Residents will vote on several key issues at a special Town Meeting on Saturday, including the purchase of a new ambulance, a spike in health insurance costs, and repairs to town buildings. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. at Conway Grammar School.
New Ambulance Purchase
Article 1 of the warrant asks voters to approve transferring $537,857 to the general fund for a new customized ambulance and a Stryker Power-LOAD System for lifting stretchers. Funding would come from $451,641 in the Ambulance Stabilization Fund, $40,000 from the Ambulance Reserve for Receipts Fund, and $46,216 from free cash.
Ambulance Director Gemma Vanderheld told the Selectboard and Finance Committee on Nov. 17 that the total includes a $30,000 cushion for unforeseen price increases. She expects the ambulance to arrive in early 2027, replacing a 10-year-old vehicle.
Health Insurance Hike
Article 2 addresses a 20% increase in health insurance costs for town employees. Conway had already budgeted for an 18% rise for fiscal year 2026. The increase took effect Oct. 1 after the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust voted in July to raise rates amid rising pharmaceutical and medical claims, including the growing use of weight-loss drugs.
The Selectboard opted to remain with the trust for the fiscal year. To cover the increase, voters will consider transferring $125,000 from free cash to fund employee coverage.
Employee Stipend Correction
Article 5 concerns a decade-long underpayment of an employee stipend. Town Administrator Véronique Blanchard reported the error but did not disclose the employee’s name. Voters will decide whether to transfer $23,636 from free cash to the general fund to settle the owed amount.
“The easiest way for us to deal with this, having spoken to town counsel, is to pay the amount that’s due,” Blanchard said.
Town Property Repairs
Several articles address repairs and improvements to town property:
Public Safety Building Garage: Article 9 proposes reallocating $104,801 from existing funds to replace a leaking metal and asphalt roof.
Howland Cemetery: Article 12 would use $69,000 from the Community Preservation Fund to remove overgrown trees threatening historic grave markers.
Ballfield Fence and Streetlights: Voters may approve $7,211 from free cash for a new fence and $3,500 for LED streetlight upgrades, expected to save the town around $5,000 annually.
Technology and Accessibility Upgrades
Article 3 asks voters to approve $38,000 from free cash to hire Sourcepass, Inc. for firewall installation and computer upgrades, enabling the town to use Microsoft cloud services. Blanchard noted the cost rose after Sourcepass assessed the town’s systems in person.
Article 10 seeks $24,321 from free cash to fund an assessment of town properties for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, opening future grant opportunities.
Other Projects and Administrative Changes
Reallocation of $9,388 for Conway Mall improvements and $3,000 for Right to Farm signs.
Article 13 allows broader use of the grant match and administration account.
Article 14 proposes updating the town bylaw to make town reports available online, with printed copies at town buildings or mailed upon request, cutting the $3,000 annual mailing cost.
Voters may also approve $7,000 from free cash to hire an accounting firm temporarily after Town Accountant Mike Koceila’s planned resignation.
The special Town Meeting will decide the allocation of funds for these projects, repairs, and employee obligations, shaping Conway’s budget and town operations for the coming year.
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