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Warner adopts $3.19 million 2005 budget and approves a string of capital appropriations
Summary
At the annual meeting voters adopted the posted 2005 budget of $3,185,752 (Article 24) after rejecting an amendment to cap the operating budget at a 5% increase. Numerous separate appropriations and capital reserve additions were also approved, including funds for a fire tanker (Article 10), road reconstruction, equipment, and conservation.
Warner voters on March 9 approved the town’s posted 2005 budget and a series of departmental and capital appropriations.
The full budget (Article 24) totaling $3,185,752 passed by paper ballot: YES 129 NO 24. A citizen amendment proposing a 5% cap on operating expenses (based on 2004 actual expenditures) was defeated by paper ballot (YES 32 NO 124). The amendment sponsor, Henry Garcia, described the proposal as a strict cap that would have reduced the proposed budget by roughly $148,263; supporters and Town officials discussed the practical implications before the votes.
Separate appropriations approved during the meeting included: a $250,000 appropriation for a Fire Department tanker (Article 10) composed of a $237,500 grant and $12,500 to be raised by taxation if the grant is received; $80,000 to the Fire Building/Renovation Capital Reserve Fund (Article 11); $70,000 for a mandated statistical update of assessed values (Article 12); $58,000 for a 1½ ton dump truck (Article 13); $50,000 to the East Roby Road reconstruction CRF (Article 14) — that article passed by paper ballot (YES 128 NO 51); and other appropriations for highway equipment, conservation fund, town hall roof repair, police cruiser replacement, transfer-station equipment and records preservation.
Several motions to "move the question" and limit reconsideration were made and adopted during the meeting. Christine Perkins successfully moved to restrict reconsideration on Article 8 and a block of subsequent articles (8,10–22); later, a motion to restrict reconsideration on Articles 23 and 24 also passed.
Next steps: appropriated funds will be handled by the relevant town officers and boards. The Fire Department tanker purchase is contingent on receipt of the recorded grant; if the grant is not received, the minutes state that no money will be expended for that item.
