Hot topic: One big-ticket item on the Gilmanton warrant, though it won’t have an additional tax impact, is the replacement of the Stage Road bridges.
The project is expected to cost $2.3 million.
The largest chunk of money – $1.84 million – would come from the state bridge aid program. The remainder would be covered by $209,000 from the town’s bridge capital reserve fund and $251,000 from the town’s unassigned fund balance.
The article, if approved, would also allow the select board to apply for additional federal and state grants to pay for the bridge replacement.
Budget: The proposed operating budget is $4.1 million, a 10 percent increase, or about $360,000, from last year. The estimated tax impact is an increase of $0.46 per $1,000 assessed property value, or $115 on a $250,000 home. The default budget is $3.9 million.
Noteworthy articles: A petition warrant article asks for the $47,700 for the Gilmanton Year-Round Library, which is not town run.
There are two smaller town libraries, but they are only open seasonally.
From 2013 to 2015, voters approved funding for the library. In 2016, taxpayers denied the request by just 16 votes. In 2017 and 2018, requests for $48,500 and $47,000, respectively, were approved.
Another petition warrant article asks to remove 35 Stone Road from the Gilmanton Historic District.
Article 6 would allow former prisoners of war to register one car without a fee.
Article 21 asks to dissolve the parks and recreation committee, citing its inactivity, and give the select board those duties.
Hot topic: The school district is looking to take out a $1.3 million loan to build an addition and make renovations to the Gilmanton School to address security issues outlined in a Homeland Security Survey.
The proposal would configure a secure vestibule entry and office complex, reconfigure the current office space to classroom space, and more the SAU office to the Gilmanton School site.
The first year payment would be $36,000 and would have a tax impact of $0.078 per $1,000 assessed property value.
If approved, the article would also allow the school board to seek out grants or gifts to offset the cost of the project.
That article would require a ⅗ majority vote, since it involves a multi-year bond.
Budget: The proposed operating budget for the school district is $11.1 million, a increase of $292,595 or 2.7 percent over last year.
The estimated tax impact of the budget is $17.61 per $1,000 assessed property value; last year’s estimated tax impact of the operating budget was $17.59.
Elected positions: The filing period to run for office closes Friday at 5 p.m.
When and where: The deliberative session for the town will take place at 10 a.m. with the school district portion following at 11:30 a.m. at the Gilmanton Elementary School.
Ballot voting will take place March 12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gilmanton Academy Building.