By Beth David, Editor
Acushnet voters approved a $38+ million budget with almost no discussion at the Annual Town Meeting on 6/29/26. TM also approved a bylaw that would allow licensed gun owners to carry concealed weapons into certain town buildings, as an exception to the state’s new restrictive gun law.
At the beginning of the meeting, Town Moderator, Les Dakin, recognized outgoing Town Administrator, James “Jamie” Kelley, who is retiring.
Mr. Dakin credited Mr. Kelley with streamlining the TM process, and praised his demeanor and professionalism.
Selectboard chairperson, Kevin Gaspar, then took the opportunity to thank Mr. Dakin for taking on the moderator role this year. He had planned to retire, but no one ran for the position.
Mr. Dakin also introduced the new TA, Adam Lamontagne, and new Selectboard member, Ryan Rezendes, and recognized long time Finance Committee member Eric Chew, who resigned after moving out of town.
The only budget item that garnered any discussion was the School Department.
“What’s really going on here,” asked Timothy Mason, mostly referring to the spike in spending for Old Colony.
“I don’t know if we have all night, mu friend, to go over the Old Colony situation,” said Mr. Gaspar.
He said the town can not control the per student cost at Old Colony.
He told the school they have a spending problem, the town does not have a revenue problem. He also gave a quick run-through of the constraints of Proposition 2 1/2.
“I feel we’re being held hostage,” said Mr. Mason.
School Committee Chair, Ronald Houde, said the department has cut 28 positions in the last three years.
Between the increase in costs and the limited increase in revenues, the town is in a “detrimental situation,” said Mr. Gaspar.
He said the state needs to send more tax dollars back to the municipalities.
Finance Committee chairperson, Mike Boucher agreed, taking an opportunity to slam the state’s “irresponsible” spending, a familiar refrain. He said something has to change.
“The math won’t work without more state aid,” said Mr. Boucher.
In the end, the budget passed as hammered out by the Selectboard and Finance Committee.
In addition to the operating budget, TM approved $285,250 in capital expenditures, including new gear for both fire and police; a new police cruiser ($65,000); and $95K for boiler repairs for both schools.
TM also approved all Community Preservation Act funds requested totalling $125,294, including $10K for a 250 National Anniversary Parade; and $49,794 for three maintenance projects at the Long Plain Museum; and $47,500 for repairs to the Town Hall and Parting Ways roofs.
TM also passed a bylaw taking advantage of an exception allowed to municipalities in the state’s new gun law, which bars any firearms from town properties, including town halls. Schools are still prohibited areas.
The bylaw would allow citizens with valid Licenses to Carry (LTC) to carry handguns on municipal properties.
Alex Knox, who petitioned the bylaw, said the bylaw is consistent with the practice in Acushnet for more than 150 years.
The change means that residents can go about their business with becoming criminals.
Mr. Knox said the state law is a “direct strike against our Constitutional right to bear arms.”
He also said premise creates a false sense security. Prohibiting firearms does not stop threats, he said, it merely creates soft targets.
Mr. Knox also outlined the logistical problems with the state law, requiring a person who carries to unholster their gun and lock it up in the car when the go inside. That can cause accidents.
“Keeping a firearm holstered is the gold standard of safety,” said Mr. Knox.
John Howcroft spoke against the bylaw, citing language about acceptable behavior in a town policy, and apparently implying that carrying a weapon could be seen as intimidating behavior. Advocates clarified that the laws in question are for concealed carry.
Nathan Polhemus also spoke against the change, saying that statistics clearly show that the more firearms in a space, the less safe that space is.
“It’s just a delusional fantasy for people who think they will be the good guy with a gun,” said Mr. Polhemus. “That doesn’t play out in real life.”
He also asked if anyone has been arrested for carrying a gun into town buildings.
“What is being solved,” by the change, he asked.
SB member Bob Hinckley stressed that the article was a citizen petition and his board had nothing to do with it.
FinCom chair Mike Boucher, said his committee meets in a locked room, but anyone can shoot through the glass door. He said he would be more comfortable if he had his firearm with him, “just in case.”
He said he disagreed about the “fantasy.”
“It’s a reality,” said Mr. Boucher.
Thomas Orlowski said he was a licensed firearms instructor. He went through the steps that people have to go through to get a License to Carry and then to buy a firearm, which include background checks and approval by the local police chief.
He said after going through all that and following all the rules, the LTC holder could be a felon just for engaging in town business.
He said many government buildings have a lot of security, but town hall does not. People are free to walk in and out.
“You need to be able to protect yourself,” he said.
Mr. Knox spoke again and noted that just a few weeks ago a man started shooting into cars in Cambridge on Memorial Drive.
“That man was stopped by a civilian and a state trooper,” said Mr. Knox.
In the end, the measure passed overwhelmingly, with just a handful of votes in opposition.
The meeting is available on the town’s YouTube Channel through a link on the town’s website.
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