The first week of February is heavy with deliberative sessions as town and school districts operating under the official ballot law prepare their budgets and warrant articles for presentation to voters.

Under the official ballot law, commonly referred to as SB2 for the Senate bill that eventually became law, Allenstown, Auburn, Candia, Epsom and Hooksett will give voters a chance to discuss and amend the articles and then open the vote to all on Tuesday, March 9.

Pembroke still operates under the traditional Town Meeting format for both town and school budgets, so their discussions won’t take place until March 6 and 13. Pembroke warrants will be reviewed at the end of February.

Here’s what is still coming up:
Candia
The deliberative session of Town Meeting is set for Saturday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m., at Moore School.

Of the 40 articles listed on the town warrant, the first two will not be discussed at the meeting, as they pertain to zoning and election of candidates.

Article 3 asks voters for $2,323,233 for the municipal operating budget. If defeated, the default budget would be $45,463 higher, at $2,368,696.

Articles 4 through 31 ask for relatively small amounts for various purposes, including services, maintenance and mosquito spraying.

Article 32 asks for permission for selectmen to sell town property at Exit 3 for retail purposes.

Article 33, by petition, asks the Board of Selectmen to be reduced to three members.

Article 35, by petition, asks to establish a revolving fund to encourage recycling efforts.

Article 36, by petition, asks to establish a revolving fund for cable access.

Article 37, by petition, asks for a police special detail revolving fund.

Article 38, by petition, asks to reinstate a three-member board of cemetery trustees.

Article 39, by petition, asks to change the date of elections and the vote on warrants from the second Tuesday in March to the second Tuesday in April. This would also change the date of the deliberative session of Town Meeting to between the first and second Saturdays after the last Monday in March.

Article 40, by petition, asks to change the date of the elections and warrant votes to the second Tuesday in May, with the deliberative session of Town Meeting taking place between the first and second Saturdays after the first Monday in April.

Epsom
The deliberative session of Town Meeting takes place Saturday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m., at Epsom Central School.

There are nine warrant articles to be considered.

Article 1 asks for $350,000 for the construction and equipping of a new town office building. This will require a three-fifths majority vote to succeed.

Article 2 asks for $2,710,458 as a municipal operating budget. Should voters say no, the default budget would be $58,801 lower, at $2,651,657.

Article 3 asks for $150,000 to be added to a capital reserve fund for reconstruction and improvements to town roads.

Article 4 asks for $26,037 to pay for six months’ salary and benefits for one additional police officer.

Article 5 asks for $30,000 for the planning of future construction and renovation of the old meetinghouse building to be used as a town office facility and meeting space.

Article 6 asks voters to accept the properties of the Gossville Cemetery Association, also known as the Hopkinson Cemetery.

Article 7 asks that the town describe the estimated tax impact of heas warrant article be included on the ballot.

Article 8 asks voters to support a state vote that defines marriage.

Article 9 asks voters to change the position of zoning compliance officer to an elected position, rather than appointed.

Hooksett
The deliberative session of School District Meeting takes place Friday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., at Cawley Middle School.

Three warrant articles will be up for discussion.

The first is a collective bargaining agreement between the Hooksett School Board and Hooksett Education Association, which asks for no increases in salary or benefits for the next three years, but leaves open the possibility of negotiations later.

The second asks voters for $27,239,497 as an operating budget for the school district. If voters said no, the default amount would be $27,435,528, which is $196,031 higher than the proposed budget.

The third article wants voters to approve the release of restrictions on the use of the former Village School property, now used as Hooksett Town Hall. Approval would allow the town to generate revenue by leasing unused parts of the building to third parties.

The deliberative session of Hooksett Town Meeting takes place April 3.