Barre Annual Town Meeting Approves Budget, Tables Town Administrator Bylaw

BARRE — June 13, 2023 — Barre's annual town meeting approved a $6.6 million municipal budget for FY2024 but tabled a proposed town administrator bylaw on a 98-15 standing count. The meeting, which worked through more than two dozen warrant articles June 13, also passed the Quabbin Regional School District assessment and authorized the district to borrow $387,344 to replace the chiller in the middle-high school HVAC system, with Barre's share estimated at $154,424 beginning in FY2025. Two zoning articles — one that would have allowed two-family homes in R20 and R15 zones served by town water and sewer, and one that would have rezoned a parcel near the South Street post office from R80 to R20 — each received 75 yes votes and 60 no votes on secret ballots, falling short of the two-thirds threshold required. The tabled administrator bylaw leaves the position without a codified job description as the town searches for a permanent hire following a resignation in April.