Residents of New Salem, Massachusetts will convene for a Special Town Meeting on January 12, 2026, to address significant issues regarding the town’s recent election results. The central agenda item is the ratification of the May 5, 2025, election results, which were found to have been improperly posted according to state law.
Article 14 on the meeting’s warrant seeks to confirm all votes cast during the election, despite noted “defects or omissions” in the official notification process. This measure aims to validate the election outcomes and is expected to be bolstered by a bill from State Representative Aaron Saunders, aimed at ensuring the integrity of the election results.
“Things like this happen from time to time,” said Rep. Saunders, who represents the nearby Belchertown area. “This legislation is just about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.” He noted that the lack of contested races in the May election simplifies the resolution of the issue.
Funding and Budget Stabilization for the Highway Department
The Special Town Meeting will also address several financial articles primarily related to the New Salem Highway Department. Highway Superintendent Colin Killay has proposed eight articles to stabilize the department’s budget, crucial for ongoing operations as spring approaches.
“They’re all important,” Killay stated, emphasizing the need for additional funding to carry the department through the end of the fiscal year. The articles include requests for reallocating funds from free cash to the General Expenses Account for various essential purchases and services. For instance, Article 2 requests $83.10 to cover a prior year’s bill for uniforms for the department’s three employees.
The proposed transfers to the Highway Department’s General Expenses Account total $53,792. Key allocations include:
- $20,000 for repairs to a 2016 F-750 truck with motor failure
- $2,661 for repairs to a 2008 John Deere loader
- $2,500 for a new pump for the diesel tank
- $5,100 for contracting road sweeping services
- $4,030 for lighting fixtures at the salt shed
- $8,500 for hot mix asphalt for paved road maintenance
- $11,000 for gravel and hard pack for gravel road maintenance
Killay, who recently took over the superintendent role after a consulting career, expressed confidence in gaining community support for the proposed funding. A meet-and-greet event with Killay will take place before the Special Town Meeting, starting at 17:30 at the New Salem Public Library.
Additional Articles on the Warrant
Other articles set for discussion include a transfer of $20,000 from free cash to the Legal General Expenses Account for legal consultations and court fees. Additionally, there are allocations of $4,902 for property insurance bills and $1,000 for hiring an animal inspector.
For those interested in reviewing the complete 14-article warrant, it is available online at tinyurl.com/NewSalemSTM2026. The outcomes of this meeting will be crucial for the administrative and operational stability of New Salem’s local government as it moves forward into the new fiscal year.
