A quick session - More money for police added in at Candia Town Meeting

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 15:28:00 GMT

BY SARAH LEBRUN

SB2 stinks,” said Candia resident Sis Richter of the deliberative session of Town Meeting. “(The gym) is usually packed. So few people were here. It’s not good.”

Of the usual 300 to 400 residents who attend the annual Candia Town Meeting, only 77 appeared Saturday, Feb. 3, including the town office staff, said Clark Thyng, chairman of the Candia Board of Selectmen.

“I would rather have 400 informed voters than 1,000 who don’t know what they’re voting on,” said Thyng.

“I was very sad at the turnout,” said Thyng. “But I’m grateful we got the budget we needed to support the police department.”

In a 40-20 vote, Article 14 was amended to set the town operating budget at $2,032,952, a $35,145 increase over the amount originally set.

The primary reason for the increase is for the purchase of a new police cruiser, totalling $24,500. Money will also go to town building maintenance, landfill disposal, health and welfare and the planning board.

According to Ken Goekjian, a former Candia selectman, police put more than 100,000 miles on cruisers each year. If they don’t get a new cruiser this year, they will have to buy two next year.

“If we keep buying a cruiser every year, it will be safer for the officers, and there will be lower maintenance costs,” said Candia Police Chief Michael McGillen.

“The police department spent less than appropriated in 2006,” said budget committee member Carla Penfield. “There is no need to add this money back. The town will function perfectly fine.”

“We were short an officer for most of 2006,” said Selectman Jim Brennan. “That’s why you see that money there.” Following the meeting, Penfield stressed that Candia’s sixth officer was never approved by the budget committee and should not be considered part of the police department’s budget.

Residents also voted to amend Article 26, asking voters to appropriate $85,000 for the renovation of the old library. This was reduced to $15,000 for an architectural study on the building, to learn more about renovation costs before bringing the proposal to residents.

New to SB2

According to Rhonda Thyng of the Candia Community Woman’s Club, the new SB2 format of Town Meeting will now affect the club’s major fundraiser of the year – its Town Meeting luncheon.

In 2006, the luncheon raised between $800 and $1,000 to be used for the club, scholarships and heating fuel for the needy in town. This year, the meeting ended at 10 a.m. – far from the lunch hour.

“(This year) we’ll be lucky to break even,” said club member Deb Giffen.

Smyth Public Library’s operating expenses are also at the mercy of voters. Warrant Article 22 asks for $124,000 to keep the library running.

Candia News : deliberative session

A quick session - More money for police added in at Candia Town Meeting