CHESTER — Residents will gather Wednesday, May 14, to consider a $3.4 million operating budget for next year and also a long list of warrant articles.
The annual Town Meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the multipurpose room at the town office complex on Chester Street.
Warrant articles include road improvements, construction projects, and vehicles and staffing for the Police Department.
The warrant also includes several citizens' petitions dealing with the town's budget committee.
The operating budget for next year, according to Budget Committee member Rhonda Lamphere, shows a 4 percent, or $134,428, increase. She said selectmen and committee members worked hard to keep the budget balanced and put Chester's households under consideration when making spending decisions and budgetary plans.
An article to repair town roads totals $1.4 million and includes proposed work on Jennifer Drive, Holman Way, Parker Road and Rand Drive. Another construction project asks voters to spend $275,000 to repair the Wason Pond Dam and another $120,000 for engineering plans to reconstruct and repair Fremont and Lane roads.
Town Meeting will also ask voters to approve $85,000 to be added to the Winter Road Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund, established in 2006 for sanding, salting and plowing roads and for compensating workers for winter road care and maintenance.
Other articles on the town warrant include:
— $61,100 to hire one full-time police officer, including salary, benefits and full uniform and equipment.
— $33,483 to buy a police cruiser and in-car camera for the Police Department.
— $37,853 to buy a Ford Expedition and in-car camera for the Police Department.
— $9,400 to help maintain and repair Spring Hill Farm and its buildings on Towle Road.
Chester votes
On Tuesday, voters went to the polls to choose town and school district officials and also considered several planning and zoning articles on the ballot. For a complete listing of all Chester election day results, log onto www.derrynews.com. For a complete report on the election and the results of the Town Meeting, see Friday's edition of the Derry News.
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