would increase to $14,708 per equalized student, which is 1.47 percent higher than spending for the 2016 fiscal year.
Goshen residents will also vote for four school directors for the OVUUSD — with one contested race. On the ballot will be Martin Fjeld running unopposed to fill the final year of a two-year term for a Goshen spot. Goshen voters also will cast ballots for three at-large school board members — two candidates are facing off to finish the remaining two years on a three-year seat, Barbara Ebling and Eileen Guyette; plus two candidates for two three-year seats are running unopposed, Emily Nelson and Matt Philo.