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Select Board schedules Feb. 10 public hearing on petition to expand Select Board and advances warrant review
Summary
The board set a public hearing for Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. to hear a petitioned warrant article seeking to increase the Select Board from three to five members and continued detailed review of several fiscal warrant articles, including road funding and a proposed seventh police officer.
The New Ipswich Select Board set a public hearing for 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 to satisfy an attorney’s requirement for a petitioned warrant article that would expand the Select Board from three to five members. The town attorney advised the board that under RSA 418‑B a public hearing must be scheduled within 10 days of receiving a properly filed petition.
Board members discussed whether to hold the hearing separately or piggyback it on an existing public hearing on Feb. 10; they agreed to hold it at 6:30 p.m. and to publish required notices. The board also continued a line‑by‑line review of the warrant and discussed several money articles.
Highlights of the warrant discussion:
- Article 6: The operating budget (posted amount $4,026,145; default budget $3,864,498) was read; board members discussed timing for voting and whether to make final recommendations prior to deliberative sessions.
- Articles 7–8: Road maintenance appropriations (special, non‑lapsing appropriations) drew comment about the scale of requested funds and the town’s priorities.
- Article 9: The board reviewed $391,000 of proposed transfers to capital reserves/expendable trusts for highway, building, fire, police and other funds; members discussed the police reserve line and vehicle replacement planning.
- Article 16: A petitioned article to add a seventh full‑time police officer was discussed at length; members questioned whether recurring costs (estimated roughly $150,000 annually including salary and benefits) are justified versus temporary coverage or overtime arrangements.
- Article 22: A petitioned set of donations totaling $9,970 to regional health and social services prompted debate on whether public funds should be used for the listed agencies; one board member objected on principle, noting past concerns with organizational stances.
Board members agreed they could revise recommendations at the deliberative session but wanted the public notice and hearing schedule finalized so residents have opportunity to speak. Staff will post the full warrant, a long‑form version and any planning board recommendations ahead of the public sessions and deliberative meeting.
