Sunday, May 11
Berkshire Eagle Staff

ALFORD — At Tuesday's annual town meeting, voters will be asked to approve a $1,136,468 fiscal 2009 budget, which reflects an increase of $32,684, or 2.9 percent, over the current budget.

The sum also includes the town's fiscal '09 Southern Berkshire Regional School District operating budget of $486,405 and a capital budget of $74,815; those totals represent a decrease of 2.4 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, from the current school budget.

Voters also will be weighing in on changing the Southern Berkshire Regional School District School Committee from an appointed to a voter-elected body.

Alford is the last of the five member towns in the district to vote on the issue; Egremont, Monterey, New Marlborough and Sheffield have all voted in favor of the change at their town elections earlier in the month. Alford's approval is needed for the amendment to take effect in the district.

Voters also will be asked to approve:

  • The appropriation or borrowing of $55,251 for construction and improvements to Alford's highways, to be reimbursed by the state's Chapter 90 highway funds

  • The transfer of $40,000 from the town's Free Cash fund for repairs and improvements to Alford's highwaysn

  • The appropriation of $1,736 for the operating budget of the Southern Berkshire Elderly Transportation
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  • The transfer of $2,800 from Free Cash to purchase a year of Reverse 911 telephone service for Alford residents.