Mason voters cheerfully and expediently passed all but one warrant article at Town Meeting Saturday morning.
Because of voter interest in Article 12 it was moved up to the beginning of the meeting by voters so it could be discussed. The article asked voters to adopt a provision from a state law that allows an optional property tax exemption from the property’s assessed value, for property tax purposes, for property equipped with solar energy systems intended for use at the immediate site. The property tax exemption would be in the amount equal to 100 percent of the assessed value of qualifying solar energy systems equipment under the law.
“I guess people don’t like the idea of getting something for free that they don’t get themselves,” said voter Liz Fletcher after town meeting. “On a whole, I think it’s a good idea cause we all have to support reducing our carbon footprint. … The more solar that is being produced the less you have to have these big electric-generating plants.”
Voters said yes to all other warrant articles in a voice vote:
■To raise $2,050,983 for the operating budget
■To raise $14,000 to be added to the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund
■To raise $61,000 for the repair and maintenance of the town roads, or take any other action relative thereto
■To raise $25,000 to be added to the Fire Department Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund
■To raise $30,000 to be added to the Highway Department Equipment Reserve Fund
■To raise $10,000 from the Forestry Maintenance Fund in order to create and maintain recreational trails on town properties
■To raise $4,072 to reimburse the Conservation Commission for the legal and appraisal expenses related to the acquisition of Lot E-1 8. Reimbursement would be made from the Forestry Maintenance Fund.
■To raise $54,000 to purchase and equip a new police cruiser. The purchase would be made with $25,000 from the Police Revolving Fund and the balance, $29,000, from the Police Cruiser Capital Reserve Fund.
■To establish a Town Hall Renovation Capital Reserve Fund, name the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend from the fund, and to raise $3,010 to place in the fund. The $3,010 would come from the unassigned fund balance and represents a donation previously received by the Wolf Rockers Square Dance Club.
■To raise $24,490 to complete an engineering study for improvements to the Abbot Hill Road and Starch Mill Road intersection.
■To raise $8,993 to purchase and install an alarm system at the Highway Garage.
Town Meeting wrapped up at 11 a.m.