Rollinsford voters to decide on town, school budgets, offices, use of Scoutland trail
ROLLINSFORD — The town's voters will head to the polls Tuesday, March 12 to vote on several items, including a proposed school budget of nearly $6.3 million, a town budget of more than $2.7 million and elected offices.
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Martel-Roberge American Legion at 551 Foundry St.
Rollinsford town ballot includes questions on Scoutland trail use
There are two competitive races. Kate Nesman and Michele J. Small are running. for tax collector, a position to be changed from elected to appointed in future years if voters approve on this year's ballot. Kelly Anderson and Jaime Boivin are competing for a two-year term on the Budget Committee.
Kim St. Hilaire is running unopposed for a three-year term on the Select Board.
The requested town budget is $2,762,411. Should the budget fail, the town would enact a default budget of $2,688,661, which is the amount of last year's approved budget plus any contractual obligations.
Two warrant articles involve town-owned land called Scoutland, a 3.1-mile loop trail. One article asks voters if they approve continuing to allow motorized off road vehicles there, while the other asks voters if they approve continuing to allow hunting.
A request for $300,000 for maintaining roads and sidewalks would require $150,000 from taxes, with the remainder coming from the fund balance.
Two articles, $45,000 for a fire department generator and $45,000 for a fire department sprinkler system, also use part fund balances, taking $20,000 off the price tag for each item.
Rollinsford school ballot includes teacher and paraprofessional contracts
Kerri Choate, in incumbent School Board member, is the only candidate on the ballot for two open positions on the board. The remaining positions on the ballot have candidates who are unopposed.
The budget request is for $6,288,784. If the budget fails to pass the district will revert to a default budget of $6,046,644, representing last year's approved budget plus any contract agreements.
Article 6 represents a collective bargaining agreement for teachers and paraprofessionals. The total appropriation is for $95,526 in increased costs, with $63,125 for the teacher contract and $32,401 for paraprofessionals.
Two warrant articles ask for an appropriation but the money will come from the fund balance and not from taxes. There is a request for $75,000 for the school building improvement fund and $10,000 for the educational expense trust fund.
Voters will be asked to approve starting a capital reserve fund for a new playground, and to add $1 to begin the fund.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rollinsford NH voters to decide on town, school budgets
