News

Government at a Glance


Published: May 8, 2008

West Newbury Annual Town Meeting

April 28, 2008

APPROVED

Article 3. A $10.5 million line-item budget. Several voters questioned a 20 percent salary increase for the Health Agent in a budget where other municipal employees are only receiving 21/2 percent increases; but the amount was eventually approved. The Board of Health justified the pay hike as a necessary response to increased local workload coming from the state. At the end of the meeting, $591,311 remained in Free Cash, $255,723 in the Stabilization Account, and $14,000 in Excess Tax Levy capacity.

Article 5. $622,852 for the Water Department budget in anticipation of department revenues.

Article 6. $17,000 to fund Post Retirement Benefits for Water Department employees.

Article 7. $170,000 to be added to the Stabilization Fund.

Article 8. $53,300 for a Structural Safety and Component Assessment of the Page School. A tri-town committee is working to create a master plan for buildings of the Pentucket Regional School District, but recommendations from that process are "years down the road," selectmen said.

Article 9. $64,000 for exterior trim painting, carpet replacement and flooring repair at the Page School.

Article 10. $17,000 to purchase a pickup truck for the Department of Public Works.

Article 11. $54,300 to cover electrical, heating and painting upgrades to the Old Town Hall. Voters discussed the possibility of funding some repairs with Community Preservation Act money before deciding to approve the full amount.

Article 12. $138,000 to purchase a new dump truck and sander/plow for the DPW. A trade-in from the old truck will offset costs for the purchase.

Article 13. $21,472 from the Septic Loan Revolving Account for repayment of debt service for a state-financed loan program for qualifying homeowners in need of septic repairs.

Article 14. $145,950 to pay the debt service associated with the Dunn Property Acquisition made in May 2003.

Article 15. The following recommended reserves to the Community Preservation account; $36,508 each for Historic, Community Housing, and Open Space reserves; $18,254 for administrative expenses, and $237,300 total in budgeted reserves for FY2009. Since 2007, the CPA property tax surcharge has raised $430,000 and received $355,000 in state matching funds. Discussions on how to spend CPA funds take place on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the first floor hearing room on the 1910 Building.

Article 16. $91,000 to fund Post Retirement Benefits for non-Water Department municipal employees.

Article 17. $100,000 from Free Cash and $200,000 from the Stabilization Account to be used as a down payment on the acquisition and equipping of an aerial ladder firetruck for the Fire Department. An annual payment of around $45,000 will be taken from the Fire Department budget for 15 years to pay the balance on the truck. Fire Engineers are currently reviewing several bids for a custom-built vehicle.

Article 18. $6,200 to fund computer, radio and DVR replacements for the Police and Dispatch Departments.

Article 19. Asking Selectmen to appointment a committee to study and make recommendations regarding possible uses for 37.5 acres off Sullivan's Court, 61A agricultural land that is currently on the market.

Article 20. Enacting a Bylaw authorizing Selectmen to designate a board or officer to issue permits for the excavation of trenches and to adopt relative regulations and fees schedules.

Article 21. A housekeeping amendment to correct minor language in the Community Preservation Committee Bylaw.

RECOGNIZED

Robin Shively as Citizen of the Year. Shively is a former selectman, fundraiser for the Pentucket School District, point man for the Municipal Apartment Renovation project, and involved in the Community Bandstand, video recording municipal meetings for public rebroadcast, and Mill Pond activities.

David Meister as Employee of the Year. Custodian of the town buildings, Meister was cited for his work ethic and as a "gentleman and asset to town operations."