ORWELL — Orwell voters had several big decisions to consider at Tuesday’s Town Meeting.
Residents passed what might have been the agenda’s most exciting item — a big truck. Voters approved $165,000 that will go toward a five-year loan at 2.75 percent interest for a 2019 Mack tandem truck with equipment.
Residents also passed the proposed town spending of $1,126,833, which represents an increase of $84,149, or 8 percent, over the current year. The increased budget will help pay for an Orwell Rescue Squad vehicle and balance declining payments from state funds, including the Agency of Natural Resources and Highway Aid.
Eighteen town officials ran unopposed for election by Australian ballot. Thomas Audet was elected to the position of Town Moderator, and will also serve a one-year term on the school board and a three-year term on the selectboard. Paula Barnes will serve a two-year term on the selectboard, and school directors Robert Quesnel and Sarah Tetzlaff will serve three and two year terms, respectively. Town Clerk Betty Walker and Town Treasurer Mark Young were also among those who ran unopposed.
At the Orwell Town School District Meeting, voters passed the school budget of $2,170,400 in a 46 to 26 vote by paper ballot. That figure is $237,223, or 12 percent higher than spending approved for this year. Spending per equalized pupil will also go up, from $13,785 in 2017-2018, to $15,087 in 2018-2019, which represents a 9.9 percent hike.
Separately, voters also approved $20,000 that will go toward preliminary design and cost for a new school facility.