Town Meetings

February 04. 2013 6:20PM

Nottingham faces debate over 5.7 percent jump in budget

NOTTINGHAM - Voters will debate a steep tax rate increase at today's deliberative session. Residents face a 5.7 percent jump in the tax rate and several warrant articles dealing with one-time expenses.

The School District's Deliberative Session is scheduled to begin Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Nottingham Elementary School at 245 Stage Road (Route 152). Residents will vote March 12 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Nottingham Town Hall.

Article 2 would appropriate $10,640,085 for the district's operating budget. It is $608,554 - or 5.7 percent - larger than last year's budget of $10,031,531. If rejected, a default budget of $10,540,684 would be enacted and the district can hold a meeting to discuss a revised operating budget.

Article 6 would purchase $48,500 worth of new math textbooks and related materials if the default budget is enacted. If Article 2 is approved, Article 6 is void.

If approved, Article 3 would approve a three-year collective bargaining agreement and appropriate $8,728 to increase salaries and benefits of paraprofessionals in the 2013-14 fiscal year. The agreement also proposes to further increase salaries by $11,302 in 2014-15 and $11,998 the following year, but those appropriations would have to be approved by voters in the future.

If residents reject the agreement, Article 4 would allow the district to hold a special meeting to discuss the matter.

Article 5 would purchase $27,573 in equipment to upgrade security in the Nottingham School.

If approved, Articles 7 and 8 would each add $15,000 to two previously established Capital Reserve Funds to offset costs for building repair and special education, respectively.

Following a change in state statute, Article 9 would require the district to include a notation with the estimated tax impact on all applicable warrant articles in the future.

Article 10 petitions residents to change the term of the district clerk, moderator and treasurer from one year to three years. If approved, this would take effect during elections next year.