http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/feeds/topics/tm2010 Daily news from The Telegraph of Nashua en-us dkiesow@nashuatelegraph.com onlineeditor@nh.com http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/590419-196/hudson-school-warrant-unchanged-after-meeting.html HUDSON – There was a lot of discussion but no action, as voters didn’t change any of the school district’s spending proposals Saturday at its Deliberative Session. The five proposed spending items that would finance next school year and pay teachers, paraprofessionals and other district employees will now face an up-or-down vote on the town election ballot next month. A four-year teachers contract generated the most talk at the meeting, as a self-described “number-cruncher” presented recent student assessment scores to oppose giving educators raises. Resident Richard Patterson ran his own slide show, highlighting results of the New England Common Assessment Program. With students scoring weakly in several areas – including math and science – their performance should thus be tied to teacher pay, he said. Teachers shouldn’t receive step increases with their pupils underachieving, he said. Should the contract pass in March, teachers will collectively receive a $587,094 increase in 2010, $382,545 in 2011 and $635,154 in 2012. Several residents – including a couple of teachers – rejected Patterson’s remarks and said he had distorted the NECAP scores. Charlotte Schweiss, a member of the Budget Committee, said she opposed the teachers’ contract proposal but considered changing her mind after hearing Patterson. She defended the district’s teachers, and said Patterson had attacked their integrity. Patricia Peterson, an eighth-grade math teacher at Hudson Memorial School, also spoke out. Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:19:58 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/892498-196/3-running-for-county-attorney-job.html Three candidates are vying for the position of Hillsborough County attorney, including the sitting county attorney and two local attorneys working in private practice. Democrat Robert Walsh, 57, was elected county attorney last November by the county’s delegation, filling the position vacated by Republican Marguerite Wageling. Walsh is now running for a full two-year term. His opponents are Republican Dennis Hogan, 46, of Nashua, and independent Rick Pennington, 51, of Peterborough. In the three-way race, each candidate touts himself as the man for the job. While Walsh defends his record working as Hillsborough County attorney for the past year, Hogan and Pennington are critical of some of the statements Walsh has made publicly about ongoing investigations, as well as plea deals he has reached during his tenure. Walsh said his track record is one of solid prosecution. “In that year, we’ve processed over 1,800 cases, most of them to the satisfaction of the police and the victims,” Walsh said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:19:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/705503-196/voters-decide-against-saving-5-teaching-jobs.html MERRIMACK – Voters agreed with putting five teaching positions on the school district’s chopping block – a move that supports the School Board’s attempt to save money and prepare for declining student enrollment. On Tuesday, voters turned down two proposals that sought to bring back a high school teaching position and four middle school teaching slots that were cut by the board. Residents placed the measures on the ballot after board members and administrators cited declining enrollment as the reason for the cuts. A $66,632 measure to fund a math teacher’s job at Merrimack High School failed, 1,019 votes to 1,854 votes. And a $233,505 measure to fund four middle school teaching jobs failed, 932 votes to 1,935 votes. Gretchen Beard, a resident who spearheaded a Facebook drive to restore the positions, said after the vote that low turnout didn’t help the cause to save the teachers. Of the town’s 19,024 registered voters, only 2,961 went to the polls. “There were not many people supporting education,” Beard said. Beard – whose husband, Todd, fell short among five candidates who were seeking two open School Board seats – has a daughter entering the middle school next school year. She worries that her daughter and other students will suffer academically with fewer teachers. “You can’t have too many kids in a classroom at this age,” Beard said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:04:17 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/705504-196/2-new-members-join-board-council.html MERRIMACK – Voters helped usher in change Tuesday, electing two new members to the School Board and two new members to Town Council. Shannon Barnes and Christopher Ortega won three-year terms on the School Board. Ortega received 1,370 votes, and Barnes garnered 1,027 votes. They will replace Emily Coburn and Rose Robertson-Smith, who are stepping down from the board. Michael Beck (858 votes), Todd Beard (853) and Sally Kinney (750) fell short in the race. Town Council will also gain two new members. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:04:17 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/687522-196/cost-doomed-police-contracts.html Towns officials across the region are heading back to the bargaining table after voters swatted away police union contracts, despite one town’s last-minute agreement. Officials in several towns used the words “too rich” and many of the towns failed to come to agreements with the local chapters of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Amherst, Hollis and Milford were at a stalemate with the AFSCME and selectmen told voters to reject the contracts even after fact-finders’ reports recommended the agreements be accepted. In Hudson, an eleventh-hour vote by selectmen at the Deliberative Session led to a last-minute new proposal, which the police union ultimately approved, but that didn’t make a difference to voters. Taxpayers shot down a proposed contract by 1,775-1,550. “Obviously, we’re disappointed and surprised, too,” said Hudson Police Sgt. Mike Gosselin, the local union president. Hudson’s police contract will expire June 30, and officers will then have to work without a deal before they can submit a new offer to voters next March. The current contract was signed in 2007, a year before state law made an Evergreen Clause part of municipal negotiations. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:04:05 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/687522-196/cost-doomed-police-contracts.html Towns officials across the region are heading back to the bargaining table after voters swatted away police union contracts, despite one town’s last-minute agreement. Officials in several towns used the words “too rich” and many of the towns failed to come to agreements with the local chapters of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Amherst, Hollis and Milford were at a stalemate with the AFSCME and selectmen told voters to reject the contracts even after fact-finders’ reports recommended the agreements be accepted. In Hudson, an eleventh-hour vote by selectmen at the Deliberative Session led to a last-minute new proposal, which the police union ultimately approved, but that didn’t make a difference to voters. Taxpayers shot down a proposed contract by 1,775-1,550. “Obviously, we’re disappointed and surprised, too,” said Hudson Police Sgt. Mike Gosselin, the local union president. Hudson’s police contract will expire June 30, and officers will then have to work without a deal before they can submit a new offer to voters next March. The current contract was signed in 2007, a year before state law made an Evergreen Clause part of municipal negotiations. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:04:05 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/687522-196/cost-doomed-police-contracts.html Towns officials across the region are heading back to the bargaining table after voters swatted away police union contracts, despite one town’s last-minute agreement. Officials in several towns used the words “too rich” and many of the towns failed to come to agreements with the local chapters of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Amherst, Hollis and Milford were at a stalemate with the AFSCME and selectmen told voters to reject the contracts even after fact-finders’ reports recommended the agreements be accepted. In Hudson, an eleventh-hour vote by selectmen at the Deliberative Session led to a last-minute new proposal, which the police union ultimately approved, but that didn’t make a difference to voters. Taxpayers shot down a proposed contract by 1,775-1,550. “Obviously, we’re disappointed and surprised, too,” said Hudson Police Sgt. Mike Gosselin, the local union president. Hudson’s police contract will expire June 30, and officers will then have to work without a deal before they can submit a new offer to voters next March. The current contract was signed in 2007, a year before state law made an Evergreen Clause part of municipal negotiations. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:04:05 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/687522-196/cost-doomed-police-contracts.html Towns officials across the region are heading back to the bargaining table after voters swatted away police union contracts, despite one town’s last-minute agreement. Officials in several towns used the words “too rich” and many of the towns failed to come to agreements with the local chapters of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Amherst, Hollis and Milford were at a stalemate with the AFSCME and selectmen told voters to reject the contracts even after fact-finders’ reports recommended the agreements be accepted. In Hudson, an eleventh-hour vote by selectmen at the Deliberative Session led to a last-minute new proposal, which the police union ultimately approved, but that didn’t make a difference to voters. Taxpayers shot down a proposed contract by 1,775-1,550. “Obviously, we’re disappointed and surprised, too,” said Hudson Police Sgt. Mike Gosselin, the local union president. Hudson’s police contract will expire June 30, and officers will then have to work without a deal before they can submit a new offer to voters next March. The current contract was signed in 2007, a year before state law made an Evergreen Clause part of municipal negotiations. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:04:05 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/678944-196/christiansen-keeps--hudson-school-seat.html The numbers are new but the results are old following a recount of the Hudson School Board race. Lars Christiansen remained the winner of the second seat up for grabs on the board. Following a vote on Town Meeting day, the state representative edged Melissa Tobin by a single vote, 1,306 to 1,305. After Friday’s recount, Christiansen won by a vote of 1,308 to 1,304, according to school district moderator Paul Interbitzen. Incumbent Patricia Langlais took the other three-year seat, garnering 1,636 in the first count and 1,637 in the second. The only other candidate was Donna Straight, who got 1,127 votes at town meeting and then 1,128 Friday. Christiansen was involved in the school district’s last recount six years ago, Superintendent Randy Bell said. He won a seat on the School Board over state Rep. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:59 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/679078-196/mixed-results-in-marriage-voting.html A controversial petition considering the question of who should be married in New Hampshire did a lot worse in towns that considered it during traditional Town Meeting than in those that used SB2 ballot voting. About two-thirds of towns around the state with Town Meetings that took up the petition defeated it or refused to vote on it, but about two-thirds of SB2 towns that considered it passed the measure. It isn’t clear why this difference came about. It isn’t only whether votes were cast in secret, since some Town Meetings considered the measure with a public show of hands, but others voted by secret ballot, with varied results. For example, people at Mont Vernon’s traditional meeting decided to cast ballots on the measure instead of using a show of hands and supported the petition, while neighboring Lyndeborough did the same thing and rejected the petition. The article asks the state Legislature to let people vote on a constitutional amendment about who can be legally married in New Hampshire. It is nonbinding. A key supporter, Rep. David Bates, R-Windham, said proponents influenced many traditional Town Meetings by tabling the measure, preventing a vote. Bates said it’s valuable to look at the towns were residents got to vote on an unadulterated version of the article, without it being tabled or amended. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:59 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/675861-308/amherst-voters-say-no-to-bus-fields.html AMHERST – More than 100 Amherst residents who have been using a low-cost bus service to get to medical appointments or the grocery store will be grounded starting on April 30, because voters at Town Meeting rejected a petitioned warrant article to pay for the town’s share of the Souhegan Valley Transportation Collaborative budget. The article would have required paying an additional $1.50 to register each motor vehicle. The service will continue operating in Milford, Hollis and Brookline, where voters and selectmen have supported it. A transportation group had asked the town to commit $7,500 to help run the transportation collaborative but it was rejected by a more than 3-to-1 margin, 2,241 no to 616 yes. “We did a lot of telephoning and talking to people in Amherst,” said Marcia Nelson, past chair of the collaborative and now the secretary. “Some supported it, but not enough people did. A lot said they didn’t think it was necessary.” The transportation collaborative grew out of a work by the Granite State Organizing Project, a coalition of religious, community, and labor groups that identified access to health care a major problem among area residents. The board of directors for the collaborative, a volunteer group, is made up of representatives from the four participating towns. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:57 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/675863-308/open-space-crowded-out.html AMHERST – A strong majority of voters made it quite clear at the polls last week: They’re just not prepared to spend tax dollars, no matter how few, on conservation land or recreation, at least not this year. While Article 23, the so-called Open Space Land Bond that called for $2.25 million to acquire future conservation land was defeated by a more than 2-1 margin, it was Article 24, a petition article asking for $625,000 to purchase active recreation land to replace Cemetery Fields, that suffered the most resounding defeat, going down by a count of 2,249-737. Overall, voters turned down more articles involving expenditures than they passed, but did give the largest bond request, the multi-year, $15 million Road Reconstruction Bond, the thumbs up. They also approved the proposed $9.76 million operating budget, which was only $31,000 higher than last year’s. As for the open space bond, its passage would have added 13 cents per thousand to residents’ property taxes; article 24 would have added 4 cents.While an increase of 17 cents per thousand may seem like peanuts, veteran town officials like selectman chairman George Infanti know that economic anxiety had a deep, far-reaching effect on voters. “Clearly, it’s the economy,” said Infanti, who voters reelected to a third term last week. “There’s just no money these days.” Recreation Commission member Kim Parrett agreed, but added that voters may have missed a very good opportunity to secure precious recreational space for the future by defeating the article. “I think many people saw ‘$2.25 million’ and right away said, ‘No way I’m voting for that,’ ” Parrett said, adding that the recreation space petition article, while requesting significantly less funding, simply followed suit. “I’m concerned that a lot of (voters) might not have understood the difference between ‘bonding’ money and ‘spending’ money,” she added. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:57 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/675864-308/citizens-hall-plan-defeated.html LYNDEBOROUGH – Voters at Saturday’s town meeting defeated a measure to establish a capital reserve fund for a future expansion of Citizens’ Hall for the police department, and voted “no” on the marriage definition petition article, but otherwise approved everything on the budget. But not without a lot of debate. Voters approved $5,000 to fund an architectural study of the proposed addition to Citizens’ Hall, but said they would not put any money away to build it until they had some concrete plans. Most people agreed that the police department, a 17-by-22-foot room at the rear of the hall, is inadequate, and that the officers need a garage for their cruisers, but first they want a plan. That plan is to be presented at next year’s town meeting. After considerable discussion of civil rights, support of legislative decisions, and the appropriateness of the article on the town warrant, the constitutional amendment question was determined by secret ballot. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:57 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/675868-308/wilton-warrant-gets-voters-ok.html WILTON – Voters at Town Meeting on Thursday approved everything on the warrant, and then added $50,000 to the operating budget to repair storm damage at the fire station. A new roof will be installed and water damage inside will be cleaned up. Officials said most of that money would be reimbursed by the insurance company, but that the money was needed up front. The total budget passed is $4,012,040. About 150 people attended the two-hour meeting at Florence Rideout Elementary School. Voters agreed to erect a new fence along the Maple Street side of Cooley Park, make repairs to the heating and lighting systems at the police station, authorize an engineering study of the Mill Brook Dam, begin the process of removing mold and renovating parts of Town Hall, and make contributions to a list of capital reserve funds. The article concerning a vote on the definition of marriage was tabled after some discussion because voters agreed it was an inappropriate question for a town warrant. Selectman Dan Donovan said putting the definition into the constitution would be “a permanent monument to bigotry.” An attempt to raise the yearly contribution to the fire station building fund from $50,000 to $100,000 was defeated. Voters decided after lively discussion that the $7,500 for a new fence along Cooley Park, at the north end of Town Hall, would be taken from a capital reserve fund. The current fence is iron and dates to the construction of Town Hall in 1895, according to resident Charlie McGettigan, who said he saw no reason to replace it. He said it was damaged by pushing snow from Maple Street into the park. “It ought to be fixed,” McGettigan said. Selectman Richard Rockwood said the new fence would match the fence by the fire station and snow wouldn’t be pushed through it. Asked about the $87,000 in the restoration fund, Budget Committee Chairman Cary Hughes said it could be used only for the park, “and the fence is a part.” The fund dates to a bequest of $10,000 to the town many years ago. The former Arts and Film Festival added to it when it was considering developing that area instead of Lot 48. The cost to repair electrical, heating, ventilation and insulation problems at the police station is estimated at $18,300. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:57 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/675869-308/mont-vernon-backs-sb2.html MONT VERNON – After approving use of the SB2 format for future meetings Tuesday, 116 Mont Vernon residents saw what would be the last traditional-style town meeting for the Mont Vernon School District barring any future changes away from SB2. The three-hour meeting saw passage of all but one article and the proposals of seven amendments, with only one succeeding. That amendment came in a motion by Selectman John Quinlan to add $61,000 instead of $30,000 in an article to appropriate money for the School Property Maintenance Trust Fund. The issue was largely seen as a procedural motion since the School Board and Budget Committee wished to transfer money into it from the Mont Vernon School Land Capital Reserve Fund but could not legally do so. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:57 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/675432-196/district-voters-ok-11.26m-budget.html HOLLIS – The voters who packed the Hollis/Brookline Middle School on Monday night for the annual Hollis School District Meeting passed an $11.26 million operating budget, a spending plan that is $382,003, or 3.4 percent, lower than last year’s budget. It wasn’t an easy sell, given uncertainty about the economy, concerns over a state law obligating communities to continue to pay salaries and benefits negotiated under expired contracts, and a mold problem at the upper elementary school that will cost almost $500,000 to fix. Before the vote, the operating budget was amended several times with requests that included adding $50,000 to retain a teaching position, $74,625 to retain a speech pathologist, and another, asking officials to cut $100,000. All of the amendments failed. It was clear from the beginning that voters would be scrutinizing every spending request, and discussions were long, and often heated. And throughout the meeting, school moderator Jim Belanger had to remind speakers that they had run out of the allotted time. By an 82-50 vote conducted by secret ballot, voters rejected a three-year teacher contract that contained $52,000 in increases for salaries and fringe benefits for the 2010-11 school. They also approved an article that allows the district to call a special meeting to allow voters to decide on a renegotiated contract. The Budget Committee approved the teacher contract article, 5-2, with the minority expressing concerns about the Evergreen Clause, a state law passed in 2008 that obligates communities to continue the terms of a negotiated contract after it expires and until the next one is settled. Budget Committee Chairman Chris Hyde, who dissented from the majority view, said he worried that there could be “larger values associated” with the contract in the future. The operating budget that passed included the cost of repairs at the Hollis Upper Elementary School, the result of an unexpected and expensive mold problem, the teacher contract and expendable trusts to pay for maintenance in the district. On Monday before the district meeting, the School Board revised what it was asking voters to spend for repairs at the upper elementary school, reducing the amount from $500,000 to $495,000. To pay for the repairs, voters agreed to a one-time, one-year expense that saves more than $200,000 in bonding fees and interest. The hit to the taxpayer is an increase of 72 cents per thousand of property valuation, or an additional $216 for a house valued at $300,000. The budget that voters passed includes $269,620 in increases over last year’s budget to cover teacher contracts and retirement, heating oil, health insurance premiums, and a new maintenance position. It also reflects a decrease of $530,130, chiefly the result of cutting four classroom positions and a special education speech position. Voters approved an article that allows the school district to receive an energy grant, $166,847 to be used to reduce the cost of lighting districtwide. Energy efficiency experts say more efficient lighting can save the district more than $23,000 a year. Funding will come from federal stimulus funds, a conservation block grant program, and Public Service of New Hampshire, and there is no tax impact. Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:57 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/671706-196/voters-ok-all-but-one-article-at.html MONT VERNON – After the passage of using the SB2 format for future meetings Tuesday, 116 Mont Vernon residents saw what would be the last traditional-style town meeting for the Mont Vernon School District barring any future changes away from SB2. The three-hour meeting saw passage of all but one article and the proposals of seven amendments, with only one succeeding. That amendment came in a motion by Mont Vernon Selectman John Quinlan to add $61,000 instead of $30,000 in an article to appropriate money for the School Property Maintenance Trust Fund. The issue was largely seen as a procedural motion since the School Board and Budget Committee wished to transfer money into it from the Mont Vernon School Land Capital Reserve Fund but could not legally do so. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:55 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/667442-308/voters-say-no-to-road-bond.html BEDFORD – Voters denied the $30 million road bond, which town council members, the town manager and the director of public works called “high priority.” The warrant article was denied Tuesday by a vote of 1,868 to 1,966 and required a two-thirds vote to pass. It would have involved a roughly 5 percent tax increase in 2011 and a 3 percent increase in 2014 to complete the current backlog of road work, which is estimated at $29.4 million. Bedford has 190 miles of roadway with 55 considered, by Public Works Director Jim Stanford, to be in need of full repair. Other warrant articles denied by voters included Zoning Amendment 1, which was proposed by the Planning Board. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/667443-308/school-district-moderator-active-in-towns-affairs.html BEDFORD – Ryk Bullock, the longtime school district moderator, won’t see his term end. Bullock beat Town Councilor Michael Scanlon by a vote of 2,145-1,529 to maintain the three-year position. “Being a moderator is not a part-time job,” Bullock said a few weeks before the election. “You have to be there when your constituents need you.” For the three-year term School Board seat, Scott Earnshaw beat Bill Foote 2,202-1,332. Unopposed candidate Brenda Bernard was elected for the school district treasurer position with 3,113 votes, while Lori Radke, who also ran unopposed, was named school district clerk with 3,186 votes. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/667444-308/salary-increases-denied-across-the-board-in.html BEDFORD – Teachers in the district won’t be seeing a salary increase next year. Voters denied increases for teachers, custodial and support staff during Tuesday’s elections. The $7.85 million McKelvie school renovations and capital improvement plan bond was also denied. The only warrant article approved by voters, outside of the acceptance of gifts, was the $58.36 million operating budget, with a vote of 2,817-1,029. This will increase the school portion of property tax bills by 81 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, adding $243 to the annual tax bill on a $300,000 home. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/667445-308/moderator-councilors-retain-seats.html BEDFORD – Town moderator Ryk Bullock not only held another successful election, but he beat out Town Councilor Michael Scanlon to keep his position. As Bullock ended Tuesday night’s elections by announcing his win for the town moderator position by a vote of 2,211 to 1,399, spectators congratulated him. As the school district and town moderator, Bullock helped decrease the wait time at the Bedford election polls by more than two hours, pushing it to become the fastest processing location in the state. “Someone came up to me and said they lived in Bedford for 25 years and never could vote on a lunch break before,” Bullock said during an interview a few weeks ago. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/667463-308/vote-lures-only-about-a-quarter-of.html BROOKLINE – A lackluster election with only five contests in 18 open town and School Board seats drew a lackluster response: Barely a quarter of Brookline voters cast ballots Tuesday. Incumbents Clarence Farwell and Jack Flanagan won the two open three-year seats on the Board of Selectmen, defeating John J. Carr, who ran unsuccessfully for the board last year. The contest for road agent, a one-year seat that for years has been occupied by Jerry Farwell, pitted the incumbent against challenger Paul Cambray, who lost to Farwell 524-382. And there were two candidates for a three-year seat on the Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School Board, where incumbent Fred Hubert, who got 425 votes to challenger William Newsham’s 305. Jim Solinas won a three-year seat on the cooperative Budget Committee, and James Murphy won a three-year seat for moderator, handily beating Harry Haytayan 502-325. Overall, 911 ballots were cast, roughly 26 percent of the town’s registered voters. Newcomer Ernie Pistor was the only candidate for the three-year seat on the School Board, which opened when longtime board member Marcia Farwell retired. Christopher Adams, Patricia Lynch and Betty Hall ran unopposed for the three open one-year seats on the school Finance Committee. And if Marcia Farwell, who served 30 years on the School Board, was hoping for a smooth exit from town politics, she may be in for a surprise. Farwell won the school clerk race with 19 write-in votes. Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/667465-308/voters-to-decide-co-op-budget.html HOLLIS – Voters who attend the annual Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School District meeting on Wednesday will be asked to approve an operating budget of $18.45 million, recommended by the district’s Budget Committee, but not the School Board. The difference of opinion is likely to spark debate: During the March public hearing, for example, officials stopped taking public comments at 11:30 p.m., more than four hours after the meeting had begun. But they invited the public to remain and listen as the board continued to talk. At that meeting, the School Board proposed an $18.75 million budget to operate the district’s two schools and pay salaries and fringe benefits for 117 teachers and 83 support staff. Budget Committee members rejected that number, pointing to an existing $750,000 unreserved fund balance in the current budget. The Budget Committee has also suggested the School Board’s higher proposed budget would further increase the unreserved fund balance. Steve Pucci, chairman of the Budget Committee, said he and colleagues on the committee are concerned that the School Board is budgeting for possible contingencies, raising the bottom line at taxpayer expense. Pucci advocates appropriating funds based on actual spending and adding in the costs of salaries and benefits while maintaining as small a contingency as possible. He said that philosophy reflects financial practices in private business and industry. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at Hollis/Brookline High School. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/667465-308/voters-to-decide-co-op-budget.html HOLLIS – Voters who attend the annual Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School District meeting on Wednesday will be asked to approve an operating budget of $18.45 million, recommended by the district’s Budget Committee, but not the School Board. The difference of opinion is likely to spark debate: During the March public hearing, for example, officials stopped taking public comments at 11:30 p.m., more than four hours after the meeting had begun. But they invited the public to remain and listen as the board continued to talk. At that meeting, the School Board proposed an $18.75 million budget to operate the district’s two schools and pay salaries and fringe benefits for 117 teachers and 83 support staff. Budget Committee members rejected that number, pointing to an existing $750,000 unreserved fund balance in the current budget. The Budget Committee has also suggested the School Board’s higher proposed budget would further increase the unreserved fund balance. Steve Pucci, chairman of the Budget Committee, said he and colleagues on the committee are concerned that the School Board is budgeting for possible contingencies, raising the bottom line at taxpayer expense. Pucci advocates appropriating funds based on actual spending and adding in the costs of salaries and benefits while maintaining as small a contingency as possible. He said that philosophy reflects financial practices in private business and industry. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. at Hollis/Brookline High School. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/667466-308/proposed-school-budget-2.3-less.html HOLLIS – When they gather at Hollis/Brookline Middle School on Monday, voters will be asked to approve a Hollis School District operating budget that’s 2.3 percent lower than last year’s. The $11.38 million budget was recommended by the town’s Budget Committee. The fiscal 2011 budget- making process was particularly challenging, given an unanticipated mold problem at Hollis Upper Elementary School that must be fixed next year. The School Board is asking taxpayers to foot the bill for a one-year, $500,000 expense to repair the building, increasing the school portion of the next tax bill. The proposed budget includes $269,620 in increases over last year’s budget to cover contracts, teacher retirement, heating oil, health insurance premiums and a new maintenance position. By contrast, the board cut $377,463 from the 2011 budget by eliminating four classroom positions and a special education speech position. The School Board is asking voters to approve an energy grant, available through federal stimulus funds, that could save more than $23,000 in lighting costs. If voters approve the proposed school budget, they’ll see a one-time increase in their tax bills in spite of the decrease in the operating budget. The increase would reflect the one-time expense of fixing the upper elementary school. To save more than $200,000 in bonding fees and interest, the district is asking voters to pay a one-time, one-year increase of 72 cents per thousand of property valuation. The school portion of the tax bill, with the school repairs figured in, would be $6.81 per thousand of assessed property valuation, up 72 cents from last year’s rate. The school district meeting, slated for the Hollis/Brookline Middle school gym, will begin at 7 p.m. Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 24, or hbernstein@cabinet.com. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/667467-308/all-but-1-hollis-zoning-amendment-passes.html HOLLIS – A controversial attempt to change zoning laws to allow mulch and compost to be stored and sold at private businesses drew much of the attention in Hollis elections Tuesday. The motion, Amendment 6, was the only zoning change rejected: 928-828. The article was put on the ballot by petition. It arose from a battle between the town and Douglas Orde, who operates a “grandfathered” gravel pit on Depot Road. More than a year ago, the town said expanded operations at the site, including selling landscaping material such as bark mulch and compost, was a violation of zoning, and the town issued a cease-and-desist order. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/667473-308/town-meeting-election-results.html This chart shows results for many races in area elections Tuesday. Not all races are shown, if the seat was relatively minor or uncontested. Results are shown for a selection of warrant articles. Key: U - winner BROOKLINE TOWN OF BROOKLINE Board of Selectmen (2 seats for 3 years) John Carr - 480 U Clarence Farwell - 550 Jack Flanagan - 506 Road Agent (1 seat for 1 year) Paul Cambray - 382 U Gerald Farwell - 524 Finance Committee BROOKLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT School Board (1 seat for 3 years) U Ernie Pistor - 747 Moderator (1 seat for 3 years) U Peter Webb - 846 Treasurer U Russell Heinselman - 799 Clerk (write-in) Marcia Farwell - 19 HOLLIS TOWN OF HOLLIS Board of Selectmen (2 seats for 3 years) Spencer Stickney - 646 U Peter Band - 1077 U Mark Ledoux- 968 Budget Committee (2 seats for 3 years) Paul Cain - 350 U Tom Gehan - 526 U Christopher Hyde - 750 Robert Labednick - 376 Basil Mason - 446 Moderator (1 seat for 2 years) U Jim Belanger - 1435 Zoning Amendment 6 - Landscaping materials Yes - 828 No - 928 (failed) HOLLIS SCHOOL DISTRICT Hollis School Board (1 seat for 3 years) U Robert Mann - 1215 Hollis School Board (1 seat for 2 year) U Rosemary Mezzocchi (write-in) - 222 Moderator (1 seat for 1 year) U Harry Haytayan - 801 Drew Mason - 777 HOLLIS/BROOKLINE COOP SCHOOL DISTRICT H/B School Board (Hollis rep.) (2 seats for 3 years) U James O’Shea - 774 U Steve Simons - 803 Bill Beauregard - 496 Heidi Cadwell - 671 Budget Committee (Hollis) (2 seats for 3 years) U Steve Pucci - 1084 U Darlene Mann - 1076 H/B School Board (Brookline rep.) (1 seat for 3 years) William Newsham - 305 U Fred Hubert - 425 Budget Committee (Brookline) (1 seat for 3 years) U Jim Colinas - 520 Christopher Adams -289 School Moderator (both towns) (1 seat for 3 years) Harry Haytayan - B 325, H 1172 U James Murphy - B 502, H 1209 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/667473-308/town-meeting-election-results.html This chart shows results for many races in area elections Tuesday. Not all races are shown, if the seat was relatively minor or uncontested. Results are shown for a selection of warrant articles. Key: U - winner BROOKLINE TOWN OF BROOKLINE Board of Selectmen (2 seats for 3 years) John Carr - 480 U Clarence Farwell - 550 Jack Flanagan - 506 Road Agent (1 seat for 1 year) Paul Cambray - 382 U Gerald Farwell - 524 Finance Committee BROOKLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT School Board (1 seat for 3 years) U Ernie Pistor - 747 Moderator (1 seat for 3 years) U Peter Webb - 846 Treasurer U Russell Heinselman - 799 Clerk (write-in) Marcia Farwell - 19 HOLLIS TOWN OF HOLLIS Board of Selectmen (2 seats for 3 years) Spencer Stickney - 646 U Peter Band - 1077 U Mark Ledoux- 968 Budget Committee (2 seats for 3 years) Paul Cain - 350 U Tom Gehan - 526 U Christopher Hyde - 750 Robert Labednick - 376 Basil Mason - 446 Moderator (1 seat for 2 years) U Jim Belanger - 1435 Zoning Amendment 6 - Landscaping materials Yes - 828 No - 928 (failed) HOLLIS SCHOOL DISTRICT Hollis School Board (1 seat for 3 years) U Robert Mann - 1215 Hollis School Board (1 seat for 2 year) U Rosemary Mezzocchi (write-in) - 222 Moderator (1 seat for 1 year) U Harry Haytayan - 801 Drew Mason - 777 HOLLIS/BROOKLINE COOP SCHOOL DISTRICT H/B School Board (Hollis rep.) (2 seats for 3 years) U James O’Shea - 774 U Steve Simons - 803 Bill Beauregard - 496 Heidi Cadwell - 671 Budget Committee (Hollis) (2 seats for 3 years) U Steve Pucci - 1084 U Darlene Mann - 1076 H/B School Board (Brookline rep.) (1 seat for 3 years) William Newsham - 305 U Fred Hubert - 425 Budget Committee (Brookline) (1 seat for 3 years) U Jim Colinas - 520 Christopher Adams -289 School Moderator (both towns) (1 seat for 3 years) Harry Haytayan - B 325, H 1172 U James Murphy - B 502, H 1209 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/668349-196/voters-deny-melendy-pond--homeowners-lease.html BROOKLINE – There will be no extension for people who want to stay in their private camps on town owned land along Melendy Pond a little longer. Voters who attended the annual Town Meeting on Wednesday night at Captain Samuel Douglass Academy denied a petition warrant article to continue the private leases at Melendy Pond for 30 years, with an option of an additional 30 years. The vote means the homeowners will be forced to vacate their properties before their leases end. The town has been decreasing property assessments on the pond and putting aside funds to tear down structures that remain after the leases expire. The town owns the land where roughly 27 summer homes are situated. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/668350-196/voters-approve-town-hall-repairs.html HOLLIS – Town Meeting voters on Wednesday night approved repairs to Town Hall and some cleanup around Flints Pond, but rejected a collective bargaining agreement with police, fire and communications employees. Those were only three out of 10 warrant articles, and by the time they were dealt with, it was 11:35 p.m. As a result, Moderator Jim Squires recessed the meeting until Thursday night. Still on the agenda were the town’s operating budget and petition articles involving gay marriage and the government’s role in the Sept. 11 tragedy. Selectman Peter Band urged voters to approve the Town Hall repairs. “The roof is in terrible condition; it’s leaking and could collapse under a snow load,” he said, and the clock tower is filled with rot, and could collapse in a the wind. The special warrant article asked taxpayers to approve $400,000 worth of work, which would be a one-time, one-year increase, rather than a bond that would have included interest and other costs. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:54 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/666554-196/voters-pass-amended-1.9m-budget.html MONT VERNON – Gay marriage, budgets and fire trucks dominated Town Meeting on Tuesday night for the more than 100 residents who showed up at Mont Vernon Village School. In elections during the day, voters returned Town Clerk Jeannette Vinton to her job in the only contested race in the school or town. Voters also decided to switch the Mont Vernon School District from traditional town meeting to SB2, which means warrant articles are discussed in February and then voted on by ballot in March, instead of handled all at once in a traditional annual meeting. Soon after the evening began Tuesday, discussion skipped ahead to Article 12, a resolution asking to allow citizens to vote on what constitutes marriage, due to a request that it be decided by secret ballot rather than a show of hands. Slightly more than an hour and half later, it was announced that the non-binding measure passed, 83 -69. “(Gay marriage) is a cultural change and the people have a right to vote,” state Rep. Bill O’Brien said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/666202-308/amherst-passes-15m-road-bond.html AMHERST – Voters have apparently had enough of bouncing and banging their way along Amherst’s roads, as 1,939 of them – 160 more than the needed 60 percent majority – gave the town the green light Tuesday to spend $15 million on a multiyear project to repair or rebuild about 23 miles of roads. Voters also approved the proposed $9.76 million operating budget, 1,888-1,039. It represents an increase of just $31,000 over the current budget and will add 2 cents to the town portion of residents’ property tax rate. But two other major articles on the ballot – one calling for $2.25 million to buy and preserve open space and the other a petition article asking for $625,000 to buy recreational space to replace Cemetery Fields, fared far worse, failing by roughly two-to-one and three-to-one respectively. As for the closely watched selectman’s race, two-term incumbent George Infanti retained one of the two open seats with 1,408 votes, while outgoing Amherst School Board member Dwight Brew secured the other with 1,419 votes. Coming in third was former longtime Selectman Marilyn Peterman with 1,099 votes. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/666204-308/1.7-million-milford-school-addition-approved.html MILFORD – Voters approved an addition to the Jacques School but turned down the School District’s operating budget Tuesday The $1.7 million four-classroom addition, which will give the school more space to accommodate public kindergarten, is contingent on the state funding 75 percent. Milford’s share, $438,000, will have a first-year tax impact in 2011 of 1 cent per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which will go up over the remaining nine years of the bond to about 7 cents. Last year, the project received a majority vote but failed to get the required 60 percent. The original $35.3 million school operating budget had been increased by $419,451 at the school Deliberative Session in February, and voters said they wanted to return staff hours that the School Board had trimmed from the original budget. Tuesday’s defeat means a default budget of $35.4 million, a budget that is slightly more than the School Board’s original budget, will go into effect. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/666205-308/amherst-oks-23.4m-school-operating-budget.html AMHERST – Voters on Tuesday filled an open, uncontested Amherst School Board seat with more than 200 write-in votes for longtime resident Lucienne Foulks, who will join incumbent Peg Bennett, who ran unopposed. Voters also approved the district’s proposed $23.4 million operating budget, 1,561 to 1,127. The Amherst district covers the town’s elementary and middle schools. The new budget is roughly two-thirds of 1 percent above last year’s. As for the Souhegan Cooperative District, which is voted on by Amherst and Mont Vernon residents, Amherst voters gave a thumbs-up to the proposed $18.2 million operating budget, 1,618 to 1,299, while Mont Vernon voted against the Souhegan budget, 193-219. Overall, the budget passed with 1,811 yes votes to 1,518 no votes. The Souhegan board had no contested races; incumbents Steve Coughlan and Dana Redmond will retain their seats. The operating budget, which is about 1 percent more than last year’s, means Mont Vernon residents will pay roughly 10 cents more on the school portion of their property tax bills, while the increase for Amherst residents is slightly less. Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 31, or dshalhoup@cabinet.com. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/666207-308/fireambulance-buy-shot-down.html MILFORD – Plans to build a fire/ambulance facility on School Street suffered a setback on Election Day as voters rejected a $850,000 warrant article to buy land adjacent to the current firehouse. The item, Article 4, needed a 60 percent vote, but didn’t even receive a majority Tuesday. It would have allowed the town to bond up to $850,000 to buy four lots adjacent to the School Street fire station for an eventual expansion of the facility, which would have cost $6.6 million. There is general agreement that the fire and ambulance services need more space, but critics said the entire project should be offered at once, while others said this is the wrong time to build a new facility. In other items on a long ballot, voters said no to Fourth of July fireworks, an Osgood Road sidewalk and bike lane project and Granite Town Rail Trail improvements, but gave their OK to improvements to Kaley Park. Milford’s $37,137 share of the Souhegan Valley Transportation Collaborative bus for non-emergency medical appointments passed easily. Voters also approved spending for local social services, the Pumpkin Festival, holiday decorations and plantings, summer bank concerts and parades. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/666245-308/mont-vernon-oks-budget-sb2.html MONT VERNON – Gay marriage, budgets and fire trucks dominated Town Meeting on Tuesday night for the more than 100 residents who showed up at Mont Vernon Village School. In elections during the day, voters returned Town Clerk Jeannette Vinton to her job in the only contested race in the school or town. And voters also decided to switch the Mont Vernon School District from traditional town meeting to SB2, in which items are discussed in February and then voted on by ballot in March, instead of handled all at once in a traditional annual meeting. Soon after the evening began Tuesday, discussion skipped ahead to Article 12, a resolution asking to allow citizens to vote on what constitutes marriage, due to a request that it be decided by secret ballot rather than a show of hands. Slightly more than an hour and half later, it was announced that the non-binding measure passed, 83 -69. “(Gay marriage) is a cultural change and the people have a right to vote,” state Rep. Bob O’Brien said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/666246-308/lyndeborough-voters-approve-historic-district.html LYNDEBOROUGH – Donnie Sawain is the town’s new selectman. He defeated incumbent Lorraine Strube 169-92, in town elections Tuesday. Paul Martin got 74 votes. In the only other contest on the Lyndeborough ballot, Sally Curran defeated Nancy Tobi for supervisor of the checklist, 183-116. Voters approved a new historic district for Lyndeborough Center, 245-91, and established a commission to oversee it 222-106. The district covers the area from the Center Cemetery to the United Church and includes no private homes. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/666247-308/zoning-amendments-get-nod-in-wilton.html WILTON – Steven J. McDonough is the new selectman, defeating Robert R. Duquette 255-203, in Tuesday’s election. Both men are political newcomers, replacing Dan Donovan, who chose not to run again. The only other contest on the ballot was for sewer commissioner. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/merrimackjournalmerrimacknews/667182-308/election-ballot-has-been-set.html MERRIMACK – The filing period closed Friday in Merrimack, with plenty of contested races on tap for school and town positions. Dan Dwyer, Jacqueline Flood, Thomas Lynam and Raymond A. Whipple will vie for two open seats on the Merrimack Town Council. (Incumbents Nancy Harrington and Tim Tenhave announced recently they would not seek re-election.) Dwyer has been a frequent candidate in municipal races during recent years, running for council in 2006, 2008 and 2009. Dwyer, who also ran for school board in 2007, has been unsuccessful in those bids. Flood is the chairwoman of the town’s Watson Park Committee, and Lynam, a former military man, also ran for council last year. Five candidates are seeking two open seats on the school board, places being vacated by Emily Coburn and Rose Robertson-Smith. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/merrimackjournalmerrimacknews/667183-308/candidates-night-forum-scheduled.html The Exchange Club of Merrimack has announced that a candidate’s night for the School Board and Town Council will be at the Merrimack High School Little Theater on March 29 at 7 p.m. The program will begin with a short statement by each candidate. This will be followed by their answers to questions submitted by the audience. A short closing statement by each candidate will close the meeting. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665004-196/brookline-voters-fail-to-turn-out-at.html BROOKLINE – A lackluster election with only five contests in 18 open town and school board seats drew a lackluster response: Barely a quarter of Brookline voters cast ballots Tuesday. Incumbents Clarence Farwell and Jack Flanagan won the two open three-year seats on the Board of Selectmen, defeating John J. Carr, who ran unsuccessfully for the board last year. The contest for road agent, a one-year seat that for years has been occupied by Jerry Farwell, pitted the incumbent against challenger Paul Cambray, who lost to Farwell, 524-382. And there were two candidates for a three-year seat on the Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School Board, where incumbent Fred Hubert, who got 425 votes to votes to challenger William Newsham’s 305. Jim Solinas won a three-year seat on the cooperative Budget Committee, and Brookline resident James Murphy won a three-year seat for moderator, handily beating Harry Haytayan, 502-325. Overall, 911 ballots were cast, roughly 26 percent of the town’s registered voters. Newcomer Ernie Pistor was the only candidate for the three-year seat on the School Board, which opened when longtime board member Marcia Farwell retired. Christopher Adams, Patricia Lynch and Betty Hall ran unopposed for the three open, one-year, seats on the school Finance Committee. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665602-196/marriage-article-stays-on-town-ballot.html MERRIMACK – It took two secret ballots and two failed amendments, but voters at Tuesday’s Deliberative Session ultimately left a petition article unchanged asking residents to define marriage on next month’s town ballot. The failed changes to the article mean voters will weigh in on Election Day to decide whether to amend the state constitution to define marriage. The non- binding resolution will be forwarded to the Legislature. The move was spearheaded by opponents to the state law allowing gay marriage, which took effect Jan. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665705-196/approval-of-articles-may-put-end-to.html HUDSON – When the results were finally tallied Tuesday night, Joanne Radziewicz was excited and relieved. Voters approved two zoning articles that Radziewicz sees as clearing the way for a 10-foot fence already standing along the yard of her Burns Hill Road home. “We’re elated. We’re overwhelmed,” Radziewicz said. One article allows 8-foot fences to be put up without a permit and only requires planning board approval for fences over 10 feet. Another article, this one submitted by petition, directs the town to drop its lawsuit against the Radziewicz over the fence. Joanne Radziewicz credited her children, Becky, Peter and Megan, for getting the word out, particularly via a Facebook group that’s garnered more than 500 online friends. “They stepped up and let the town know they didn’t like what was going on,” Joanne Radziewicz said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665706-196/milford-rejects-school-street-fire-station-expansion.html MILFORD – Plans to build a fire/ambulance facility on School Street suffered a setback on Election Day as voters rejected a $850,000 warrant article to buy land adjacent to the current firehouse. The item, Article 4, needed a 60 percent vote but did not even receive a majority. It would have allowed the town to bond up to $850,000 to buy four lots adjacent to the School Street fire station for an eventual expansion of the facility, which would have cost $6.6 million. There is general agreement that the fire and ambulance services need more space, but critics said the project should be offered at once, while others said this is the wrong time to build a new facility. In other items on a long ballot, voters said no to Fourth of July fireworks and to an Osgood Road sidewalk and bike lane project and to Granite Town Rail Trail improvements, but gave improvements to Kaley Park. Milford’s $37,137 share of the Souhegan Valley Transportation Collaborative bus for non-emergency medical appointments passed easily. Voters also approved spending for local social services, the Pumpkin Festival, holiday decorations and plantings, summer bank concerts and parades. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665707-196/students-get-lesson-in-civic-responsibility.html HUDSON – Most towns would kill for the turnout Alvirne High School delivered this year. About 110 Alvirne students were bused to the Lions Hall Community Center during their Tuesday American Government class where they were able to cast votes on the school and town ballots. Alvirne has been bringing 18-year-old seniors to the polls for about five years, Principal Bryan Lane said, where they register to vote and enter the voting booth for the first time. “It’s part of people’s civic responsibility and becoming part of the community,” Lane said. “We feel it’s not only a privilege but a responsibility to get involved. We just feel it’s a really important civics lesson.” The last presidential election stirred a lot of interest in voting at the school, as it did throughout the country, American Government teacher Jeffrey Bourque said. He’s been organizing the voting trips for the past two years. “My involvement came from the excitement kids had during the presidential election last year,” he said. American Government is a senior year requirement that focuses mostly on the role of the federal government. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665723-196/teachers-union-granted-4-year-deal.html HUDSON – Teachers reversed their fortune at the polls this year, securing, on a second try, taxpayer approval of a new contract. Voters on Tuesday granted the teachers union a four-year deal that will give educators no raises retroactive to this year but salary increases for the next three school years. The measure passed, 1,714 to 1,676. Voters also passed a proposed $42.88 million operating budget for the district. The proposal was approved 2,364 to 1,988. Also, two three-year seats were up for grabs on the School Board, and residents Lars Christiansen and Patricia Langlais came out on top. The vote tally was as follows: incumbent Patricia Langlais, 1,636; Lars Christiansen, 1,306; Melissa Tobin, 1,305; and Donna Straight, 1,127. Before Tuesday’s vote, school officials said they proposed as lean a budget as possible so that voters would have only the collective bargaining agreements in their focus. “It’s a fairly conservative budget,” Assistant Superintendent of Schools Mary Ellen Ormond said early this year at the School District public hearing. “We tried to keep the budget as level as possible to move forward with the CBAs.” With the passage of the teachers contract, educators won’t receive any raises for the current school year, but they will collectively receive a $587,094 in increases for the next school year, $382,545 in 2011 and $635,154 in 2012. Collective bargaining agreements for administrative personnel and other unionized employees failed at the polls last year, but those union groups had luck this year. A contract for the school district leadership team passed 1,708 to 1,618, and a contract for paraprofessionals and other personnel passed 1,886 to 1,455. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665724-196/voters-turn-down-compost-change.html HOLLIS – A controversial attempt to change zoning laws to allow mulch and compost to be stored and sold at private businesses drew much of the attention in Hollis elections Tuesday. The motion, Amendment 6, was the only zoning change rejected: 928 no votes to 828 yes. The article was put on the ballot by petition. It arose from a battle between the town and Douglas Orde, who operates a “grandfathered” gravel pit on Depot Road. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665725-196/write-in-snags-board-seat.html AMHERST – Voters on Tuesday filled an open, uncontested Amherst School Board seat with more than 200 write-in votes for longtime resident Lucienne Foulks, who will join incumbent Peg Bennett, who ran unopposed. Voters also approved the district’s proposed $23.4 million operating budget, 1,561 to 1,127. The Amherst district covers the town’s elementary and middle schools. The new budget is roughly two-thirds of 1 percent above last year’s. As for the Souhegan Cooperative District, which is voted on by Amherst and Mont Vernon residents, Amherst voters gave a thumbs-up to the proposed $18.2 million operating budget, 1,618 to 1,299. While Mont Vernon’s vote wasn’t available at press time, the budget is likely to pass when all the numbers are in. The Souhegan board had no contested races; incumbents Steve Coughlan and Dana Redmond will retain their seats. By passing the operating budget, which is about 1 percent more than last year’s, Mont Vernon residents will pay roughly 10 cents more on the school portion of their property tax bills, while the increase for Amherst residents is slightly less. Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 31, or dshalhoup@cabinet.com. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665726-196/school-addition-accepted-operating-budget-not.html MILFORD – Voters approved an addition to the Jacques School but turned down the School District’s operating budget Tuesday. The $1.7 million four-classroom addition, which will give the school more space to accommodate public kindergarten, is contingent on the state funding 75 percent. Milford’s share, $438,000, will have a first-year tax impact in 2011 of 1 cent per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which will go up over the remaining nine years of the bond to about 7 cents. Last year, the project received a majority vote but failed to get the required 60 percent. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665727-196/amherst-paves-way.html AMHERST – Voters have apparently had enough of bouncing and banging their way along town roads, as 1,939 of them gave the town the green light Tuesday to spend $15 million on a multi-year project to repair or rebuild about 23 miles of roads – 160 more than the needed 60 percent majority. Voters also approved the proposed $9.76 million operating budget, 1,888 to 1,039. It represents an increase of just $31,000 over the current budget and will add 2 cents to the town portion of residents’ property tax rate. But two other major articles on the ballot – one calling for $2.25 million to purchase and preserve open space and the other a petition article asking for $625,000 to purchase recreational space to replace Cemetery Fields fared far worse, failing by roughly two-to-one and three-to-one, respectively. As for the closely watched selectman’s race, two-term incumbent George Infanti retained one of the two open seats with 1,408 votes, while outgoing Amherst School Board member Dwight Brew secured the other with 1,419 votes. Coming in third was former longtime Selectman Marilyn Peterman with 1,099 votes. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665747-196/school-budget-okd.html LITCHFIELD – Voters on Tuesday were in a more generous mood than last year. They approved a teachers contract after rejecting a similar proposal last time around. The three-year contract, retroactive to this school year, passed, 936 to 734. Residents also approved a $20.53 million operating budget and placed two newcomers on the School Board. Residents Mary Prindle and John York each won three-year terms on the board. Prindle received 1,009 votes, and York got 768 votes. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/665748-196/voters-approve-town-administrator.html LITCHFIELD – Residents welcomed the idea of a town administrator but rejected the concept of a committee that would investigate complaints of unethical behavior by anyone who works or volunteers for the town. On Tuesday, voters also passed a budget, elected new members to the Board of Selectmen and budget committee, and re-elected a fire chief. The ballot question that undoubtedly will make the most difference to Litchfield’s government was the one calling for the creation of the town administrator position. The measure squeaked past the approval threshold, 830 votes to 808. The administrator position will provide day-to-day leadership for town departments, helping them to reach goals set by selectmen. The selectmen have stressed the need for an administrator, saying they’re not available every hour of the day to run the town. The town will raise $58,100 in salary and benefits for the new position, for July through year’s end. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/659562-196/brookline-approves-9m-budget.html BROOKLINE – Brookline voters approved an increase of about $500,000, or about 6 percent, in the Brookline School District budget on Thursday night. The $9 million operating budget passed by a show of hands. Coupled with an expected decline in outside revenue, the school portion of the tax rate is expected to rise at least 86 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $9.35, adding $258 to the annual tax bill of a $300,000 home. Officials say the increase is the result of contracts and salaries and increases in health insurance, plus fuel costs and a pay adjustment for substitute teachers. The tax rate also depends on townwide property valuation: If values remain flat, so does the tax rate; if values increase, the tax rate goes down, typically just a bit, because the tax burden is spread over more homeowners. Before the vote on the budget, several taxpayers took turns at the microphone asking officials questions about teacher raises and the effect of a 2008 state law, the Evergreen Clause, on professional and support staff contracts. The Evergreen Clause requires that the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, excluding cost of living adjustments, continue after a contract expires until a new accord is reached. “Increasing the budget is outrageous. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:49 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/659571-196/2-hudson-selectmen-candidates-dont-foresee-cutting.html EDITOR’S NOTE: The Telegraph has asked candidates in major contested races in area towns to provide short biographies and answer a question. Answers from Souhegan Valley towns have appeared in our weekly newspapers and can be seen on the paper’s Town Meeting Web site. Hudson and Litchfield answers will run in The Telegraph. Four people (Richard Reeve has withdrawn, although his name remains on the ballot) are running for a pair of three-years seats on the Hudson Board of Selectmen. They were asked: “Given the financial times, list an example of a program that could be cut to save money and an example of a school program that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way.” Roger Coutu: We are very fortunate in Hudson to be able to afford all of the services we provide. I cannot foresee cutting any service in the near future. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:49 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/656970-308/two-running-for-brookline-seat.html Two people are running for one three-year term on the Hollis/Brookline Cooper from Brookline. They were asked to answer one question: “Does this bad economy change the way a school district negotiates contracts with its employees?” William Newsham: Of course it does. To answer no, you’d have to think that the school budget is somehow isolated from any of the effects of a bad economy. As a community we’re all in this together, residents and school professionals alike. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/656972-308/flints-pond-cleanup-at-issue-for-town.html HOLLIS – Voters who attend the annual Town Meeting Wednesday will be asked to decide whether to let the town take $106,000 from a reserve fund created 16 years ago to cover some of the cost of cleaning up Flints Pond. The remainder of the cleanup money would come from the state, local fundraising and town conservation funds, according to the residents group Flint Pond Improvement Association. By contrast, a petition article that follows asks voters to discontinue the Flints Pond capital reserve fund and put the money in the town’s general fund. The article, No. 7 on the warrant, is supported by the Board of Selectmen and recommended by the Budget Committee. It hasn’t received the endorsement of the town’s Conservation Commission. “Cleaning up that pond is justified because the state, the DES, conservation, all these experts recommend it,” Selectmen Chairman Vahrij Manoukian said. “We have a body of water. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/656975-308/3-vying-for-2-board-seats.html Three people are running for two three-year seats on the Brookline Board of Selectmen. They were asked to discuss the effect of the economy on town operations, including how a town should negotiate contracts with its employees. Jack Flanagan: It must also consider what the taxpayer can afford. In today’s economy, the Board of Selectmen has had to look at every expense, with a concern for the current economic slowdown and still providing essential town services. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/657025-308/teacher-raises-school-fix-call.html BEDFORD – Voters on Tuesday will decided on teacher and staff salary increases, along with a proposed $7.85 million bond to fix McKelvie Intermediate School. Residents will head to Bedford High School on Tuesday to vote on the proposed 2010-11 Bedford School District Budget. The proposed operating budget is $59.8 million, compared to the current of $57.6 million. If this budget is passed, it will increase the school portion of property tax bills by 81 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation, adding $243 to the annual tax bill on a $300,000 home. Aside from the operating budget, four major warrant articles will be on the ballot. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/657027-308/its-for-voters-to-decide-on-budget.html BEDFORD – Election Day is almost here. After two public hearings, a budgetary town meeting and lots of discussion, residents will finally cast their votes on the proposed 2010 municipal town operating budget. “There’s been plenty of opportunities and plenty of debate, and at the end of the day the voters decide what they want and how they want the town to be,” Town Councilor Michael Scanlon said at the Jan. 27 public hearing. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/657033-308/councilor-vies-for-2-seats-of-moderators.html BEDFORD – On Tuesday, the town and School District moderator takes on a town councilor for his open seats. Ryk Bullock, who has held the School District moderator seat for 15 years and the town moderator position for two, will challenge Michael Scanlon, a town councilor of nine years, for both seats. The School District moderator seat is a three-year term, while the town moderator is a two-year elected position. Neither candidate voiced a preference to being elected to one seat versus the other but both voiced their stance on the election process. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/657033-308/councilor-vies-for-2-seats-of-moderators.html BEDFORD – On Tuesday, the town and School District moderator takes on a town councilor for his open seats. Ryk Bullock, who has held the School District moderator seat for 15 years and the town moderator position for two, will challenge Michael Scanlon, a town councilor of nine years, for both seats. The School District moderator seat is a three-year term, while the town moderator is a two-year elected position. Neither candidate voiced a preference to being elected to one seat versus the other but both voiced their stance on the election process. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:43 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/657657-196/school-board-candidate-gets-chance-to-weigh.html EDITOR’S NOTE: The Telegraph neglected to include the response from Ralph Boehm among candidate biographies and answers to one question, printed in Thursday’s Telegraph. He is one of four people running for a pair of three-year seats. His material is below: Given the financial times, list an example of a school program that could be cut to save money and an example of a school program that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way. Litchfield is facing a severe financial crisis in the next few years. We may be losing as much as $2 million in state aid. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:45 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/658310-308/where-to-vote-tuesday.html Hollis: Hollis/Brookline High School, 24 Cavalier Court, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Brookline: Douglass Academy, 24 Townsend Hill Road, 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:45 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/658310-308/where-to-vote-tuesday.html Hollis: Hollis/Brookline High School, 24 Cavalier Court, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Brookline: Douglass Academy, 24 Townsend Hill Road, 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:45 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655610-308/the-bond-is-back-in-amherst.html AMHERST – Of the two dozen or so articles on this year’s town warrant, none is as visible – and indeed, palpable – to residents and their vehicles as Article 22, the Road Reconstruction Bond. The bond, which requires a three-fifths majority, or at least 60 percent of the vote to pass, asks voters to approve $15 million for a several-year road project involving roughly 23 miles of town roads that have been identified as most in need of repair or reconstruction. Should the bond pass, the town could spend no more than $4 million a year, according to its wording. It would raise property tax bills roughly 23 cents per thousand of valuation for the first year. “This is the (article) that affects the greatest number of people, both (residents) and those from out of town who use our roads,” town administrator Gary MacGuire said last week. If the bond doesn’t pass, he said, “we won’t be able to do (the work) right; we’ll only be able to Band-Aid the most unsafe spots on an emergency basis.” Town public works director Bruce Berry said the importance in being given the green light to start the project lies not only in the immediate need to fix poor roads, but also so crews can begin tending to good roads so they don’t deteriorate into bad roads and start the cycle all over. “We’ve been underfunded for some time for roads,” Berry said, adding that a report compiled by the Road Funding Analysis Committee after its formation two years ago identified problems “that we didn’t have enough money to do anything about.” “I think everyone agrees that lots of roads are in tough shape,” he added. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetletters/655616-308/answers-to-road-bond-questions.html Editor’s Note: Bill Overholt, chairman of the Amherst Road Commission, has submitted the following answers to frequently asked questions about the road bond facing voters at the upcoming election. The proposal, Article 22, calls for $15 million for a multi-year road reconstruction and repair project. It would allow selectmen to spend the $15 million over several years, with the stipulation that no more than $4 million be spent in any one year, to reconstruct or repair dozens of roads totaling about 23 miles. Why is reconstruction of some roads necessary? Reconstruction of sections of 54 roads in Amherst, totaling about 23 miles, is necessary because those roads do not have proper base materials and proper drainage, and will not respond to normal maintenance. Water infiltrates into the poor road base though the cracks and potholes on the surface, and is not carried away because of improper drainage (water even gets pushed up into the bad road base!). Then the water freezes, causing frost heaves, which further break up the road surface, allowing more water to run into the base. Putting a topcoat of asphalt or sealing the cracks will not solve the problem, since the uncorrected base and drainage will allow the cycle to repeat. Reconstruction is the only solution that works. What does “reconstruction” mean? There are two types of reconstruction that will be done, depending on the severity of the conditions. A good road is “good” three feet down. The first is reclaiming. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655653-308/voters-to-decide-fate-of-fees.html MILFORD – Milford voters go to the polls on March 9 to decide on a myriad of issues ranging from land purchases to sewer upgrades to fireworks displays on the Fourth of July, but one of the most contentious issues can be found in Article 28, an article which would put cable access franchise fees into a revolving fund for public access television channels. In 1984, Congress passed the Cable Franchise Policy Act, which mandates cable companies give 3 percent of their revenues to towns in exchange for the right to be the sole cable provider in a particular town. Milford co-mingles these funds along with other tax appropriations and uses them to help fund all town communications, from the public access channels to the town Web site. Article 28 on the town warrant would place these fees in the fund to be used to solely fund cable access channels. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655654-308/wilton-voters-discuss-funds--at-town.html WILTON – Voters at Town Meeting on Thursday, March 11, will address a number of topics in addition to the usual contributions to capital reserve funds. The proposed operating budget totals $3.96 million, which is about a 3 percent reduction from 2009. Special articles include $10,000 for an engineering study of the old reservoir dam, plus another $10,000 to be placed in a capital reserve fund for the eventual restoration or removal of the dam, depending on what the engineering study suggests. A new fence along the Maple Street side of Cooley Park is estimated at $7,500. Cooley Park is the area at the Western end of the Town Hall. Funds will come from the Cooley Park Improvement Project Capital Reserve Fund. Selectmen are asking that $20,000 be removed from the Town Hall Repair Project Fund to replace ceiling tiles and light fixtures in the courtroom and to begin addressing the mold problem in the building. Repair of the electrical, heating and ventilation systems and insultation improvements to the police station are estimated at $18,300. The library is asking for an additional $10,000 for repairs to the upstairs historical rooms. Equipment purchases include $7,500 for a new sander; $18,440 for various needs of the fire department; $40,000 for a new highway truck and plow. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655676-308/wilton-lyndeborough-co-op-school-board-3-year-seat.html Three candidates are running for a three-year seat from Wilton on the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School Board. The Telegraph asked them to answer a question: “How do you see the new, combined school district as an improvement over the old system, of three separate districts?  Harry Dailey: One of the most overlooked benefits that will result from the consolidation of the three school districts is the ability to provide a better more aligned educational experience for our children. It will allow for one governing body to make sure that curriculum is consistent and aligned from kindergarten through 12th grade regardless of which school/town our children attend. It will also allow us to better leverage our resources be it personnel, facilities, or financial. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655676-308/wilton-lyndeborough-co-op-school-board-3-year-seat.html Three candidates are running for a three-year seat from Wilton on the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School Board. The Telegraph asked them to answer a question: “How do you see the new, combined school district as an improvement over the old system, of three separate districts?  Harry Dailey: One of the most overlooked benefits that will result from the consolidation of the three school districts is the ability to provide a better more aligned educational experience for our children. It will allow for one governing body to make sure that curriculum is consistent and aligned from kindergarten through 12th grade regardless of which school/town our children attend. It will also allow us to better leverage our resources be it personnel, facilities, or financial. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655677-308/wilton-lyndeborough-co-op-1-year-seat.html Three candidates are running for a one-year seat from Wilton on the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School Board. They were asked to answer a question: “How do you see the new, combined school district as an improvement over the old system of three separate districts?” Richard Griffin: The common perception is that consolidation will save money; it will not. Part of the discussion at the meeting last year involved citing a study of 10 districts in New York that consolidated between 1986 and 1996; that study showed an average of 10 percent savings for the districts that consolidated. I obtained a copy of that study and was able to speak with representatives from the four most recent consolidations. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655677-308/wilton-lyndeborough-co-op-1-year-seat.html Three candidates are running for a one-year seat from Wilton on the Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School Board. They were asked to answer a question: “How do you see the new, combined school district as an improvement over the old system of three separate districts?” Richard Griffin: The common perception is that consolidation will save money; it will not. Part of the discussion at the meeting last year involved citing a study of 10 districts in New York that consolidated between 1986 and 1996; that study showed an average of 10 percent savings for the districts that consolidated. I obtained a copy of that study and was able to speak with representatives from the four most recent consolidations. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655678-308/milford-school-board-3-year-seat.html Four people are running for a pair of three-years seats on the Milford School board. The Cabinet asked them to answer this question: “Given the financial times, list an example of a school program that could be cut to save money and an example of a school program that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way. Please be as specific as possible.” Len Mannino If considering “cuts”, one question that should always be asked is, “What action can we take to reduce expenses that will have the least impact to the overall education of all students?” I would seek to identify a program that is not a part of the minimum requirements, but one, such as an elective program, that demonstrates the least amount of student interest; that if eliminated would have the least amount of impact to all students and reduce personnel costs that amount to tangible savings. With the exception to the activities that do not have any measurable student participation, it would be my position that co-curricular programs be spared from cuts. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/655679-308/lyndeborough-selectman-3-year-seat.html Three people are running for one three-year seat on the Lyndeborough Board of Selectmen. The Cabinet asked them to answer the question “Given the money constraints on local government, give an example of a town service that could or should be cut to save money and an example of a service that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way. Please be as specific as possible.” Lorraine Strube In Lyndeborough, the question is not what service can be cut over another, rather how do we meet the needs of the services we are obligated to provide at a cost the taxpayer can support? This is accomplished by establishing solid purchasing policies, utilizing the Capital Improvement Plan, (which anticipates and saves for larger projects) and working closely with the Budget Committee, which represents the voice of the taxpayer. Seeking out other revenue sources, such as grants, can be beneficial especially in areas of construction, renovation or equipment purchases, but not all are suitable. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/656454-196/budgetscontract-to-voters.html LITCHFIELD – Voters will consider a new teachers contract and whether to form an ethics committee or change the style of town government, among various issues and elections, when they reach the polls Tuesday. Those issues will join annual budget requests by the town and School District on the 2010 ballot, as well as elections for a variety of positions in both the town and School District government. The town proposes a $4.38 million operating budget. The School District proposes a $20.53 million operating budget. Officials from both entities say they are forwarding the leanest budgets possible. If the town and school budgets and all other articles pass, the combined town and school tax rate would increase about 35 cents, according to the town/school budget committee. At Deliberative Session last month, Selectman George Lambert told gathered taxpayers the proposed town operating budget was as trim as it could be, just $33,339 more than the 2009 default budget. The only unavoidable big expenses are the $162,500 cost to shut down the town incinerator and $18,500 for auditing that will bring the town’s books back into order, Lambert said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/656461-196/litchfield-school-board-hopefuls-weigh-what-to.html EDITOR’S NOTE: The Telegraph has asked candidates in major contested races in area towns to provide short biographies and answer a question. Answers from candidates in Souhegan Valley towns have appeared in our associated weekly newspapers for that region and can be seen on the paper’s Town Meeting Web site (www. nashuatelegraph.com/ townmeeting2010). Hudson and Litchfield answers will also run in The Telegraph. Four people are running for a pair of three-years seats on the Litchfield School Board. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/654952-196/petitions-pass-to-restore-teachers.html MERRIMACK – Two resident-driven petitions to restore teaching positions in the Merrimack School District passed untouched at Deliberative Session on Tuesday night. That means the last word on a high school math position and a four-member middle school team will belong to the voters, who head to the polls April 13. The teaching positions and the overall School District budget were most talked about at the Deliberative Session, attended by about 140 residents. They represented less than 1 percent of the town’s 18,000 registered voters. The controversy over the teachers began in December, when the School Board cut 17.5 positions, including four middle school teachers and a high school math teacher on a close 3-2 vote. A majority of the budget committee also supported those cuts, with declining enrollment and the economy as main factors. Residents petitioned the math and middle school positions back onto the warrant last month, with lots of folks expressing concern about what would happen to targeted instruction and the potential effect on standardized test scores. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:41 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/653905-196/brookline-will-weigh-proposed-9.02-million-district.html BROOKLINE – The town’s annual School District Meeting, slated for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Captain Samuel Douglass Academy, is the season opener for a series that begins this week and continues through April in some Greater Nashua communities. The proposed School District budget of $9.02 million reflects a continuing economic downturn and pressure on policy makers at every level to cut costs, make do and use fewer resources wherever possible. The budget for fiscal 2011, which begins July 1, is roughly $483,000 more than last year’s budget of $8.54 million. These funds cover the cost of operating the School District, including expenses negotiated in teacher and support staff contracts. The budget also holds the line on spending for textbooks, workbooks, library books and other materials. Budget increases are related to negotiated contracts, an adjustment to substitute teacher pay and a rise in fuel costs. Decreases, on the other hand, are the result of a $9,300 drop in special education costs and a $3,909 reduction in supply expenses. “We’ve been squeezing everything for the past two years, and there’s really nothing left to squeeze,” School Board Chairman David Partridge told officials and voters during last month’s public hearing on the proposed School District budget. Some of the savings the district expects to realize comes through an in-district preschool program started last year: by educating special needs students locally, the district is able to eliminate costs for transportation and programs run outside the community. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:41 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/651933-196/towns-could-switch-methods-of-voting.html To SB2, or not to SB2? In several New Hampshire towns, including Amherst and Mont Vernon, that is the question this election season. Ever since the 1995 passage of Senate Bill 2, which gave all towns and school districts the option to change the Town Meeting and School District Meeting form of government, residents and civic leaders have been debating which is best for their community: the traditional method, at which debate and voting happens at one meeting, or SB2, in which debate happens at Deliberative Session, and secret-ballot voting happens on Election Day, about a month later. Mont Vernon voters will decide at the polls on March 9 whether to adopt SB2, after three residents spearheaded a petition drive to get the question on the ballot. State SB2 guidelines require that all warrant articles calling for a change in a town or school district’s SB2 status be voted on at the polls, not in the town meeting. The petitioners, Tom and Norma McKinney and Jan Miller, presented their petition at the public school district hearing this month, saying they garnered 46 signatures but “probably could have gotten 200 or 300 more” in support of the measure. The situation is opposite in Amherst, where a petition article presented by resident Jack Kunkel asks voters to decide whether the town should ditch SB2 and return to traditional Town Meeting format. Amherst voters adopted SB2 shortly after it passed into law for the town, as well as the Souhegan Cooperative and Amherst school districts. Kunkel, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, said he filed the petition as an individual, but that many of his fellow members and other residents he’s talked to are in favor of scrapping SB2. “SB2 has many good goals, but I’ve spoken with people who have been in town politics off and on for 20 or 30 years, and most feel that it’s downgraded the quality of the conversation and decision-making we had with Town Meeting,” Kunkel said. As of last year, 63 towns and 73 school districts in New Hampshire have adopted SB2, according to state Department of Revenue Administration figures. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:39 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/651933-196/towns-could-switch-methods-of-voting.html To SB2, or not to SB2? In several New Hampshire towns, including Amherst and Mont Vernon, that is the question this election season. Ever since the 1995 passage of Senate Bill 2, which gave all towns and school districts the option to change the Town Meeting and School District Meeting form of government, residents and civic leaders have been debating which is best for their community: the traditional method, at which debate and voting happens at one meeting, or SB2, in which debate happens at Deliberative Session, and secret-ballot voting happens on Election Day, about a month later. Mont Vernon voters will decide at the polls on March 9 whether to adopt SB2, after three residents spearheaded a petition drive to get the question on the ballot. State SB2 guidelines require that all warrant articles calling for a change in a town or school district’s SB2 status be voted on at the polls, not in the town meeting. The petitioners, Tom and Norma McKinney and Jan Miller, presented their petition at the public school district hearing this month, saying they garnered 46 signatures but “probably could have gotten 200 or 300 more” in support of the measure. The situation is opposite in Amherst, where a petition article presented by resident Jack Kunkel asks voters to decide whether the town should ditch SB2 and return to traditional Town Meeting format. Amherst voters adopted SB2 shortly after it passed into law for the town, as well as the Souhegan Cooperative and Amherst school districts. Kunkel, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, said he filed the petition as an individual, but that many of his fellow members and other residents he’s talked to are in favor of scrapping SB2. “SB2 has many good goals, but I’ve spoken with people who have been in town politics off and on for 20 or 30 years, and most feel that it’s downgraded the quality of the conversation and decision-making we had with Town Meeting,” Kunkel said. As of last year, 63 towns and 73 school districts in New Hampshire have adopted SB2, according to state Department of Revenue Administration figures. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:39 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/649043-308/budgetary-meeting-slated.html BEDFORD – Community members will discuss a $30 million road bond and a $5 increase in town motor vehicle registrations at the upcoming Budgetary Town Meeting. The March 3 meeting will cover the proposed $24.37 million 2010 municipal budget, which stands with a tax rate of $4.13 per $1,000 of assessed value. Residents are invited to take part in the 7 p.m. meeting in the Bedford High School auditorium. During the second budget public hearing, which took place Jan. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:38 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/649060-308/meet-budget-committee-candidates.html Two people are running for one three-year seat representing Brookline on the Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School District budget committee. They were asked this question: In light of the financial problems for local governments, give an example of a service that could be cut to save money and an example of a service that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way. Please be as specific as possible. Jim Solinas: With all due respect, the term “financial problems” is the beginning of a conversation that begs the question “What are we talking about?” More specifically, fiscal responsibility is broad-based, and there are many dynamics at play when it comes to service. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:38 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/merrimackjournalmerrimacknews/646552-308/file-for-office-before-march-5.html The filing period for candidates in Merrimack opened Wednesday, Feb. 24, and closes Friday, March 5, at 5 p.m.. Here is the list of open positions for the town and school district: Town: Two town council members, three-year terms Two ethics committee members, three-year terms One library trustee, three-year term One trustee of trust funds, three-year term One supervisor of the checklist, six-year term One moderator, two-year term One treasurer, two-year term Candidates must file with the town clerk at Town Hall on Baboosic Lake Road to have their name placed on the ballot and must be a registered voter. Candidates for town council must have lived in Merrimack for at least a year. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:36 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/merrimackjournalmerrimacknews/646553-308/voters-get-sayon-town-budget.html MERRIMACK – Residents at the town deliberative session on March 9 will consider a town budget that has so far moved pretty quietly through the pipeline. Although some folks spoke in support of youth programs during one budget work session, relatively few people have approached the town council with concerns ahead of deliberative session this year. At that meeting, residents will consider a $29.34 million budget, of which, $23.41 is the operating budget for day-to-day expenses. That represents a 6.7 percent increase over this year’s spending, primarily due to contracted wages, health insurance and inflation related to energy. These figures translate into a proposed tax rate of $4.35, 12 cents more than the current rate. On a house valued at $300,000, the town’s portion of the tax bill would be $1,305 – up $36. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:36 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/merrimackjournalmerrimacknews/646554-308/petitionersforce-vote-on-positions.html MERRIMACK – The school deliberative session on March 2 is likely to center on five teaching positions that were initially cut from the budget but now have a second chance thanks to resident-generated petitions. The school board cut four middle school positions and a high school math position in December in a close 3-2 vote. Those supporting the cuts point to declining enrollment and the difficult economy. The board’s move, however, sparked outcry from some residents, who packed subsequent budget committee hearings in large part to sway support for restoring the positions. Many voiced their concerns about individualized instruction, the potential effect on test scores and fairness to students. With the high school math position, there was particular concern about the fate of the “math lab,” where students go for extra help on concepts and skills. Ahead of the committee’s last meeting Feb. 9, residents collected enough signatures to petition two articles on the warrant: one restoring a high school math teacher position, and another the four middle school teaching positions. Taken together, the restored articles add up to about $300,000 in expense. Neither petitioned article gained a majority recommendation from the budget committee, so both head to the voters without support from that group or the school board – a fact that will be reflected on the ballot. A majority of the budget committee did approve the district’s overall operating budget, which stands at $64.17 million. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/647512-308/towns-will-decide-is-sb2-for-them.html To SB2, or not to SB2? In several New Hampshire towns, including Amherst and Mont Vernon, that is the question this election season. Ever since the 1995 passage of Senate Bill 2, which gave all towns and school districts the option to change the Town Meeting and School District Meeting form of government, residents and civic leaders have been debating which is best for their community: the traditional method, at which debate and voting happens at one meeting, or SB2, in which debate happens at Deliberative Session, and secret-ballot voting happens on Election Day, about a month later. Mont Vernon voters will decide at the polls on March 9 whether to adopt SB2, after three residents spearheaded a petition drive to get the question on the ballot. State SB2 guidelines require that all warrant articles calling for a change in a town or school district’s SB2 status be voted on at the polls, not in the town meeting. The petitioners, Tom and Norma McKinney and Jan Miller, presented their petition at the public school district hearing this month, saying they garnered 46 signatures but “probably could have gotten 200 or 300 more” in support of the measure. The situation is opposite in Amherst, where a petition article presented by resident Jack Kunkel asks voters to decide whether the town should ditch SB2 and return to traditional Town Meeting format. Amherst voters adopted SB2 shortly after it passed into law for the town as well as the Souhegan Cooperative and Amherst school districts. Kunkel, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, said he filed the petition as an individual, but that many of his fellow members and other residents he’s talked to are in favor of scrapping SB2. “SB2 has many good goals, but I’ve spoken with people who have been in town politics off and on for 20 or 30 years, and most feel that it’s downgraded the quality of the conversation and decision-making we had with Town Meeting,” Kunkel said. As of last year, 63 towns and 73 school districts in New Hampshire have adopted SB2, according to state Department of Revenue Administration figures. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/647512-308/towns-will-decide-is-sb2-for-them.html To SB2, or not to SB2? In several New Hampshire towns, including Amherst and Mont Vernon, that is the question this election season. Ever since the 1995 passage of Senate Bill 2, which gave all towns and school districts the option to change the Town Meeting and School District Meeting form of government, residents and civic leaders have been debating which is best for their community: the traditional method, at which debate and voting happens at one meeting, or SB2, in which debate happens at Deliberative Session, and secret-ballot voting happens on Election Day, about a month later. Mont Vernon voters will decide at the polls on March 9 whether to adopt SB2, after three residents spearheaded a petition drive to get the question on the ballot. State SB2 guidelines require that all warrant articles calling for a change in a town or school district’s SB2 status be voted on at the polls, not in the town meeting. The petitioners, Tom and Norma McKinney and Jan Miller, presented their petition at the public school district hearing this month, saying they garnered 46 signatures but “probably could have gotten 200 or 300 more” in support of the measure. The situation is opposite in Amherst, where a petition article presented by resident Jack Kunkel asks voters to decide whether the town should ditch SB2 and return to traditional Town Meeting format. Amherst voters adopted SB2 shortly after it passed into law for the town as well as the Souhegan Cooperative and Amherst school districts. Kunkel, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, said he filed the petition as an individual, but that many of his fellow members and other residents he’s talked to are in favor of scrapping SB2. “SB2 has many good goals, but I’ve spoken with people who have been in town politics off and on for 20 or 30 years, and most feel that it’s downgraded the quality of the conversation and decision-making we had with Town Meeting,” Kunkel said. As of last year, 63 towns and 73 school districts in New Hampshire have adopted SB2, according to state Department of Revenue Administration figures. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/647512-308/towns-will-decide-is-sb2-for-them.html To SB2, or not to SB2? In several New Hampshire towns, including Amherst and Mont Vernon, that is the question this election season. Ever since the 1995 passage of Senate Bill 2, which gave all towns and school districts the option to change the Town Meeting and School District Meeting form of government, residents and civic leaders have been debating which is best for their community: the traditional method, at which debate and voting happens at one meeting, or SB2, in which debate happens at Deliberative Session, and secret-ballot voting happens on Election Day, about a month later. Mont Vernon voters will decide at the polls on March 9 whether to adopt SB2, after three residents spearheaded a petition drive to get the question on the ballot. State SB2 guidelines require that all warrant articles calling for a change in a town or school district’s SB2 status be voted on at the polls, not in the town meeting. The petitioners, Tom and Norma McKinney and Jan Miller, presented their petition at the public school district hearing this month, saying they garnered 46 signatures but “probably could have gotten 200 or 300 more” in support of the measure. The situation is opposite in Amherst, where a petition article presented by resident Jack Kunkel asks voters to decide whether the town should ditch SB2 and return to traditional Town Meeting format. Amherst voters adopted SB2 shortly after it passed into law for the town as well as the Souhegan Cooperative and Amherst school districts. Kunkel, a member of the Ways and Means Committee, said he filed the petition as an individual, but that many of his fellow members and other residents he’s talked to are in favor of scrapping SB2. “SB2 has many good goals, but I’ve spoken with people who have been in town politics off and on for 20 or 30 years, and most feel that it’s downgraded the quality of the conversation and decision-making we had with Town Meeting,” Kunkel said. As of last year, 63 towns and 73 school districts in New Hampshire have adopted SB2, according to state Department of Revenue Administration figures. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/647517-308/state-funding--touted-by-backers-of.html MILFORD – The need for an addition to the Jacques School is like the need for proper auto maintenance, School Board Chairman Peter Bragdon said this week: The school can get away without the extra space for awhile, “but eventually the work should be done,” On the ballot for the March 9 elections is $1.7 million for a four-classroom addition to the school, which houses kindergarten and first grade. A state grant would pay for 75 percent, and Milford’s share would be $438,000. The district would not appropriate the money if state funding does not come through, say school officials. State-mandated kindergarten started in September and the approximately 134 new students make the addition necessary, they say. The addition is meant to house first graders, with kindergarten children in the rooms formerly used by the first graders. Portable buildings that were intended to temporarily relieve crowding have been held up since September by coding issues, and a decision on whether to install them at all will probably wait for the vote in March, said Bragdon. Bragdon said the school needs more space, and the need will increase as the school population, whose growth now is relatively flat, starts to grow again. “They are making do now, although not with ideal resources,” he said. For example, “there is no dedicated library space. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/647522-308/milford-board-of-selectmen.html John Cass Sr. is challenging incumbent Tim Finan for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen. How should the town deal with today’s financial realities - the expectation of lower revenue and rising expenses? Tim Finan: In difficult economic times, we cannot forget that the taxpayers are hurting. Asking the taxpayer to make up revenue shortfalls should be the last option. We must start with the premise of a flat operating budget; if we could get by last year on X, then we should be able to get by this year on X. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/647528-308/wilton-lyndeborough-two-year-seat-from-wilton.html How do you see the new combined school district as compared to the old system of three districts? James Tuttle: The new district should help reduce some costs by eliminating the duplication of paperwork and administrative tasks. Many budget line items are mandated by the State but thoughtful planning and better attention can help bring others in line. I would expect to see more parity in the programs and better coordination of curriculum between the 2 elementary schools in preparation for Junior High/Middle School and High School. Recently published test scores show our students are rapidly losing ground. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/647528-308/wilton-lyndeborough-two-year-seat-from-wilton.html How do you see the new combined school district as compared to the old system of three districts? James Tuttle: The new district should help reduce some costs by eliminating the duplication of paperwork and administrative tasks. Many budget line items are mandated by the State but thoughtful planning and better attention can help bring others in line. I would expect to see more parity in the programs and better coordination of curriculum between the 2 elementary schools in preparation for Junior High/Middle School and High School. Recently published test scores show our students are rapidly losing ground. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:37 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/645835-196/3-of-4-incumbents-on-2-boards.html MERRIMACK – Two major governing bodies in town are bound to have some new faces. Three of four incumbents on the Town Council and School Board confirmed they will not seek re-election this spring, with Town Councilor Tim Tenhave and School Board members Rose Robertson-Smith and Emily Coburn stepping down from their posts. The fourth, Town Councilor Nancy Harrington, said she would decide whether to run again by Thursday’s council meeting. The filing period for these seats and all others opens today and closes March 5. Tenhave said when he initially ran for office three years ago, he and his family planned that he’d stay one term. At a council meeting Feb. 11, Tenhave made his official announcement and encouraged people considering a run to “please consider the fact that there is a little bit of homework required to do this job.” “Make sure that you’re a person who’s willing to look at all sides of the issues, because when you sit in this seat, you’ll find out that often there’s one side of an issue you haven’t encountered, or even thought of, that will come forward to you that may actually change or sway your way of thinking,” Tenhave said. He added that he hopes those seeking a spot on the council wouldn’t come “with a particular objective,” because voters “expect a person of honesty and integrity” to serve. On the school side of things, Coburn has served two terms, including two years as chairwoman. “I feel like I’ve done six years of fine work and saw some great programs be initiated and come on board, particularly kindergarten and the new middle school,” Coburn said, of her reasons for stepping down. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:36 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/642618-196/police-union-negotiations-stall.html The economic climate has many men and women in blue seeing red, as several local police unions have failed recently to reach contract agreements with town officials aiming to toe the line on spending. Three area towns couldn’t come to terms with their respective police unions, leaving voters in Amherst, Hollis and Milford to decide on solutions offered by an independent party. Another town almost faced the same situation, but a last-minute move by Hudson Selectmen allowed for a new deal that met police union approval. And in Merrimack, town officials couldn’t reach a consensus with the union representing police and firefighter department supervisors. The stalemates occur as municipalities try to reconcile shrunken tax revenue with services that don’t have fixed costs. The expired contracts were consummated when the economy was humming, but now, town leaders and employees must try to agree on fair compensation with a smaller revenue pool. “When you have 10 percent unemployment, you have an extra seven to eight million people not paying taxes,” said John Romps, an associate professor of economics and business at St. Anselm College in Manchester. “Corporations are not paying as much taxes. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:34 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/640572-196/bills-come-due-on-school-town-hall.html HOLLIS – An unexpected mold problem at Hollis Upper Elementary School that delayed the opening of school last fall and forced administrators to move students to other parts of the building had a similar effect on the school budget for next year: Requests for spending had to be shifted to accommodate a suddenly changed budget landscape. The need to fix the school and repair a wobbly Town Hall tower might be described as every small town’s financial nightmare. “Every year is the worst year ever when you’re on the Budget Committee,” said Frank Whittemore, a town resident since 1940 who’s in his third year on the Budget Committee and has served on the committee in previous years. But this year, the words “worst year ever” take on new meaning thanks to spending requests of $579,400 for the school and $400,000 for Town Hall, which is necessary to keep employees and visitors safe because of serious structural problems. “The fact that there are two problems at the same time that are very costly is very unusual,” said Whittemore, an owner and operator of Brookdale Fruit Farm. “These two projects are really necessary to do, and it puts an extra burden on the decision-making process.” In addition, the town rejected a fact-finder’s recommendation on a contract for the local union that represents police, fire and communications department employees because of the increased costs that would be passed on to taxpayers. The teachers in the school district agreed to a contract that the Budget Committee supported Thursday night during a meeting, reconvened to finish business left hanging last week at the end of a public hearing on the proposed school budget. The volunteer budget overseers aren’t supporting a warrant article asking voters to support a fact-finder’s recommendation for a contract with town police, fire and communications department employees. “What the fact-finder recommended is out of line with the economic conditions the way they are,” Whittemore said. “As Budget Committee members, we need to vote that part of the budget down, which in the long run would be a fairly good savings to the town.” The school building and Town Hall repairs, on the other hand, are “absolutely necessary,” he said. During the reconvened meeting of the School Board and Budget Committee, Bill Beauregard, vice chairman of the School Board, presented a budget pared from the week before at the public hearing. The School Board’s 2011 proposed budget includes $269,620 in increases over last year, mostly for costs related to contracts, teacher retirement and heating oil. By contrast, the board cut $377,463 from the 2011 budget by eliminating three classroom teachers and making cuts in its contingency, tuition expenses and other areas. The board slashed an additional $198,125 between Feb. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:33 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/638430-308/bedford-ballot-formsavailable.html Absentee Ballot Request forms for the Tuesday, March 9 School and Town election are available at the Bedford Town Office Building and online via the Town Web site www. bedfordnh.org/department/town clerk. The deadline to submit an Absentee Ballot Request is Monday, March 2, at 5 p.m. The Town Office Building will be open until 5 p.m. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:32 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/638466-308/hb-co-op-officials-propose-18.75m-budget.html HOLLIS – Officials in the Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School District are proposing 10 warrant articles that voters will decide on at the annual meeting in March, including an $18.75 million budget to operate the district’s two schools and pay salaries and benefits for 117 teachers and 83 support staff. On Monday, the school board and the board’s budget committee welcomed public comment on proposed spending for the 2010-2011 school year during a public hearing at the Hollis/Brookline Middle School. The meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m., but it did not get underway until 7:20 p.m., allowing plenty of time for latecomers to find seats, and for school officials to distribute a packet of handouts, including a draft of the warrant articles, a chart on student enrollment projections, a tax impact statement and the proposed budget, which included pages of detailed accounts of school spending. Following public comment, which ended around 11:30 p.m., the cooperative budget committee voted 4 to 3 to reduce spending by $250,000. There is a $750,000 reserve balance in the current budget, but the school board is not supporting the cut. There were lengthy discussions about the reserve balance, and board members asked the district’s new finance director for explanations. Business Administrator Mark McLaughlin joined the district on Dec. 1, after the previous administrator, who said working for three districts was too much for one person, left to take another job. During opening remarks, Steve Pucci, the chairman of the cooperative budget committee, encouraged the audience to ask three “simple” questions. “What are the facts? What do they mean? And what do we do?” Pucci said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:32 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/638466-308/hb-co-op-officials-propose-18.75m-budget.html HOLLIS – Officials in the Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School District are proposing 10 warrant articles that voters will decide on at the annual meeting in March, including an $18.75 million budget to operate the district’s two schools and pay salaries and benefits for 117 teachers and 83 support staff. On Monday, the school board and the board’s budget committee welcomed public comment on proposed spending for the 2010-2011 school year during a public hearing at the Hollis/Brookline Middle School. The meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m., but it did not get underway until 7:20 p.m., allowing plenty of time for latecomers to find seats, and for school officials to distribute a packet of handouts, including a draft of the warrant articles, a chart on student enrollment projections, a tax impact statement and the proposed budget, which included pages of detailed accounts of school spending. Following public comment, which ended around 11:30 p.m., the cooperative budget committee voted 4 to 3 to reduce spending by $250,000. There is a $750,000 reserve balance in the current budget, but the school board is not supporting the cut. There were lengthy discussions about the reserve balance, and board members asked the district’s new finance director for explanations. Business Administrator Mark McLaughlin joined the district on Dec. 1, after the previous administrator, who said working for three districts was too much for one person, left to take another job. During opening remarks, Steve Pucci, the chairman of the cooperative budget committee, encouraged the audience to ask three “simple” questions. “What are the facts? What do they mean? And what do we do?” Pucci said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:32 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/638467-308/committee-offers-up-warrant-articles-for-school.html HOLLIS – Only a handful of residents attended the public hearing on the school district budget at Town Hall, and only one remained, when about four hours later, the Budget Committee agreed to reconvene this week. The committee planned to tour the Hollis Upper Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon to survey repairs and see where a proposed $500,000 would be used to make the lower level of the building fully functional again. The classrooms on the lower level were closed for about half the school year after officials found mold just before the start of the school year. Children and teachers were moved to makeshift classrooms in other parts of the building. The district has spent about $250,000 so far for cleanup, testing and the replacement of all the ceiling tiles on the lower level using money from a contingency fund. Officials said the contingency fund was unusually large, in anticipation of more spouses and family members of employees signing up for health care benefits, a response to the declining economy, that did not play out. Meanwhile, the town is asking voters to support a warrant article for $400,000 to make critical repairs to the bell tower and roof at Town Hall. Neither spending request was proposed with a plan to bond the project. Instead, if passed, taxpayers would be asked to make a one-time payment: an additional 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $141 on a home assessed at $300,000, on the school portion of the tax bill for the HUES repairs; and an added 32 cents per $1,000, or $96 for a home valued at $300,000, for the Town Hall repairs. If all of the town’s money warrant articles pass, taxes on the town portion of the tax bill would increase 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $201 on a home with an assessed value of $300,000, a 13.4 percent increase. The Budget Committee voted to support the Town Hall repairs, and Chris Hyde, the Budget Committee chair, said following the engineer’s report Tuesday, Feb. 9, he was convinced the repairs are urgently needed. Neither town nor school officials recommended bonding the high price tag repair projects, saying in a difficult economy, they wanted to avoid further debt. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:32 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/638467-308/committee-offers-up-warrant-articles-for-school.html HOLLIS – Only a handful of residents attended the public hearing on the school district budget at Town Hall, and only one remained, when about four hours later, the Budget Committee agreed to reconvene this week. The committee planned to tour the Hollis Upper Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon to survey repairs and see where a proposed $500,000 would be used to make the lower level of the building fully functional again. The classrooms on the lower level were closed for about half the school year after officials found mold just before the start of the school year. Children and teachers were moved to makeshift classrooms in other parts of the building. The district has spent about $250,000 so far for cleanup, testing and the replacement of all the ceiling tiles on the lower level using money from a contingency fund. Officials said the contingency fund was unusually large, in anticipation of more spouses and family members of employees signing up for health care benefits, a response to the declining economy, that did not play out. Meanwhile, the town is asking voters to support a warrant article for $400,000 to make critical repairs to the bell tower and roof at Town Hall. Neither spending request was proposed with a plan to bond the project. Instead, if passed, taxpayers would be asked to make a one-time payment: an additional 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $141 on a home assessed at $300,000, on the school portion of the tax bill for the HUES repairs; and an added 32 cents per $1,000, or $96 for a home valued at $300,000, for the Town Hall repairs. If all of the town’s money warrant articles pass, taxes on the town portion of the tax bill would increase 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $201 on a home with an assessed value of $300,000, a 13.4 percent increase. The Budget Committee voted to support the Town Hall repairs, and Chris Hyde, the Budget Committee chair, said following the engineer’s report Tuesday, Feb. 9, he was convinced the repairs are urgently needed. Neither town nor school officials recommended bonding the high price tag repair projects, saying in a difficult economy, they wanted to avoid further debt. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:32 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/638468-308/candidates-on-the-economy.html Does the current economy change the way a town should negotiate contracts with its employees? Why, or why not? Please be specific. Spencer Stickney: Yes, it does. Just like economic times in the past as well as those to come. We all try, as we should, to give our employees as much as the position they carry warrants. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:32 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/merrimackjournalmerrimacknews/637155-308/hearing-schedule-open-positions.html MERRIMACK – Budget season is in full swing in Merrimack. Here is information about budget hearings and open positions for the town and school district. Calendar Feb. 24-March 5: Filing period for town and school positions. March 2: School district Deliberative Session, 7 p.m., James Mastricola Upper Elementary School all-purpose room. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:31 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/637166-308/restaurateur-eyes-moderator-post.html MILFORD – A local restaurant owner is challenging Town Moderator Peter Basiliere for the two-year position. Joseph Oneail, owner of Papa Joe’s Humble Kitchen, said he entered the race after a few residents asked him to. “I have no experience. I’m a blank slate,” he said, but added he’s confident he could run a meeting. He said he doesn’t attend town meetings, but watches them on public access television. One of the duties of town moderator is to choose members of the Advisory Budget Committee and Oneail said his views as a fiscal conservative will influence his choices. Oneail has owned the restaurant, which makes and sells ready-to-eat meals, for 10 years and recently moved it from downtown to Route 13 and changed the name from Humble Pie to Papa Joe’s Humble Kitchen. Before that he owned the Milford Fish Market for four years. Incumbent Peter Basiliere is also the school district moderator and was elected to the posts two years ago. He served on the School Board for three years in the 1990s, the final year as chairman, and on the School Budget Committee before that. There are two other elements to the job of moderator: running meetings and running elections, and Basiliere said he loves them both. The last presidential election “in November of 2008 was just a thrill,” he said. “More than 7,000 voters came through, the most we’ve ever had in Milford. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:31 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/637171-308/vote-gives-birth-to-controversy.html MILFORD – Officially, the town Advisory Budget Committee has taken no position on the fire station/ambulance warrant article. But if a telephone vote by its chairman had been counted, the committee would have given it a negative recommendation. The committee met after the town’s Feb. 6 Deliberative Session and voted on all the town warrant articles, giving a tie vote of 4-4 to Article 4, which would allow the town to bond up to $850,000 to buy four pieces of property between Nashua, School and Pine streets for a combined fire and ambulance facility. Faced with the tie vote, committee members called Chairman Chuck Morrison, who was in the hospital, where his wife was giving birth to their first child. Morrison voted no. But a phone vote is illegal – committee members have to be present to vote, and Town Moderator Peter Basiliere was aware of the phone vote and declared it illegal. So only the 4-4 vote will appear on the town Voters’ Guide on Election Day, with pro and con explanations for the vote, instead of a majority and minority report. The committee met again Feb. 11, but did not take a re-vote as planned because a few members were absent. Morrison says he feels like a football quarterback sitting on the bench during the big game. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:31 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/637172-308/mont-vernon-school-plan-unchanged.html MONT VERNON – Despite more than two hours of sometimes spirited, sometimes heated debate Thursday night among residents and school officials at a public hearing, no changes were made to the proposed $4.54 million Mont Vernon School District budget or any warrant articles. The public hearing on the budget for the district, which covers just the Mont Vernon Village School, drew about 20 voters to the school. The School Board unanimously supported the budget, which represents an increase of almost $90,000, or 2.02 percent, over the current budget. If it passes at School District Meeting on March 12, it would add 56 cents per thousand to the school portion of residents’ property tax bills, which equates to a rise of $168 in the annual tax bill for a home assessed at $300,000. Voters can discuss the articles and will vote on them at the School District Meeting on Friday, March 12, at the Village School. The hearing also featured the introduction of a petition article that asks voters to adopt the so-called SB2 form of balloting, an option that roughly 73 state districts have adopted since the system was created in 1995. Sponsored by Tom and Norma McKinney and Jan Miller, the article requires a three-fifths majority, or at least 60 percent of the vote, to pass. The only warrant article the board voted not to support was Article 6, which proposes the creation of a trust fund to help the district pay contractual tuition costs to Amherst for Mont Vernon children who attend Amherst Middle School. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:31 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/637174-308/lyndeborough-taxes-set-to-rise.html LYNDEBOROUGH – The town’s operating budget is up about $44,000 over last year, but revenues have decreased by about $123,000. The means the tax rate will go up between 40 cents and 50 cents (per $1,000 valuation), Budget Committee Chairman Burton Reynolds told about 25 residents at the annual budget hearing last Tuesday. The committee will meet soon to consider comments and finalize the budget that will be presented at Town Meeting on March 13. Reynolds said the major increases in the budget are about $17,000 for the required revaluation of property, some added costs for the new library addition, changes in how the ambulance service is paid, for plus a change in communication services, and a new police secretary and town forester. For the past five years, Reynolds said, “about 20 percent of the town had been checked by the town assessor for accuracy of the property cards. This year that data has to be compiled.” That system spreads the cost of the revaluation over five years. “There are transition costs” of going into the larger library, Reynolds said, and the Budget Committee had to make some estimates, set at about $15,000. A separate warrant article asks for another $15,000 for the project. Work on the addition, which triples the size of the 1911 building, began last fall with completion planned for mid-summer. The ambulance service is now totally owned and operated by the town of Wilton, Reynolds said. “We are now buying the service from them.” The total of $46,782 includes $7,600 as Lyndeborough’s annual share of the cost of ambulance replacement and $5,000 for changes in, and improvements to, dispatch services. Several residents questioned the purchase of service, but others noted that in taking over the service, Wilton also assumed all of the liabilities and staffing questions. Budget Committee members and selectmen agreed that the new system was a good deal. While the position of police secretary is not new, Reynolds said the current person has been mostly volunteering her time and can no longer do so. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:31 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/637188-308/milford-school-board-1-year-seat.html Give an example of a school program that could be cut to save money and an example of a school program that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way. Please be as specific as possible. Bert Becker: In my opinion, cutting the co-curricular programs (sports, band, math and Destination ImagiNation) would save about $300,000, including salaries, memberships, officials’ payments, maintenance, supplies and $94,000 in transportation costs. All of the participating students are volunteers, and partipation is not required for graduation. This cut will not impact the regular curricula. Reading, which starts at the kindergarten level and demands increasing competency until graduation, should not be cut under any circumstances. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:31 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/637189-308/wilton-board-of-selectmen-3-year-seat.html Given the money constraints on local government, give an example of a town service that could or should be cut to save money and an example of a service that should not be cut under any circumstances, and explain why you feel this way. Please be as specific as possible. Bob Duquette: The times we face ahead now are more challenging than ever before. We are experiencing an economic downturn that reaches all the way to Washington D.C., with cutbacks to all of the states. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:03:31 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/613066-196/co-op-board-budget-panel-hearing-set.html HOLLIS – The town Budget Committee will meet with the Hollis/Brookline Cooperative School District School Board tonight at 7 at the Hollis/Brookline Middle School to conduct a public hearing on the proposed budget. The process begins with a review by the Budget Committee of the proposed School District budget and includes time for taxpayers to ask questions or make comments to the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee ultimately decides whether it will accept the budget, and if it says “yes,” the budget goes before voters on election day. The proposed budget, which reflects no increases over last year, includes three money warrant articles: the operating budget, costs associated with salaries and benefits for professional staff and the same for support staff. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:22 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinioneditorials/609350-263/deliberative-session-attains-new-potency.html A decade-and-a-half ago, the Legislature allowed towns and school districts to replace their traditional annual meetings, during which citizens spent hours talking over budgets and other matters before voting their wishes. Instead, voters could cast their ballots without having attended any public meeting at all. At the time, this newspaper howled at the prospect of what we considered drive-by democracy, whereby voters would decide important community matters without the benefit of hearing both pro and con discussion. In the intervening years, our worst fears have rarely been realized. Town and school district budgets haven’t been eviscerated by inveterate naysayers with only a ballot to fill out. But lately there’s been one unanticipated surprise resulting from Senate Bill 2 (popularly known as SB2) – the authorizing legislation of the so-called “official ballot” system that’s been adopted by about 25 percent of New Hampshire towns and 40 percent of its school districts. The surprise is the effective use of a vehicle to hash out issues in a public setting before voting day: the so-called deliberative session. Indeed, this session constitutes the first half of what used to be the formal town or school district meeting during which people hear out and sometimes craft the particulars of what they will later vote on. The potency of this first session has come to light in an extraordinary way – through mischief. Opponents of resolutions on some annual meeting agendas, which are called “warrants,” have begun using deliberative sessions to strip those resolutions of meaning. For example, at meetings in Winchester and Alstead (last) week, the wording of citizen initiatives urging that the issue of gay marriage be put before the state’s voters was reduced by the majority of those present to the following: “The citizens of New Hampshire shall be.” Similarly, in Rindge, a resolution to instruct the Legislature to investigate the circumstances of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was reworded to read, in its entirety: “To see.” The model for these disabling actions was a decision at a deliberative session in 2007 in the town of Barrington that reworded a taxpayer association-backed article for the privatization of town road and public works projects to read: “To see.” The state Supreme Court subsequently upheld the rewording, saying the Legislature’s intent in adopting SB2 was to allow warrant articles to be amended at deliberative sessions, even if to render them meaningless. The court’s ruling is understandably frustrating to the authors of initiatives who feel that democracy is being thwarted by the rewordings; the Legislature should consider tweaking SB2 to ensure that voters are not being effectively disenfranchised by misuse of amendments. In the meantime, the ruling also confirms that there remains an opportunity to get together where one side in an open debate can prevail if it convinces enough others to go along. (Last year more than 400 Barrington residents crowded the deliberative session – four times the normal turnout – and reworded a proposal to self-fund the recreation department. Beyond the unfortunate but still legal mechanics, this public process represents a clear democratic principle itself and is a reasonable extension of the spirit of New Hampshire’s town meeting. – The Keene Sentinel Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:20 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/bedfordjournalbedfordnews/604862-308/ask-for-absentee-ballots-soon.html Absentee ballot request forms for the March 9 school and town election are available at the Bedford Town Office Building and online via the Town Web site bedfordnh.org/department/town clerk. The deadline to submit an absentee ballot request is Monday, March 2, at 5 p.m. The town office will be open until 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2, for election business only. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/604972-308/committee-holds-tight-to-frugal-budget.html HOLLIS – Anyone who thinks democracy isn’t an endurance sport hasn’t attended a New England town meeting, or the public hearings that precede them. On Tuesday night, voters, selectmen, and the seven members of the Budget Committee gathered in the Community Room at Town Hall for a public hearing on the proposed 2010 budget that began at 6:30 p.m. Five hours later, the crowd had thinned to about a dozen hearty souls who stayed till the bitter end, close to midnight. There was a lengthy discussion about the second warrant article, which asks voters to approve spending $400,000 to make minor, but critical, structural repairs to the Town Hall. Last year, voters turned down a request that was roughly twice as expensive, to make extensive repairs to the building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several years ago, a structural engineer told officials that the clock tower and steeple might collapse in a strong wind, and recently the town administrator sent employees home during a particularly windy day. Peter Steffensen, the professional engineer the town hired to study the town hall and recommend repairs, told voters and officials, during a detailed, and often technical presentation, that he was recommending repair of the steeple and roof to ensure public safety as well as historic preservation. The Board of Selectmen is recommending 4-1 that the town make the repairs. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/604977-308/school-board-voters-discuss-budget-proposal-at.html BROOKLINE – The handful of voters who attended the public hearing on the proposed Brookline School District budget for fiscal 2011 received a cut-and-dried briefing on Thursday, Feb. 4, at Captain Samuel Douglass Academy. “If we had any money at all, we would look at hiring another teacher, buying new textbooks, spending more on maintenance,” said board Chairman David Partridge, saying the School Board had cut expenses to the bone. The total proposed budget for fiscal 2011, which begins July 1, is $9.02 million, or roughly $483,000 more than last year’s budget. School Board Vice Chairman Beth Lukovits presented the draft budget, pointing to a $9,300 decrease in special education and a $3,909 reduction in supply costs. Lukovits told taxpayers that the proposed budget covers expenses negotiated in teacher and support staff contracts and holds the line on spending for workbooks, textbooks, library books and other materials. Budget increases also include an adjustment to substitute teacher pay and a rise in fuel costs. Partridge said the school district underbudgeted for substitutes at the academy last year and increased the line item to reflect actual costs. The town’s finance committee is recommending the School Board’s spending requests, which will appear as warrant articles on the ballot at Town Meeting, by a vote of 2-0. Lukovits said the district will realize savings through an in-district preschool program started last year: By educating special needs children locally, the district eliminates costs for transportation and programs outside the community, and it also recovers some revenue by charging tuition for “typically developing” peers, children without special education needs, who attend the preschool program. Before the public hearing, the School Board met to ratify the district’s support staff contract, a three-year accord that provides a 1.25 percent cost of living increase in the first year and 1 percent increases in the second and third years at a cost of roughly $23,000 to the taxpayers. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/604977-308/school-board-voters-discuss-budget-proposal-at.html BROOKLINE – The handful of voters who attended the public hearing on the proposed Brookline School District budget for fiscal 2011 received a cut-and-dried briefing on Thursday, Feb. 4, at Captain Samuel Douglass Academy. “If we had any money at all, we would look at hiring another teacher, buying new textbooks, spending more on maintenance,” said board Chairman David Partridge, saying the School Board had cut expenses to the bone. The total proposed budget for fiscal 2011, which begins July 1, is $9.02 million, or roughly $483,000 more than last year’s budget. School Board Vice Chairman Beth Lukovits presented the draft budget, pointing to a $9,300 decrease in special education and a $3,909 reduction in supply costs. Lukovits told taxpayers that the proposed budget covers expenses negotiated in teacher and support staff contracts and holds the line on spending for workbooks, textbooks, library books and other materials. Budget increases also include an adjustment to substitute teacher pay and a rise in fuel costs. Partridge said the school district underbudgeted for substitutes at the academy last year and increased the line item to reflect actual costs. The town’s finance committee is recommending the School Board’s spending requests, which will appear as warrant articles on the ballot at Town Meeting, by a vote of 2-0. Lukovits said the district will realize savings through an in-district preschool program started last year: By educating special needs children locally, the district eliminates costs for transportation and programs outside the community, and it also recovers some revenue by charging tuition for “typically developing” peers, children without special education needs, who attend the preschool program. Before the public hearing, the School Board met to ratify the district’s support staff contract, a three-year accord that provides a 1.25 percent cost of living increase in the first year and 1 percent increases in the second and third years at a cost of roughly $23,000 to the taxpayers. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/605681-196/voters-to-discuss-29.34m-budget.html MERRIMACK – Next year’s town spending proposal went through with hardly a peep from residents at the official budget hearing Thursday night. Just two residents stood to request that the council reconsider parts of the budget, which will move forward to Deliberative Session at $29.34 million. Of that, $23.41 is the operating budget, a 6.7 percent increase over this year’s spending. The increase is primarily due to contracted wages, health insurance and inflation related to energy costs. During the council’s meeting, John Trythal, a 10-year veteran of the town’s highway division, spoke to a new reduction in hours of a full-time highway maintainer, saving $25,000. Trythal asked the council to weigh the cost savings against the value of keeping the position full time, because reducing hours would cut back on road services to residents. Resident Mike Malzone then asked the council to consider the warrant article calling for a tax exemption for disabled couples with a combined income of $67,500. Malzone told the council that many non-disabled couples have a similar income level, and “to ask us to supplement another part of the town is getting very difficult,”” he said. Malzone told the council he hoped there would be opportunity to extend the tax break discussion at the Deliberative Session, scheduled for March 9. In addition to the budget and the exemption, voters will also have a chance to discuss a new contract with the union representing supervisors and clerks in the public works and wastewater departments. The union’s last contract expired in 2009. In the newly negotiated contract, spending would actually decrease by $23,000 and members would contribute 10 percent toward their health and dental insurance premiums. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/605682-196/school-budget-recommendations-still-up-in-the.html HOLLIS – After four hours of debate at the public hearing on the school district budget the Budget Committee decided to reconvene next week after a school tour. Only a handful of residents attended the hearing at Town Hall on Wednesday night. The committee decided to tour the Hollis Upper Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon to survey repairs and see where a proposed $500,000 would be used to make the lower level of the building fully functional again. The classrooms on the lower level were closed for about half the school year after officials found mold just before the start of the school year. Children and teachers were moved to makeshift classrooms in other parts of the building. The district has spent about $250,000 so far for cleanup, testing and the replacement of all the ceiling tiles on the lower level using money from a contingency fund. Officials said the contingency fund was unusually large, in anticipation of more spouses and family members of employees signing up for health care benefits, a response to the declining economy, that did not play out. Meanwhile, the town is asking voters to support a warrant article for $400,000 to make critical repairs to the bell tower and roof at Town Hall. Neither spending request was proposed with a plan to bond the project. Instead, if passed, taxpayers would be asked to make a one-time payment: an additional 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, or $141 on a home assessed at $300,000, on the school portion of the tax bill for the HUES repairs; and an added 32 cents per $1,000, or $96 for a home valued at $300,000, for the Town Hall repairs. If all of the town’s money warrant articles pass, taxes on the town portion of the tax bill would increase 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $201 on a home with an assessed value of $300,000, a 13.4 percent increase. The Budget Committee voted to support the Town Hall repairs, and Chris Hyde, the Budget Committee chairman, said following the engineer’s report Tuesday night, he was convinced the repairs are urgently needed. Neither town nor school officials recommended bonding the high-price repair projects, saying in a difficult economy, they wanted to avoid further debt. But resident and school district official Tom Enright told the board during the public comment period of the meeting that they might have considered a short, commercial loan. “It’s too late now,” Hyde said Thursday. On Wednesday night, he said, the Budget Committee found “too many variables we couldn’t explain.” The Budget Committee will reconvene next Thursday. Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:53 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603532-308/milford-voters-put-land-buy-question-to.html MILFORD – Voters will see 29 warrant articles on the ballot when they go to the polls in March, following the Milford Deliberative Session at the Town Hall auditorium on Saturday, which drew exactly 100 voters during a 51⁄2-hour meeting. Article 4, which would allow the town to bond up to $850,000 to purchase four pieces of property between Nashua, School and Pine streets, to transform the current fire station into a combined fire and ambulance facility, drew considerable debate. The article arose from the town’s Facilities Committee’s wish to replace the current fire station on School Street and ambulance bay in the basement of Town Hall. Supporters said it’s a good to buy property, while opponents were concerned about the interest cost and said it would be better to do the entire process, which would include building the $6.6 million facility, along with the $850,000 purchase of the land. An amendment was passed allowing the Board of Selectmen – should it not be able to buy all four properties needed for the facility – to spend the money on an ambulance facility at another location with the approval of the director of ambulance services and the Facilities Committee. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603535-308/fact-finders-report-up-for-vote-at-election.html AMHERST – Voters will choose on March 9 whether to accept a fact-finder’s report filed last month in connection with the impasse in contract negotiations between the town and the union that represents the police department’s patrolmen and sergeants. Town Administrator Gary MacGuire said the report, referenced in Articles 28 and 29 of the warrant, may be the first time that such a report has been included on a town warrant since the so-called SB2 form of town government was created in New Hampshire, in 1995. At least one other SB2 town, Milford, is facing the same situation this year, with two contracts – one for the police employees union and the other for town employees in the Teamsters Union – going before voters March 9. Hollis, which operates under traditional town meeting rather than SB2, also faces a similar issue this year, In Amherst, disagreements on three issues – wage increases, the cost and issuance of protective body armor and an upgrade of radio communications equipment – led to the impasse. In late 2009, the union requested a fact-finder, which led to a Jan. 4 hearing before George R. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603536-308/school-district-deliberative-session-quiet.html AMHERST – A brief debate over cost of living raises for non-union and support staff and a short discussion on the funding formula for the state retirement system were the high points of a quiet Amherst School District Deliberative Session last Thursday, Feb. 4. The proposed fiscal year 2011 operating budget was the only article on the warrant, and the session went just over an hour. None of the roughly 50 people in attendance proposed to amend the article. The proposed $23.37 million budget is an increase of roughly $156,000, or 0.67 percent, over this year’s budget. It goes on the warrant for consideration by voters at the March 9 elections. Voters will also elect candidates for open seats, which this year include two, three-year terms on the Amherst School Board and a one-year term for school district clerk. Should the proposed budget pass, it would mean roughly a 10-cent increase to the school portion of residential property tax bills in Mont Vernon, and slightly less for those in Amherst. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603537-308/cooperative-school-district-meeting-draws-budget-confusion.html WILTON – The first budget hearing for the new, combined Wilton/Lyndeborough Cooperative School District saw lots of confusion and lots of attempts to hold down costs. The final result, after a two-hour meeting at the cooperative school that drew about 40 people, was an operating budget of $11.4 million – a 2.2 percent increase over the last year’s combined budgets for the school districts of Wilton, Lyndeborough and Wilton/Lyndeborough, which were joined to make the new district. The final budget included a 3.4 percent reduction on the regular education accounts, compared to the amounts spent last year by the three former districts, but extra costs caused a rise of 21.9 percent for special education, leaving an increase in the budget of about 2.2 percent or $243,000. The $11.4 million budget does not include warrant articles. Those articles include an addition to the Lyndeborough Central School, a deficit appropriation for special education of $160,000 at Florence Rideout Elementary School, approval of a three-year contract with school support staff (no added costs for 2010-11 school year), and $175,000 for added life-safety code improvements to Florence Rideout Elementary School. Board Chairman Dion Lewis said an agreement with the teaching staff is still under discussion. “We have been unable to reach an agreement this year,” he said, and salaries will remain as they are. “The problem is merging three significantly different contracts. We are trying to get a unifying contract and have agreed to disagree. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603537-308/cooperative-school-district-meeting-draws-budget-confusion.html WILTON – The first budget hearing for the new, combined Wilton/Lyndeborough Cooperative School District saw lots of confusion and lots of attempts to hold down costs. The final result, after a two-hour meeting at the cooperative school that drew about 40 people, was an operating budget of $11.4 million – a 2.2 percent increase over the last year’s combined budgets for the school districts of Wilton, Lyndeborough and Wilton/Lyndeborough, which were joined to make the new district. The final budget included a 3.4 percent reduction on the regular education accounts, compared to the amounts spent last year by the three former districts, but extra costs caused a rise of 21.9 percent for special education, leaving an increase in the budget of about 2.2 percent or $243,000. The $11.4 million budget does not include warrant articles. Those articles include an addition to the Lyndeborough Central School, a deficit appropriation for special education of $160,000 at Florence Rideout Elementary School, approval of a three-year contract with school support staff (no added costs for 2010-11 school year), and $175,000 for added life-safety code improvements to Florence Rideout Elementary School. Board Chairman Dion Lewis said an agreement with the teaching staff is still under discussion. “We have been unable to reach an agreement this year,” he said, and salaries will remain as they are. “The problem is merging three significantly different contracts. We are trying to get a unifying contract and have agreed to disagree. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603538-308/voters-increase-school-budget-to-return-cut.html MILFORD – Saying they want to avoid cuts to teaching hours, voters last week added money back into the district operating budget. The School Board’s original $35.3 million operating budget reflected reductions to some staff hours, the board’s reaction to a “very challenging year,” said Chairman Peter Bragdon. But residents at the Feb. 4 at the School Deliberative Session voted 74-9 to increase the budget by $419,451, on a motion by Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Federico. That means when voters will add money back into the School Board’s budget if they approve the operating budget in March. Voters last Thursday night, the majority of whom seemed to be parents or school staff, also put the $1.7 million Jacques School addition warrant article on the ballot, after School Board member Bob Willette went to the microphone to explain why he changed his mind. Up until last week Willette had opposed the project. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603540-308/voters-to-decide-on-school-addition-for.html WILTON – At the request of the Lyndeborough Budget Committee, a plan for an addition to the Central School will go before voters for the third time. Its chances might be better this year, because the new combined Wilton/Lyndeborough Cooperative School District operates under traditional town meeting rules, so the project will need just 50 percent support. The old Lyndeborough School District, which was combined with Wilton and Wilton/Lyndeborough to make the new, single cooperative district, operated under Senate Bill 2 rules, meaning the project needed 60 percent approval. Every year the proposed addition has received a majority vote, but never got to 60 percent. “This is the best thing for the school,” Committee Member Kevin Boette told about 10 people at a bond hearing at the high school on Feb. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603540-308/voters-to-decide-on-school-addition-for.html WILTON – At the request of the Lyndeborough Budget Committee, a plan for an addition to the Central School will go before voters for the third time. Its chances might be better this year, because the new combined Wilton/Lyndeborough Cooperative School District operates under traditional town meeting rules, so the project will need just 50 percent support. The old Lyndeborough School District, which was combined with Wilton and Wilton/Lyndeborough to make the new, single cooperative district, operated under Senate Bill 2 rules, meaning the project needed 60 percent approval. Every year the proposed addition has received a majority vote, but never got to 60 percent. “This is the best thing for the school,” Committee Member Kevin Boette told about 10 people at a bond hearing at the high school on Feb. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603540-308/voters-to-decide-on-school-addition-for.html WILTON – At the request of the Lyndeborough Budget Committee, a plan for an addition to the Central School will go before voters for the third time. Its chances might be better this year, because the new combined Wilton/Lyndeborough Cooperative School District operates under traditional town meeting rules, so the project will need just 50 percent support. The old Lyndeborough School District, which was combined with Wilton and Wilton/Lyndeborough to make the new, single cooperative district, operated under Senate Bill 2 rules, meaning the project needed 60 percent approval. Every year the proposed addition has received a majority vote, but never got to 60 percent. “This is the best thing for the school,” Committee Member Kevin Boette told about 10 people at a bond hearing at the high school on Feb. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603541-308/voters-in-mont-vernon-discuss-town-budget.html MONT VERNON – A handful of residents bantered back and forth about the town’s proposed operating budget and several other articles on this year’s town warrant at Monday night’s public hearing. When the hearing and adjustments by selectmen were complete, the final proposed budget figure for 2010 stands at $1.93 million, the number that now goes to voters at the March 9 Town Meeting. The figure is roughly $10,500 less than the original proposed budget, and represents an increase of about $16,100, or 0.8 percent, over the 2009 budget. Selectmen made a slight change to one of the other warrant articles, Article 4, which calls for funds to repair the town’s historic 1852 McCollom Building. Instead of asking for the entire $40,000 in 2010, selectmen adopted Chairman John Quinlan’s proposal to request $20,000 for 2010 and the other $20,000 in 2011. The biggest changes to the operating budget were the reduction of the proposed town clerk’s salary from the requested $18,000 to $9,500, which is roughly $2,000 higher than in the 2009 budget. Town Clerk Jeanette Vinton asked selectmen to send the $18,000 figure to voters, saying “I want to allow voters to decide on this rather than have the budget committee and selectmen decide.” She noted the substantial increase in her hours and job duties over the past decade. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/603541-308/voters-in-mont-vernon-discuss-town-budget.html MONT VERNON – A handful of residents bantered back and forth about the town’s proposed operating budget and several other articles on this year’s town warrant at Monday night’s public hearing. When the hearing and adjustments by selectmen were complete, the final proposed budget figure for 2010 stands at $1.93 million, the number that now goes to voters at the March 9 Town Meeting. The figure is roughly $10,500 less than the original proposed budget, and represents an increase of about $16,100, or 0.8 percent, over the 2009 budget. Selectmen made a slight change to one of the other warrant articles, Article 4, which calls for funds to repair the town’s historic 1852 McCollom Building. Instead of asking for the entire $40,000 in 2010, selectmen adopted Chairman John Quinlan’s proposal to request $20,000 for 2010 and the other $20,000 in 2011. The biggest changes to the operating budget were the reduction of the proposed town clerk’s salary from the requested $18,000 to $9,500, which is roughly $2,000 higher than in the 2009 budget. Town Clerk Jeanette Vinton asked selectmen to send the $18,000 figure to voters, saying “I want to allow voters to decide on this rather than have the budget committee and selectmen decide.” She noted the substantial increase in her hours and job duties over the past decade. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:51 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/604491-196/budget-panel-also-rejects-contractfor-fire-police.html HOLLIS – Count members of the town Budget Committee among those who think a proposed contract for police and firefighters isn’t in the best interest of the town. The seven-member committee was unanimous in rejecting the collective bargaining contract between the town and AFSCME Local 3657, which represents police, fire, and communications departments. The union accepted a fact-finder’s recommendation for the contract, following an impasse and mediation. Conversely, the town rejected the fact-finder’s recommendation, which called for higher across-the-board raises due to changes to employee contributions for health insurance. The town provides health insurance through a self-insured plan that it administers, but the town negotiated with the union to change to a traditional health care plan administered by an insurance company, in order to cut costs. Since the town rejected the contract, the issue must now go before the voters. If voters reject the fact-finder’s recommendations, the town and union are required to negotiate all over again. The Budget Committee vote came Tuesday night during a marathon five-hour public hearing on the proposed 2010 budget attended by voters, selectmen and members of the Budget Committee. The meeting continued Wednesday night, when the Budget Committee voted 5-1-1 to amend the proposed 2010 operating budget to $8.19 million. That amount is $1.08 million, or 12 percent, less than last year’s $9.27 million operating budget. Ray Valle abstained from the vote. The budget proposal includes the collective bargaining contract but does not include money appropriations voted on separately, including warrant articles. The four selectmen present at the meeting approved the revised budget unanimously. In addition, the Budget Committee on Tuesday voted unanimously to support Article 2, requesting voters to raise and spend $400,000 for Town Hall repairs. The Budget Committee did not support an article for $845,117 in expendable trust funds, said “yes” to an Old Home Day Special Revenue Fund, $50,000 to be offset by revenues from the event, and discarded and reworked articles dealing with restoration of Flints Pond and an Ash Street sidewalk project. Also on the warrant are petition articles asking voters to amend the state Constitution to define marriage and to ask the state’s congressional delegation to pursue a new, independent investigation related to the events of Sept. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/604492-196/youth-activities-funding-on-deck-again.html MERRIMACK – Funding for youth activities in Merrimack has been a popular topic during recent budget discussions. Those talks may heat up again tonight at the Town Council’s budget hearing. In late January, when councilors cut $116,000 from the bottom line, much attention was focused on council cuts to the Merrimack Youth Association and the funding of a skate park attendant. Councilors were considering cutting funding to the MYA by half, but the youth athletic organization’s leadership asked them to change their minds because fees have already been raised and some sports programs wouldn’t last. Some councilors, however, have expressed concerns about the association holding funds in reserve, a conclusion the MYA contested. A few residents have also lobbied councilors to keep an attendant at the skate park on O’Gara Drive. Juni Pierce, the park attendant, said leaving the area unsupervised or closing it would be a “colossal” error. Some park users said they’d be willing to volunteer as attendants part time, so the council cut the attendant hours in half. With that, the proposed spending plan for 2010-11 stands at $29.34 million. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/604493-196/budget-is-shaved-10.5k-at-hearing.html MONT VERNON – A handful of residents bantered back and forth about the town’s proposed operating budget and several other articles on this year’s town warrant at Monday night’s public hearing. When the hearing and adjustments by selectmen were complete, the final proposed budget figure for 2010 stands at $1.93 million, the number that now goes to voters at Town Meeting on March 9. The figure is roughly $10,500 less than the original proposed budget and represents an increase of about $16,100, or 0.8 percent, over the 2009 budget. Selectmen made a slight change to one of the other warrant articles, Article 4, which calls for funds to repair the town’s historic 1852 McCollom Building. Instead of asking for the entire $40,000 in 2010, selectmen adopted Chairman John Quinlan’s proposal to request $20,000 for 2010 and the other $20,000 in 2011. The biggest changes to the operating budget were the reduction of the proposed town clerk’s salary from the requested $18,000 to $9,500, which is roughly $2,000 higher than in the 2009 budget. Town Clerk Jeanette Vinton asked selectmen to send the $18,000 figure to voters, saying “I want to allow voters to decide on this rather than have the Budget Committee and selectmen decide.” She noted the substantial increase in her hours and job duties over the past decade. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/604493-196/budget-is-shaved-10.5k-at-hearing.html MONT VERNON – A handful of residents bantered back and forth about the town’s proposed operating budget and several other articles on this year’s town warrant at Monday night’s public hearing. When the hearing and adjustments by selectmen were complete, the final proposed budget figure for 2010 stands at $1.93 million, the number that now goes to voters at Town Meeting on March 9. The figure is roughly $10,500 less than the original proposed budget and represents an increase of about $16,100, or 0.8 percent, over the 2009 budget. Selectmen made a slight change to one of the other warrant articles, Article 4, which calls for funds to repair the town’s historic 1852 McCollom Building. Instead of asking for the entire $40,000 in 2010, selectmen adopted Chairman John Quinlan’s proposal to request $20,000 for 2010 and the other $20,000 in 2011. The biggest changes to the operating budget were the reduction of the proposed town clerk’s salary from the requested $18,000 to $9,500, which is roughly $2,000 higher than in the 2009 budget. Town Clerk Jeanette Vinton asked selectmen to send the $18,000 figure to voters, saying “I want to allow voters to decide on this rather than have the Budget Committee and selectmen decide.” She noted the substantial increase in her hours and job duties over the past decade. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:52 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/599731-196/litchfield-school-budget-left-as-is.html LITCHFIELD – Voters who attended the school district budget deliberative session on Saturday could have altered the proposed $20.53 operating budget, but after close to three hours of discussion, questions and attempts to modify two the four warrant articles that will appear on the March 9 ballot, they agreed to leave well enough alone. “It’s a really lean budget, and it would make me very nervous to take any more from it,” Superintendent Elaine Cutler told the School Board, Finance Committee, and roughly 100 residents who met in the auditorium at Campbell High School on Saturday. Cutler said the school district’s budget is “the lowest budget in the region.” “There are no new programs, no new technology. We’ll live with what we have,” she said, adding that “the most important element” in the town’s three schools are the teachers. The proposed school district budget decreases operational spending by 1.15 percent over last year, officials said they are expecting to receive 2.3 percent less revenue from state, federal, and other sources. Cuts made to reduce the budget included $354,694 in services and programs, $80,000 for repair of the high school track, an expense endorsed by the School Board, and a $32,403 reduction in teacher salaries. In addition to the operating budget, which will be the first of four warrant articles on the ballot in March, officials and voters discussed a proposal, recommended by the School Board, but not the Budget Committee, to raise up to $50,000 and place it in a capital reserve fund, to be used for educating disadvantaged students. Voters, including Susan Seabrook, the school nurse at the Griffin Memorial School, wanted to know why more money isn’t being proposed for the capital reserve fund, given a leak in the roof at Griffin. “We’re watching the tiles come down,” Seabrook said after taking her turn at a microphone set up at the front of auditorium to allow for public comments and questions. Others, including several parents of children who attend the school, said they worried about safety inside the building, given the location of the roof leak. “It’s very dangerous. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:49 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/599732-196/milford-to-decide-on-850k-land-buy.html MILFORD – Voters will see 29 warrant articles on the ballot when they go to the polls in March following the Milford Deliberative Session at the Town Hall auditorium on Saturday. According to the Supervisors of the Checklist, exactly 100 Milford residents attended to discuss numerous issues over the 51⁄2-hour meeting, which decided the wording of all measures to be voted upon by Milford voters in March with the exclusion of zoning variances and the election of officers. The first contentious topic of the day was Article 4, an article that would allow the town spend up to $850,000 to purchase four pieces of property between Nashua, School and Pine streets in order to transform the current fire station into a combined fire and ambulance facility. The article arose from a proposal from the town’s Facilities Committee to replace the current fire station on School Street and ambulance bay in the basement of Town Hall. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:49 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/599739-196/voters-voice-their-concerns.html HUDSON – Voters at Saturday’s annual Deliberative Session overwhelmingly endorsed an amended warrant article that would give local police a 3 percent cost of living raise for each of two years beginning in 2011. That proposal and 14 other warrant articles still require approval from voters at the March 9 town election. But selectmen and the municipal budget committee backed the measure for the police contract at special meetings immediately following the session. The police union was also expected to support what officials called a “good compromise’’ at a meeting of the membership soon, according to union president Sgt. Mike Gosselin. “This is where we want to be,’’ Gosselin told residents. The 51-member Hudson Police Union Local 3657 and selectmen had been at an impasse over salary issues before the amendment to Article 9 was introduced by Selectmen vice-chairman Ken Massey, about an hour into the Deliberative Session. A fact-finder had recommended cost of living adjustments of 3 percent to 4.5 percent for the fiscal years 2011 and 2012, but selectmen had balked at the 4.5 percent figure, saying it was unaffordable in uncertain economic times. The original article called for a zero percent adjustment for this fiscal year ending July 1, with $41,761 budgeted for previously approved expenses. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:49 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/597342-196/amherst-operating-budget-will-go-on-warrant.html AMHERST – A brief debate over cost of living raises for nonunion and support staff and a short discussion on the funding formula for the state retirement system were the high points of a quiet Amherst School District Deliberative Session on Thursday night. With the proposed fiscal 2011 operating budget the lone article on the warrant, the session went just over an hour. None of the roughly 50 people in attendance proposed to amend the article. The proposed $23.37 million budget is an increase of roughly $156,000, or 0.67 percent, over this year’s budget. It goes on the warrant for consideration by voters at the March 9 elections. Voters will also elect candidates for open seats, which this year include two three-year terms on the Amherst School Board and a one-year term for school district clerk. Should the proposed budget pass, it would mean roughly a 10 cent increase to the school portion of residential property tax bills in Mont Vernon and slightly less for those in Amherst. It equates to a nearly $30 increase on the tax bill for a $300,000 home in Mont Vernon and slightly less than that for a similarly assessed Amherst home. If voters reject the budget, the district will operate on the $23.01 million default budget, which is roughly $364,000 less than the proposed budget. On Thursday, resident Joe Esposito took issue with the School Board’s decision to approve raises of 2 percent to 3 percent for nonunion district employees. “How can you justify giving a raise to people not under a contract at a time when nobody is getting a Social Security raise and (few) in the private sector are getting raises?” Esposito asked. Board Chairwoman Nancy Head said the decision to do so was a difficult one. “In the end, we felt it was justified,” Head said. Board members pointed to the significant leap in health care costs, which comes to around 23 percent more for medical and 6 percent for dental, as drivers of the proposed budget increase. Head also described the state-mandated 15 percent increase in the district’s contribution to the state retirement system, which administers teachers’ retirement funds, as a cause of the increase. Amherst is among the many school districts facing substantial increases in mandated contributions to the system, an issue that drew teacher and union activist Sam Giarrusso, who is also a retirement system trustee, to the microphone. Giarrusso blamed the recent spike in mandated contributions on years of underfunding by state employers, which he said resulted from several legislative changes to the funding formula. “In 1991, legislators changed the way employer contributions are figured,” Giarrusso said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:48 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/597363-196/wlc-cuts-position-hours-transportation.html WILTON – The first budget hearing for the new combined Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District saw lots of confusion and lots of attempts to hold costs down. The final result, after a two-hour meeting at Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School that drew about 40 people, was an operating budget of $11.4 million – a 2.2 percent increase over the last year’s combined budgets for the three school districts of Wilton, Lyndeborough and Wilton-Lyndeborough – that were combined to make the new district. Much of the discussion dealt with procedures for the new district and such questions as whether Wilton residents should vote on a proposed addition to Lyndeborough Central School, or whether Lyndeborough should vote on proposed improvements to Florence Rideout Elementary School in Wilton. “Why should Wilton voters step back and not vote?” Wilton Budget Committee member Mark Whitehill asked. “The problem is that residents of Wilton feel they don’t have the right to vote, but they have that right and responsibility.” Board Chairman Dion Lewis disagreed. The final budget included a 3.4 percent reduction of the regular education accounts compared with the amounts spent last year by the three former districts. But extra costs caused a rise of 21.9 percent for special education, leaving an increase in the budget of about 2.2 percent, or $243,000. During the meeting, the School Board cut a media specialist position to 40 percent, or two days a week, reduced the amount in the fuel oil line by $12,000 based on current costs and eliminated transportation from Lyndeborough to an out-of-town kindergarten. The town isn’t required under state law to provide kindergarten transportation. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:48 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/597363-196/wlc-cuts-position-hours-transportation.html WILTON – The first budget hearing for the new combined Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative School District saw lots of confusion and lots of attempts to hold costs down. The final result, after a two-hour meeting at Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative High School that drew about 40 people, was an operating budget of $11.4 million – a 2.2 percent increase over the last year’s combined budgets for the three school districts of Wilton, Lyndeborough and Wilton-Lyndeborough – that were combined to make the new district. Much of the discussion dealt with procedures for the new district and such questions as whether Wilton residents should vote on a proposed addition to Lyndeborough Central School, or whether Lyndeborough should vote on proposed improvements to Florence Rideout Elementary School in Wilton. “Why should Wilton voters step back and not vote?” Wilton Budget Committee member Mark Whitehill asked. “The problem is that residents of Wilton feel they don’t have the right to vote, but they have that right and responsibility.” Board Chairman Dion Lewis disagreed. The final budget included a 3.4 percent reduction of the regular education accounts compared with the amounts spent last year by the three former districts. But extra costs caused a rise of 21.9 percent for special education, leaving an increase in the budget of about 2.2 percent, or $243,000. During the meeting, the School Board cut a media specialist position to 40 percent, or two days a week, reduced the amount in the fuel oil line by $12,000 based on current costs and eliminated transportation from Lyndeborough to an out-of-town kindergarten. The town isn’t required under state law to provide kindergarten transportation. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:48 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/597364-196/brookline-increases-kept-minimal.html BROOKLINE – The handful of voters who attended the public hearing on the proposed Brookline School District budget for fiscal 2011 received a cut-and-dried briefing Thursday night at Captain Samuel Douglass Academy. The draft budget reflects the continuing economic downturn and pressure on policymakers to do more with less and use up what’s available wherever possible. “If we had any money at all, we would look at hiring another teacher, buying new textbooks, spending more on maintenance,” said board Chairman David Partridge, saying the School Board had cut expenses to the bone. The total proposed budget for fiscal 2011, which well begin July 1, is $9.02 million, or roughly $483,000 more than last year’s budget. Last year, voters approved $8,537,585 to operate the school district. School Board Vice Chairman Beth Lukovits presented the draft budget, pointing to a $9,300 decrease in special education and a $3,909 reduction in supply costs. “We’ve been squeezing everything for the past two years, and there’s really nothing left to squeeze,” Partridge said Friday morning. Lukovits told taxpayers that the proposed budget covers expenses negotiated in teacher and support staff contracts and holds the line on spending for workbooks, textbooks, library books and other materials. Budget increases also include an adjustment to substitute teacher pay and a rise in fuel costs. Partridge said the school district underbudgeted for substitutes at the academy last year and increased the line item to reflect actual costs. The town’s finance committee is recommending the School Board’s spending requests, which will appear as warrant articles on the ballot at Town Meeting, by a vote of 2-0. Lukovits said the district will realize savings through an in-district preschool program started last year: By educating special needs children locally, the district eliminates costs for transportation and programs outside the community, and it also recovers some revenue by charging tuition for “typically developing” peers, children without special education needs, who attend the preschool program. By federal law, the school district must educate special needs children, starting at age 3, and until last year, the district paid to transport them outside the community. Included in that cost was the expense of consulting specialists such as speech and occupational therapists and psychologists. In addition, Lukovits cited a lighting conservation project funded by federal stimulus funds and Public Service of New Hampshire that promises to save the district up to $30,000 a year in electric bills. The federal stimulus money for energy savings will go to Brookline and neighboring Hollis and the three school districts the two towns support. Those attending the meeting had plenty of questions for Lukovits and other school officials. Taxpayers had questions about special education costs, employee health benefits and energy-savings programs. Before the public hearing, the School Board met to ratify the district’s support staff contract, a three-year accord that provides a 1.25 percent cost of living increase in the first year and 1 percent increases in the second and third years at a cost of roughly $23,000 to the taxpayers. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:48 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/597365-196/milford-moves-to-reinstate-staff-hours.html MILFORD – Last week, School Board member Bob Willette wrote a letter to the editor explaining his opposition to building an addition to Jacques School. But at the school Deliberative Session on Thursday night, he went to the microphone to explain why he changed his mind. The state will pick up most of the cost of the addition this year, he said, and the opportunity for state funding might not be available next year. The four-classroom addition would cost the district $438,000, with the state paying $1.2 million. It’s “something we need and it should pass,” Willette said to scattered applause, and residents agreed, voting to put the warrant article on the ballot unchanged. The proposed $35.3 million operating budget reflected cuts to some staff hours, part of reductions made by the School Board to keep the tax rate down. It was increased $419,451 on a motion by Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Federico to reinstate staff hours. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:48 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/594878-308/hollis-spending-plans-to-be-heard.html HOLLIS – Officials say they are hoping for good turnouts Tuesday and Wednesday nights next week, when public hearings are scheduled on the town and school budgets for 2010. The Budget Committee will recommend budgets to be presented to voters in March, with an eye toward holding the line on spending without compromising public services. “The overall economy is tough, and what we’re endeavoring to do is keep the tax rate under control while still providing good quality services,” said Chris Hyde, chairman of the Budget Committee. According to Hyde, the proposed operating budgets for the town and school are “flat,” a situation that is beginning to “put some strain on the system.” Hyde said the situation is tenable, at least for the short-term. “The budgets are driven by salaries and benefits,” Hyde pointed out, adding that on the school side, a collective bargaining unit is continuing the bargaining process. A contract the town has with the union representing police, fire and communications department expired March 31 and is stalled at an impasse. Hyde said officials are concerned about the pressure of a state law passed two years ago, The Evergreen Law. It requires towns and school districts to preserve contract provisions, even after a contract has expired, if the two sides are unable to reach a new agreement. In theory, a bargaining unit could continue to receive previously negotiated benefits indefinitely, in a case where it was unable to reach an agreement. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:47 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/595208-196/budget-would-add-2-cents-to-tax.html AMHERST – Nobody turned into a pumpkin, but there were plenty of droopy eyelids focusing on the exit door when the Amherst town Deliberative Session adjourned shortly after midnight Wednesday. In the end, voters OK’d amendments to just two warrant articles: Article 23, the “open space land bond,” was cut from the town’s original $3 million request to $2.25 million. The purchase would be for open space and recreational fields. Article 43, which proposed to add $2 to town residents’ vehicle registration fees to bring a regional public transportation service to town, was amended to add $1.50 to registration fees. The proposed town operating budget of $9.76 million drew considerable discussion and one proposed amendment to cut it by $400,000, which was voted down. If it gets passed by secret ballot on election day, the budget would add two cents to the town portion of residents’ property tax rate – increasing the annual bill on a home valued at $300,000 by six dollars. The proposal is an increase of roughly $31,000, or 0.32 percent, over the current operating budget, Voters will cast ballots on all the warrants, as well as candidates for several offices, on Tuesday, March 9, from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:47 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/593846-308/towns-proposed-budget-up-over-09.html LYNDEBOROUGH – The town’s operating budget for 2010 is estimated at $1.53 million, an increase of about 3.4 percent over 2009, according to Town Administrator Jim Bingham. The proposed budget will be presented at a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, in Citizens’ Hall. The budget won’t be completed until after the hearing. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:45 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/594310-196/souhegan--co-op-sessionquiet-routine.html AMHERST – Roughly 40 voters had few comments and proposed no amendments to the three articles on the Souhegan Cooperative School District warrant at Tuesday night’s Deliberative Session. The most-discussed topic was Article 2, the $18.21 million, proposed operating budget for the coming fiscal year. It calls for an increase of roughly $441,000, or 2.48 percent, over the current operating budget. Article 3, which asks for an extra $50,000 for the school maintenance fund to cover unanticipated maintenance and repair costs, and Article 4, which adds $25,000 to cover one-time, lump-sum payments to district employees upon retirement, were approved unanimously. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:46 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/594310-196/souhegan--co-op-sessionquiet-routine.html AMHERST – Roughly 40 voters had few comments and proposed no amendments to the three articles on the Souhegan Cooperative School District warrant at Tuesday night’s Deliberative Session. The most-discussed topic was Article 2, the $18.21 million, proposed operating budget for the coming fiscal year. It calls for an increase of roughly $441,000, or 2.48 percent, over the current operating budget. Article 3, which asks for an extra $50,000 for the school maintenance fund to cover unanticipated maintenance and repair costs, and Article 4, which adds $25,000 to cover one-time, lump-sum payments to district employees upon retirement, were approved unanimously. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:46 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/592698-196/area-candidates-are-off-to-the-races.html Political pundits won’t pay much attention, but the next five weeks will see the most widespread electioneering of the year in New Hampshire as towns and school districts prepare to fill local positions ranging from selectman to wastewater commission. Election day is March 9. Here is a summary of contested and major races in area communities. Because Nashua is a city, it holds elections in November. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:44 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/590426-196/ethics-budget-hot-topics-in-litchfield.html LITCHFIELD – Money, ethics and government were the hot topics of discussion at this year’s town Deliberative Session. Voters discussed but, for the most part, didn’t change the operating budget and proposals to implement an ethics committee and change the style of town government. One of the first matters debated Saturday was the proposed $4.38 million town operating budget. The proposal passed as is and will appear on the Town Election ballot next month. Resident and former Selectman Al Raccio attempted to reduce the budget by nearly $60,000 because the police department’s line-item total exceeded the one in this year’s budget. Raccio offered the amendment to honor a prior Board of Selectmen’s goal of having all departments submit budgets with no increases, he said. But Budget Committee Chairman Brent Lemire said the police department was actually underfunded in the current budget because of an error. The department proposed a 20-percent increase for next year’s budget, but the committee reduced the increase to 10 percent, he said. Raccio argued that other departments suffered from the same error but didn’t exceed a zero-percent increase in their proposals. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:42 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/hollisbrooklinejournalhollisnews/585997-308/groups-ask-for-money-at-hearing.html BROOKLINE – Public hearings on the proposed 2010 town budget didn’t draw crowds Monday and Tuesday nights at the Town Hall, but intermittently, special interest groups, like the town’s firefighters, crammed the listeners’ gallery. Firefighters were there to support two warrant articles, one asking taxpayers to fund a lease-purchase agreement for a new, albeit demonstration model, utility rescue truck at a cost of $182,700 over two years, and another asking the town to establish a capital reserve fund, the Fire Equipment Capital Fund, that would be used to purchase fire department apparatus. The article for the capital reserve fund asks voters to raise and appropriate $100,000, the amount that would be used toward the next purchase of replacement apparatus. The Board of Selectmen is recommending that if the article authorizing the two-year lease-to-purchase agreement passes, the capital reserve fund article should be dropped. “The finance committee hasn’t had a chance to question the fire department,” Finance Committee chairman Ernie Pistor said during discussion of the two warrant articles. “But why not use the capital reserve for a truck you intend to replace?” Last year at Town Meeting, the fire department sought money for a “big” truck that carries water, an item that failed. The demo truck the fire department is asking for this year is used to carry equipment, not water, and is smaller. Fire Chief Charles Corey, who was accompanied by Assistant Chief Scott Knowles and other members of the department, described the demonstration truck, which would replace a truck that needs extensive work, as “a deal.” The fire department needs to replace a 1994 Chevrolet van and anticipates the need for other replacements, given the age and mileage of its fleet: 1989 and 1992 engines, a 2000 combination truck and an aging tanker. National fire protection codes recommend replacing trucks every 20 years, Corey noted. Public safety, one of the biggest expenses in any municipal budget, was also the rationale for a warrant article asking voters to support the purchase of new police cruiser at $33,010 and the spending of $19,000 to purchase and install camera-based surveillance in the Police Department and Town Hall. Surveillance cameras, which would reduce liability exposure, would be placed inside and outside the buildings: seven inside and two outside. Likewise, a warrant article asking taxpayers to raise and spend $10,000 to purchase and equip a used vehicle for the ambulance director falls into this category. Both the select board and the finance committee have recommended this article. A warrant article asking voters to raise and spend $31,000 to update the town’s Master Plan sparked a lengthy discussion about planning and the consequences if the article doesn’t pass. Michelle Hakala, who recently announced she is resigning from the Planning Board after nine years of service, worried that progress would be stalled if voters reject the spending request. And Selectman Tad Putney, who several years ago was involved in what were known as “study circles” to discuss the town’s future, suggested a backup plan: a nominal amount of money to be put aside in the event that the warrant article fails. The selectman added $5,000 to the Planning Board, to be used for updating the Master Plan if the warrant article fails. Speaking in favor of a warrant article to treat milfoil in Lake Potanipo, Conservation Commission Chairman Jay Chrystal presented two options: one for $40,450 to pay two treatments, and another for one treatment for about $29,000 or $19,000 depending on the chemical concentration. The board decided to do one treatment, but left it up to conservation commission to decide. The warrant article will be $29,625, with half, $14,812, coming from private donations and the conservation funds and the other half raised from taxes. Chrystal contrasted the milfoil problem at Lake Potanipo with that in Melendy Pond, a smaller body of water that has been successfully treated and controlled. “Potanipo is larger and has more boat traffic,” he said. Communities across the region have had to deal with similar weed problems, which if left untreated, can clog waterways and make them unusable. Selectmen and the finance committee are recommending this article, although on Tuesday, one selectman supported a two-treatment approach, the minority position. Another spending request that will be put to voters in March asks them to create a capital reserve fund and place $100,000 in it, to buy a roughly 15-acre lot with a house on it, on Main Street in the center of town. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:41 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/573265-196/spending-off-1.15-in-budget-proposal.html LITCHFIELD – The School District proposes to spend a little less next year, but because of shrinking revenue, the tax rate would still increase. The Budget Committee has shaped a proposed Litchfield School District budget that decreases operational spending by 1.15 percent, but school officials expect to receive 2.3 percent less revenue from state, federal and other sources. As a result, the school portion of the tax rate would increase 4 cents, from $12.54 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation to $12.58 per $1,000, adding about $12 to the annual tax bill of a home assessed at $300,000. Those numbers could change before voting day March 9, because voters can alter the proposed budget at Deliberative Session on Feb. 6. The School Board had proposed a $20.88 million operating budget, but the Budget Committee – which prepares the final town and school budget proposals – cut $354,694 in services and programs, to reach $20.53 million. Those cuts include $32,403 in teacher salaries and $80,000 to repair the athletic track at Campbell High School. The track repair was endorsed by the School Board. The budget forwarded by the School Board was approved by a 3-2 margin, with members Cindy Couture and Jason Guerrette opposing. Guerrette said he thinks more cuts should have been made. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:58:16 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/553371-308/another-try-for-school-addition.html MILFORD — The School Board will try again this year to get approval for a four-classroom addition to Jacques School. The project, which would give the school more space to accommodate the new public kindergarten program, received a majority vote last March but failed to get the required 60 percent majority. School officials reviewed the kindergarten proposal and other warrant articles at a public hearing Tuesday night before a small audience. The kindergarten article calls for the state to pay 75 percent of a $1.7 million kindergarten construction bond. Milford’s share would be $438,000, but the article is contingent on the state funding. School Board Chairman Peter Bragdon, who is a state senator, warned that funding might be cut off this year. The kindergarten bond would have a first-year tax impact of 1 cent per $1,000 of assessed valuation, going up over the course of the remaining nine years to almost 7 cents. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:56:25 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com//www.cabinet.com/cabinetcabinetnews/553373-308/2-contracts-up-for-approval.html MILFORD – Town Administrator Guy Scaife told a sparse audience at the town’s budget and bond hearing Monday night he doesn’t support the latest contract covering police department patrol officers. The contract keeps a provision for sick-time buyouts, Scaife said, while of all the rest of town employees, including members of the Teamsters union, have dropped it. “Sick time is not an entitlement,” he said. “It’s there for when you are sick. I am baffled why 17 employees should be treated differently.” Voters will be asked to approve two employee union contracts on Election Day, March 9, one for the 17 police officers – members of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and one for members of the Teamsters union, which covers about 23 people. The AFSCME members are non-management, mostly patrol officers, and make up half of the 34-member police department, Scaife said. Each of the two three-year settlements call for no wage increases this year. Teamsters agreed to up to a 3 percent merit increase for 2011, while the AFSCME proposal calls for a 2.5 percent across-the-board increase for 2011. “Teamsters went out of their way to meet the challenges of this economic climate,” Scaife said. The AFSCME contract amounts to a $49,829 warrant article and would account for a 3 cent tax rate increase. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:56:25 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/540703-196/revenue-dip--forces-tax-hike-in.html HUDSON – Saying they’re mindful of the poor economy, town officials have proposed a budget that increases spending by a little more than two percent. But because of declining revenues, the town portion of the tax rate will jump slightly more than five percent. If the operating budget and all other proposals pass, taxpayers would owe 25 cents more per $1,000 in property valuation. The current town portion of the tax rate is $4.97 per $1,000 of assessed value. If all town warrant articles pass this year, the rate would climb to $5.22 per $1,000. That’s a 5.1 percent increase. For a house valued at $200,000, for instance, that would amount to a $1,044 tax bill for the town’s portion. Town officials crafted a lean budget this year in recognition of a tough economy, Town Administrator Steve Malizia said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:55:30 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/540703-196/revenue-dip--forces-tax-hike-in.html HUDSON – Saying they’re mindful of the poor economy, town officials have proposed a budget that increases spending by a little more than two percent. But because of declining revenues, the town portion of the tax rate will jump slightly more than five percent. If the operating budget and all other proposals pass, taxpayers would owe 25 cents more per $1,000 in property valuation. The current town portion of the tax rate is $4.97 per $1,000 of assessed value. If all town warrant articles pass this year, the rate would climb to $5.22 per $1,000. That’s a 5.1 percent increase. For a house valued at $200,000, for instance, that would amount to a $1,044 tax bill for the town’s portion. Town officials crafted a lean budget this year in recognition of a tough economy, Town Administrator Steve Malizia said. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:55:30 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/536924-196/hudson-school-budget-plan-up-a-bit.html HUDSON – School officials have offered a budget they say considers taxpayers’ struggles in the recession. Voters will see a proposed operating budget of $42.8 million, a slight increase over the current year’s operating budget of $42.4 million. The only other warrant articles that voters will review at this year’s Deliberative Session are those asking for the approval of teacher, administrative and professional contracts. Unlike last year or other years, the district won’t propose an educational program or building projects. “It’s a fairly conservative budget,” Assistant Superintendent of Schools Mary Ellen Ormond said Tuesday at the School District public hearing. “We tried to keep the budget as level as possible to move forward with the CBAs.” Collective bargaining agreements for teachers, administrative personnel and other unionized employees failed at the polls last year. With this year’s three CBA proposals, there will be no retroactive raises for the current school year. The Hudson Municipal Budget Committee at first rejected the teachers’ CBA on Tuesday, with four members approving, four disapproving and Chairman Thaddeus Luszey abstaining because his wife works in the district. But committee member Bob Haefner wasn’t there for the vote. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:55:06 EST http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/528952-196/dump-petition-on-ballot-in-march.html HOLLIS – Voters at Town Meeting in March will be asked to decide whether landscaping-materials businesses will be allowed on certain properties comprising more than 20 acres along state roads, thanks to a successful drive to get a petition warrant article on the ballot. Douglas Orde, owner and operator of Hollis Construction, initiated the petition drive. For years, Orde operated a gravel pit on Depot Road, an operation officials agreed was “grandfathered” from the town’s zoning ordinance. But more than a year ago, after the town building inspector determined that expanded activities at the site violated zoning rules, a cease and desist order was issued. The order barred Orde from taking in and selling back mulch, loam, gravel, compost and other landscaping materials. Orde appealed the cease and desist order to the Zoning Board of Adjustment in December 2008 and requested a rehearing the following month. After his request for a rehearing was denied, he appealed the decision to Hillsborough County Superior Court. He went before the board a third time to apply for a variance, which was denied and not appealed. His trial was scheduled for later this month, but the court granted the parties’ motions to put the case on hold until after the Town Meeting vote. Orde’s attorney, Jed Callen, said that if the petition warrant article fails, Orde plans to “go forward” with the court appeal. The zoning amendment would allow Orde’s business and similar ones on about 10 town properties that are zoned residential agricultural, but only by a special exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and with site plan approval from the Planning Board. This means that neither Orde’s nor anyone else’s landscaping materials business would have carte blanche permission to operate. The Board of Selectmen recently approved the petition warrant article, and the Planning Board on Dec. Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:55:01 EST