March 10 TOWN MEETING RESULTS

Art. 4     Raise and appropriate $6 million for connector road.  Petitioner moved the question, but then urged a NO vote as it will cost $2/thousand, should have been a bond article, not needed until 2010, can go out to bid so will know real cost for an article next year.  The article failed on a voice vote YES Zero, NO Unanimous.

Art. 5     Town Operating Budget in amount of $19,965,623.  An attempt was made to increase the Operations portion of the Fire Department budget item by $60,000 for 2 fireman for last half of year, but it was defeated by a standing vote of YES 31, NO 38.  $20,000 was added from Art. 6 and $8,000 was added to Enterprise Fund for Recreation Day Camp.  Neither has any impact on taxes, as they are offset by revenues.  Total Appropriations now $19,993,623.  For a town of about 20,000 that's nearly $1,000 for every man, woman and child.

Art. 6      Withdrawal from Current Use Capital Reserve Fund, to complete town wide wetlands mapping study.  No tax impact.  Passed unanimously on a voice vote.

Art. 7      Rescind Joppa Hill authorized but unissued $500,000 bonds, no longer needed.  Passed unanimously on voice vote.

Art. 8      Acquisition of Pennichuck Water Assets in Bedford.  Passed by a secret ballot vote of YES 70, NO 24 (74.5%), well over the 2/3rds required.  Many, if not most, voters had no idea what it was all about: taking the assets of a private company if the Public Utility Commission so allows.  Government has NO business being IN business in competition with PRIVATE business.