Aquinnah residents dedicated more than $500,000 to improving municipal infrastructure and town-owned properties at the annual town meeting Tuesday.

Led by moderator Michael Hebert, more than 60 voters at the town hall had their say on the 24-article warrant, bringing the Island’s annual town meeting season to an end. Residents approved a nearly 4 per cent budget increase and a $200,000 debt exclusion for repairs to the up-Island schools.

The debt exclusion will have to be approved again by the voters at Thursday’s election to go into effect.

All but one article at the two-hour town meeting was approved. Article 19, which called for $20,000 in available funds to replace the fire station’s propane fire furnace with mini-splits, was withdrawn by the town per the recommendation of town administrator Jeffrey Madison.

“We can [replace the furnace] through the facilities fund rather than replacing the furnace at this time…” Mr. Madison said. “I just need to do more work on this before I allow this to be voted on.”

The town approved $135,000 for town building repairs. Tom Murphy, a select board member and chair of the infrastructure committee, said the money was necessary to replace windows and get insulation for the town offices.

This year the town also approved $10,000 to replace the two electric vehicle stations outside of town hall and $40,000 to resurface parking lots at the town hall, library and playground. 

An additional $70,014.37 will go toward road work. Mr. Madison said these funds were provided by a state reimbursement account. He added that Gov. Maura Healey doubled the amount of money small towns like Aquinnah were given with this year’s appropriation.

The playground behind town hall received $250,000 for phase two of construction, $180,000 of which is borrowed. Mr. Madison said the money will help pay to create a section for toddlers.

The town will be getting its own audio and video equipment for the town hall. Although it cost $15,000, Mr. Murphy told voters it will save money in the long-run, since the town wouldn’t have to rent equipment each year.

Emmanuel Andrade, an architect with KMA, presented findings on an Americans with Disabilities Act evaluation that audited Aquinnah’s buildings and services. Later in the evening, the town voted in favor of allocating $15,000 for a wheelchair at town beaches. 

Some articles generated discussion throughout the evening. 

Adam Petkus, the building inspector and zoning enforcement officer for Aquinnah and Chilmark, asked the select board to make an amendment to increase his budget by $16,000 to hire an administrative assistant. 

“We’re going to lose the opportunity to create a strong regionalized department,” Mr. Petkus said. 

Mr. Madison responded to his request by commending Mr. Petkus for his service to the town, but stated that his ask is beyond what the town could handle.

“It would be out of line for us to consider the amendment that Mr. Petkus is asking for,” Mr. Madison said. 

After much discussion, the town voted against the amendment.

Townsfolk also questioned why article 17 asked the town for $15,000 in funds to build a new kennel facility since the town does not have an animal control officer. Mr. Madison said they have someone lined-up for the position and it is a state requirement.

He added that the price tag is so high because the state requires the kennel to be air conditioned, heated and have proper drainage, which got remarks from the audience.

“I’m hopeful that no one will move into this,” Mr. Madison joked.

“It’s a dog’s life,” Mr. Hebert added.

The town voted to approve the kennel. 

Before passing article 12, which allocated $18,000 to fund the town’s grant writer, Mr. Murphy said it was the most important action of the night. Gisele Gauthier brought over $2 million in grants for the town.

“Of all of the items that you’re looking to make a decision on tonight, this is the most critical,” Mr. Murphy said.

The town swiftly approved $30,560.78 for the Tri-Town ambulances to have new first aid equipment, and an additional $56,389.28 for a new ambulance. Mr. Murphy said the cost was split evenly between the three up-Island towns.

Over $196,850 in community preservation funds was approved for community housing efforts. The money will help fund an affordable development at Island Autism, the Island Housing Trust’s veterans supportive housing and school employee housing, as well as the recently built Carl Widdiss Way apartments behind the town hall.

The town accepted the seasonal communities designation, following in the footsteps of all other Island towns. Town counsel Michael Goldsmith said the designation allows the town to provide a residential tax exemption and tools such as the ability to acquire year-round housing occupancy restrictions.

Voters also approved imposing a local meals excise of 0.75 per cent.

Aquinnah’s annual town election is Thursday. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at town hall. The town has a number of open positions on the ballot, including town moderator, two open positions on the planning board, an associate position on the planning board and two library trustees positions.