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Town of Lee discusses Warrant Article Four to raise operating budget
Summary
The Town of Lee select board reviewed Warrant Article Four, which as read would raise the operating budget to the figure posted on the warrant and includes a $6,000 line item for regional planning dues; a motion to approve the article passed by voice vote.
Warrant Article Four, proposing an increase in the Town of Lee operating budget, was read and approved by the select board at the Feb. 7 meeting. The warrant as read lists a requested budget totaling $5,686,521 and a default budget of $5,598,662, the Clerk said. The warrant also cited RSA 40:13 in describing the board’s authority to hold a special meeting on budget revisions.
Why it matters: Board members said the $6,000 change approved at the deliberative session covers dues to Strafford County regional planning; paying those dues, the board was told, secures the town a voting voice on major regional projects and access to planning studies affecting the town.
Discussion and motion: Board members discussed an incorrect line on the printed warrant that appears to state a recommendation the board did not intend. "Just don't read that line," one member said, urging the board to proceed with the correct motion language. A select board member then moved "to approve Warrant Article number four as presented with the amendment," another member seconded, and the motion passed on a voice vote.
Details: The Clerk read the tax-rate impacts printed on the warrant as read aloud during the meeting. The warrant lists the "estimated tax rate impact of requested budget" and an "estimated tax rate of default budget" as presented in the posted warrant. The board did not provide a roll-call vote count at the meeting; the motion was approved by voice vote.
Next steps: With the board vote, the article as moved will stand as the board's action on the warrant item pending any further procedural requirements. The meeting then moved to a separate agenda item concerning the library furnace and contingency funds.
Sources: Clerk (warrant reading), select board members (discussion, motion).
