The Gill Highway Department hopes to replace a 2005 vehicle with a 2022 International CV515 Dump Truck, pictured. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Gill’s 1987 fire engine. Staff File Photo/Paul Franz

Gill Deputy Fire Chief William Kimball, who said he has done work on Greenfield’s new Pierce Responder 4x4 Attack Pumper, pictured, argued that this model would be ideal for serving the town of Gill. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

GILL — Potential support of the state’s Fair Share Amendment, changes to dog control policies and vehicle purchases highlight the 24-article warrant set to come before Annual Town Meeting voters on Monday.

The meeting will convene at 6:30 p.m. inside Town Hall. Masks will not be required. The full warrant can be viewed at bit.ly/3yNrOzx.

Approval of Article 3 would establish a political position in support of the state’s proposed Fair Share Amendment, also known as the “millionaire’s tax.”

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center defines the amendment as “a change to the Massachusetts state Constitution that would generate about $2 billion in yearly support for transportation and public education” through an additional 4% tax affecting those with more than $1 million annual income.

“I think the state is looking for ways to increase revenues for things like transportation and education in a way where there’s progressive income tax that comes from the top,” Selectboard Chair Greg Snedeker said.

The warrant specifies concerns including “three structurally deficient bridges and major culverts, and miles of overdue road repairs and replacements” in town, as well as a community of students who “need a well-rounded education, founded on a rich and varied curriculum.”

“Massachusetts needed new investments in our transportation and public education systems even before the COVID-19 pandemic, and those investments are needed more than ever to lift our economy into an equitable and long-lasting recovery; and ... the best way to help working families and rebuild a strong economy for us all is to make sure we have quality public schools for our children, affordable public higher education, and a reliable transportation system,” the warrant article reads.

Snedeker said “probably not much” change will be felt in Gill by taxpayers, considering the low number of wealthy residents. Regardless, he expects most Gill residents to be supportive, citing an interest in improving infrastructure.

“I think the majority will vote for it,” Snedeker said, “but I do think there will be some debate over it.”

Article 5 looks to replace current dog control bylaws with state-inspired bylaws at the recommendation of regional Animal Control Officer Kyle Dragon.

Current dog control bylaws in Gill are “nowhere near as extensive” as the regulations set to come before Town Meeting voters, Snedeker said. The new bylaws adds strict rules for annual licensing, waste cleanup, treatment and other areas of concern.

Aside from keeping order, Snedeker said, adopting a new set of bylaws that are similar to those in surrounding towns will allow Dragon more consistency as he works across different communities.

“What it does is it better allows him to do his job when others are on the same page with what the regulations are,” Snedeker said.

However, the town opted to maintain its current bylaws pertaining to livestock maintenance, rather than accept state-inspired bylaws. This decision, Snedeker said, is “more about allowing our town to have more control over when there’s an issue with livestock,” particularly considering the high volume of farm animals in Gill.

If approved, Articles 17 and 18 would allow Gill to appropriate money to replace a fire engine and a dump truck, respectively.

Article 17 involves the purchase of a new Pierce Responder 4x4 Attack Pumper. This model, which would cost around $410,000 and take roughly one year to build, would have 360 horsepower, a Cummins L9 engine, 1,250 gallons-per-minute pumping capacity and a 750-gallon water tank. It would be an upgrade of considerable magnitude from Gill’s current 1987 engine.

“Having that water means instead of having a minute and a half of water, we have five or six, which is great,” Deputy Fire Chief William Kimball explained previously. “That first five minutes of a fire can make or break whether or not you save a house.”

Article 18 involves a 2022 International CV515 Dump Truck, equipped with a Viking power-angle front plow, a stainless steel body and potentially a wing plow, that would replace the town’s current 2005 Ford F-550.

“This is our most-used and relied-on vehicle in our fleet,” Highway Superintendent John Miner wrote of the 2005 truck, which has 120,000 miles and 7,000 hours logged. “It is used for everything from checking roads, checking the pump station, getting parts, running errands, getting the mail, pulling the wood chipper and chain saws, hauling brush, chipping brush, picking up rubbish and going to classes or meetings.”

Miner said he has been in contact with dealerships Nutmeg International and Allegiance Trucks regarding the potential purchase. Nutmeg International, which Gill has done business with in the past, quoted the truck at $151,732 with a 10% contingency of $15,173.20 and no wing plow accounted for. Allegiance Trucks quoted the truck at $132,375 with a 10% contingency of $13,237.50.

Gill will pull from free cash, Northfield Mount Hermon School’s donation fund, stabilization funding and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to buy these vehicles. Approval of these purchases at Town Meeting is the “logical choice,” Snedeker said, noting that there is a limited window in which towns are able to spend ARPA money. He rationalized that capital projects of a different nature would otherwise likely take excessive time to confirm funding sources.

“With that in mind, we have to look at spending that (ARPA) money,” he said. “We can’t take it and save it for future use.”

With ARPA funding cushioning the blow to other funding sources, Snedeker said, there will be more money available for Gill to allocate in future fiscal years.

“These federal funds are a way to make that financing happen so in the future, it’ll free up some fiscal room for the town for other capital projects when we don’t have to worry about these vehicles,” he said.

Other articles on the warrant involve property tax exemptions for senior citizens; an opportunity to accept Cove View Lane as a public way; expansion of Recreation Committee membership flexibility;and appropriation of funding to install a new roof at the Riverside Municipal Building.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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