ORANGE — The 83 voters at Monday’s Special Town Meeting made quick work of the warrant’s lone article and agreed to appropriate an additional $200,000 to fund the town’s assessment to the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District.
Annual Town Meeting voters overwhelmingly rejected the town’s fiscal year 2027 assessment to Mahar on May 11, hoping that the requested $5.2 million figure might be reduced by $200,000. But the district’s other member towns of New Salem, Wendell and Petersham adopted their assessments, meaning the Mahar budget, totaling $15.8 million, was ratified in accordance with the regional agreement established in the 1950s. The agreement requires a two-thirds majority for budget ratification.
Adoption of the Special Town Meeting article — which was done in 13 minutes — approved Orange’s assessment at $5.2 million and brings the town’s FY27 budget to nearly $29.3 million, which represents a decrease of just over $10,000 from the current fiscal year. According to Town Administrator Matthew Fortier, this leaves roughly $3,750 in free cash to be carried forward, maintains department budgets at previously approved levels and does not impact stabilization accounts.
Orange shoulders roughly 75% to 80% of the regional school district’s apportioned costs, which has drawn disdain from residents. The town is also the district’s poorest and, as a result, has the least ability to pay for education. Some have blamed the agreement for the town’s recent budget woes. The Selectboard has established a five-member ad hoc committee to develop potential amendments to the agreement.
Shirley Page Community Pride Award
Prior to the vote, Selectboard Chair Julie Davis announced Deborah Kent as this year’s recipient of the Shirley Page Community Pride Award, bestowed upon an Orange resident who promotes the town by volunteering and working toward the betterment of Orange.
“Deb Kent has dedicated countless hours over several years to the town of Orange’s restoration and beautification efforts,” Davis said, adding that Kent has also served on the Energy Committee and the North Quabbin Garden Club. “Deb Kent continues to work hard for Orange and our community.”
Kent was unable to attend the Special Town Meeting and Cara Iacoponi, executive assistant to the town administrator, accepted the award on her behalf.
The Selectboard established the award in 2014 to honor the memory of Shirley Page, who served as town clerk for 14 years. Page was also active in the Pioneer Junior Women’s Club and, along with Geneva Lawson, organized fundraisers to establish and support the police K-9 in Orange. Page died in 2013.
