SEABROOK — Voters will have a chance to discuss and even amend any or all of the 38 questions on this year's warrant tonight at 7 at the Community Center.
The warrant carries town issues, including the passage of the proposed $18,665,274 budget, coming in about $33,000 less than the default budget, which would be put into effect if voters reject the proposed budget.
Four landmark union contracts are also on the warrant. The contracts would provide the town's firefighters, police, supervisors and general employees with raises, some for the first time in years. But the contract would also give taxpayers a financial break, as all four unions agreed to the creation of a new insurance plan that will cut the town's $3.2 million insurance bill significantly. The estimate is that the town will save at least $750,000 in insurance cost in a three-year period.
Five zoning articles begin the warrant, including Article 6, which would create a new Smithtown Village zoning district. Extending around Town Hall from the state line to Lakeshore Drive and Cains Brook and the railroad tracks, the zone would halt the ability of large "big-box" retail stores to build there. The hope is that over the coming years and decades a user-friendly business enclave will develop, allowing pedestrian traffic in the area. The traffic pattern at that part of Route 1 would be altered to foster the new district's vintage village feel, according to Selectman Bob Moore.
The warrant has its usual questions seeking permission to raise and spend funds on a number of issues. They include $40,000 for library materials and books, $30,000 to replace the video security equipment at the police station, $50,000 for long-term maintenance of the town's water wells, $52,000 for a sidewalk snow-removal machine, $60,000 for a new truck and plow, $38,000 for a sewer department truck, $35,000 to resurface cemetery roads and $25,000 to pave the access road at Veterans Park, $60,000 to replace the roof on the Recreation Center and $630,000 to expand the wastewater treatment plant to encompass more office space.
There's also a question asking voters to donate $380,000 to the Seabrook Housing Authority to design a new senior housing building.
There are two citizen's petitions on the warrant. The first, Article 37, ask voters to adopt a state statute to let the Budget Committee create the default budget instead of the selectmen, town manager and the town's financial officials.
But it is the second citizen's petition that is perhaps the most controversial. It would reverse a recent selectmen's decision that bans fireworks displays on private property in the Beach Village District. Selectmen made their decision on safety grounds in December at the urging of fire Chief Jeff Brown and many beach residents, who feel homes in the district are so close together that fireworks could start fires.
If passed unamended, the citizen's petition would once again allow beach residents to shoot off fireworks, but it would still ban fireworks displays on the beach itself.
Final voting on warrant questions takes place by secret ballot at the polls on Tuesday, March 13, at Seabrook Community Center, which is when ballots are cast for those running for office this year.
Selectman: (1 seat) Maria Brown, Edward Hess Jr., Robie Beckman Jr., Paul Knowles
Planning Board: (2) Roger Frazee, Max Abramson
Budget Committee: (1) Dianna Demars
Trustee of the Trust Fund: (1) Carrie Fowler
Library Board of Trustee: (1) Eric Small
Tax Collector: (1) Lillian Knowles
Constables: (3) Jason Janvrin, Max Abramson, Michael Felch and Howard Page III
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