The 2025 Francestown Town Meeting was as much a celebration of the town’s volunteer officials and employees as it was a time for approving budgets and expenditures. The day began with the presentation of an engraved gavel to Town Moderator Paul Lawrence, who is retiring after 29 years in the job.

Town Administrator Jamie Pike recognized volunteers retiring from town boards and committees, including Cemetery Trustee Ethel MacStubbs, who has served in that position for 25 years.

During the meeting, a proclamation proposed by Gary Schnakenberg to thank the Francestown School Committee for “months and months of daunting work completed diligently, meticulously, and with the utmost professionalism and transparency” was adopted and enthusiastically applauded.

The proposed $2.3 million town operating budget, which included significant pay and benefits increases for full-time town employees, passed nearly unanimously after Budget Committee Chair Stewart Brock outlined the results of a comparative wage study the committee had completed. Brock explained that the new pay and benefits levels are in line with market rates and extolled the expertise and dedication of the town’s employees.

An article authorizing $20,000 for expenses related to the withdrawal from ConVal passed unanimously and sparked discussion about where Francestown goes from here. Francestown School Committee Chair Laura Mafera explained that while Francestown voted strongly in favor of withdrawal with 80% of the vote, the measure failed to pass the 40% district-wide threshold, missing by only about 79 to 85 votes. She recognized that there is still strong support for withdrawal in the community.

After questions from residents about future options, committee member Kevin Pobst said that the committee will be meeting next week, consulting with its attorney, and will have recommendations and discussions with the community in the coming weeks and months.

With little or no discussion, Francestown voters unanimously approved all the remaining warrant articles, including $875,000 for a new fire truck, $305,000 for road improvements, $70,000 for HVAC repairs at the library, $45,000 for improvements at the transfer station and $435,000 to fund capital reserves.

Moderator Paul Lawrence adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m. As she exited the Town Hall, Select Board member Karen Fitgerald reflected on the meeting.

“You really have to appreciate that Town Meeting is true democracy. It’s a beautiful thing,” she said.