Hot topic: After taking the plunge on investing in a new fire station last year, things are pretty quiet in the town of Warner, warrant wise.
The real drama was at the ballot box. Judith Newman-Rogers, who served as the town’s town clerk for years but resigned last fall citing a hostile work environment, ran unopposed for a select board seat. Michele Courser ran opposed to take her place as town clerk.
Budget: The proposed operating budget is $3.3 million, up from last year’s budget of $2.9 million by 6 percent, or $211,622.
The biggest chunk of the increase comes from the bond payment related to the town’s fire station, which voters passed last year. The interest on the station amounts to $12,895; the principal payment is $43,496.
If approved, the budget would also see an increase in the town’s highway department of $25,000; an increase of $15,176 in the police department; a $14,028 increase in the finance department, and a $10,780 increase in the transfer station department.
If approved, the tax rate will go up about 76 cents, which is $152 on a $200,000 home.
Both the select board and the budget committee support the budget.
Noteworthy articles: Warner’s municipal buildings get a good amount of their electricity from its solar array, which went online two years ago.
Now, the town will decide whether to establish a revolving account related to the fund. Revenue for the fund would come from the sale of electricity produced by the array and from the sale of renewable energy credits.
The money in the account would be used to pay off the array; once that occurs, the money would then be applied to municipal buildings’s electricity bills.
The select board will also ask Warner if they no longer wish to see the land at 136 E. Main St., sold. The original article was put forward by petition and adopted in 2015. The land is the location of the old fire station.
There are few big capital fund investment asks, including $153,000 to be put into the Highway Road Construction Capital Reserve Fund and $125,000 into the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. There are also requests to respectively put $100,000 into the Fire and Rescue Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund and the Town Hall Improvements Capital Reserve Fund.
The town will consider whether to discontinue the fund dedicated to making improvements at Interstate 89’s Exit 9 and transferring the remaining funds of $5,590 to the general fund.
Contested races: None.
When and where: The town meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the town hall.