LONDONDERRY — With the deliberative sessions in Londonderry coming up, there are some specific items that warrant attention.
Londonderry’s deliberative session is split into two separate sessions, both at Londonderry High School, 295 Mammoth Road. The school board will be meeting Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. and the town deliberative session will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Between the two deliberative sessions, a total of 34 warrant articles that will be discussed.
The school district’s most pressing matters are the Moose Hill Building’s addition and renovation warrant articles.
Article 2 asks the town to authorize $23.1 million to design and construct additions and renovations to Moose Hill School. It also would authorize the School Board to apply for and accept any federal or state aid available for the project. The article was supported unanimously by the School Board and supported 6-1 by the Budget Committee.
Article 3 would only be applicable if Article 2 passed. It would be for the district to raise $11.1 million for the creation of an all-day kindergarten program. This would include outfitting additional classrooms for kindergarten and creating more programming. The article was supported 4-1 by the School Board, and supported 4-3 by the Budget Committee.
These two articles are meant to address the current overcrowding at Moose Hill School. In addition to a lack of classrooms, Londonderry is one of a handful of towns in New Hampshire not offering all-day kindergarten.
On the town side, Article 2 would be an amendment to the town charter that would change how the town fills its treasurer position.
If Article 2 passes, the position would be filled each year by the Town Council with a recommendation from the town manager. If it doesn’t pass, it would continue to be an elected position with a three-year term.
The Town Council recommended approval 4-1, but the budget committee voted against it by a 4-3 vote. This article would require no money to be raised and would have no impact on taxes paid in town.
Article 3 would authorize a loan for a water extension project to High Range Road. The total amount needed to fund the project is $25.8 million, but through funds from different sources, the town would need to raise a total of $215,000.
The town would receive $20.8 million from sources including the state, the Department of Environmental Services, and others. An additional $2 million would come from the American Rescue Plan Act, and a final $2.9 million would come from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. This project was unanimously recommended by both the Town Council and the Budget Committee.
By Katelyn Sahagian | [email protected]
Source link
