BY ROD HANSEN
A $4.3 million operating budget, a road funding request and new tax exemptions for the elderly are among the items residents will consider in the voting booth at Weare’s March Town Meeting.
Money items
• The proposed operating budget of $4,345,078 marks a 2 percent increase from last year’s number of $4,254,622. That figure will be used as a default budget in case this year’s budget fails to garner voter approval.
The proposed budget will have a $1.81 impact on the tax rate, said Town Administrator Fred Ventresco.
That estimate does not account for warrant articles or any other spending and is subject to further review, Ventresco said.
• Following the operating budget, a second article requests money for 10 of the town’s capital reserve funds. Items contained in the article include $35,000 to be placed in a transfer station equipment fund, $65,000 for a police cruiser fund and $115,000 for a highway truck and equipment fund.
The capital reserve fund article carries a total value of $325,334, with an anticipated tax impact of 37 cents per $1,000 of property value.
• Beyond these items, another article calls for $375,000 in road reconstruction and resurfacing appropriations. Of this, $151,727 would be raised through taxation, while the remaining $223,273 would come from state highway block grant funds. That article is expected to have a 45-cent impact on the tax rate.
The road program regularly appears as a stand-alone article on the town warrant and usually meets with voter acceptance, Ventresco said. While 2006 marked the first time in several years the town had not operated on a default budget, the town administrator said the road program usually fares better.
“The town has had better luck putting (the road program) in as a special article. The road article usually passes,” Ventresco said.
• Another article seeks $35,000 for a town building needs assessment. The study will address whether town facilities are meeting the needs of the community, as well as anticipating future needs.
The Capital Improvements Program subcommittee has recommended this study, which carries an estimated 4-cent impact on the tax rate.
• Other items on the ballot will address the town’s safety services. The police department appears on the ballot with $42,746 in increased salaries under a new contract, as well as $52,000 for the hiring of a new officer.
Also on the warrant is a $49,850 request to per diem EMT’s to staff the ambulance eight hours a day throughout the week from July 1 to Dec. 31. Approval of this article would put the money permanently into the Weare Fire Department operating budget.
• Another article would modify tax exemptions offered to the town’s elderly homeowners. The item would allow for exemptions of $70,000 for those 65 to 75 years of age, $90,000 for those 75 to 80, and $300,000 for those 80 and older.
The article sets some restrictions on income, residency and ownership.
Petitions
• One petitioned article looks to provide year-round public access to Horace Lake. The article would expand the time of year boat launches are open to the public during non-ice conditions and enhance the amount of roadside parking available at the park.
“The intent is for everyone to have year-round access to the public waters of New Hampshire,” said Steve Najjar, a resident and member of the conservation commission who submitted the petitioned article.
• A second petitioned article establishes a fund for a future community center. The center would include a kitchen, multipurpose rooms and recreational facilities, according to the article.
Ventresco said the current draft warrant includes proposed spending articles, but he expects more petitioned articles to be added before town voting.
Voting
Residents can discuss and amend the articles at the deliberative session of Town Meeting on Saturday, Feb. 3, at starting at 9 a.m. at Center Woods Elementary School. Voting will take place March 13 at Center Woods.