Hot topic: The approval of Article 20, seeking to change a previous provision, would funnel 100 percent of revenues from ambulance billing toward rescue vehicle replacement or refurbishment, and rescue equipment purchase and replacement.
Those funds would also be used for operating the ambulance, which would include payroll and supplies.
Budget: The select board and advisory budget committee both agreed on a proposed operating budget of $2.6 million, up $200,000 from last year, with an approximate tax rate of $4.62.
Voters will decide if $157,000 will be deposited into eight separate reserve funds, including $45,000 to the fire truck fund, $40,000 to the heavy equipment fund and $25,000 to town-owned parking lots. The unassigned fund balance will pay $100,000, while $57,000 will come from general taxation, creating the largest tax impact on the town warrant at 18 cents. If approved, the tax rate will go up 46 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Noteworthy articles: Replacing the 1989 Pierce rescue truck will cost $295,000, with all the money coming from the Rescue Truck Capital Reserve Fund.
There will be a six-cent tax increase if $40,000 is used to buy and install new playground equipment at Carpenter Memorial Park, with half to be raised through taxation. The remaining $20,000 would be split between the parks and recreation capital reserve fund and private donations.
When and where: The town meeting will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Chichester Central School.