Council continues to seek ways to trim budget

Derry

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May 14, 2009

By Julie Huss

DERRY — Cash talk continued last week as town council heard from residents offering insight on how to spend taxpayers' money.

During a public hearing residents spoke up about several programs now earmarked to possibly lose funding in next year's proposed budget.

The council has worked on the budget numbers, making suggestions on ways to cut back and save the town money, but some programs may lose funding because of those cuts.

One program, the Adult Learner Services of Greater Derry, stands to lose $2,500 in town funding and many associated with the free adult tutoring service said a major impact would occur without that money.

"This program is a bargain," said Kathy Mercer, who runs the program, along with several adult tutors, teaching reading, writing, math, GED prep, and English as a Second Language programs.

Mercer told councillors the program services more than 80 students, with many volunteers pitching in to help teach. Adult Learner Services has been in Derry more than 15 years, she added, and is growing due to the economy and the need to brush up on basic skills or to get that high school document.

Mercer said the feedback she hears is tremendous and many adults and famlies benefit from the program. She said anywhere from 75 to 80 percent of the programs students hail from Derry.

Program supporter Barbara McCarthy said Adult Learner Services is one thing that makes Derry the kind of community one wants to be associated with.

"This affects a lot of people in only good ways," she said, adding she hoped the council would consider funding the program next year.

Another program coming before council was the Cooperative Alliance for Regional Transportation, or CART, a van service in this area where people can take a ride for only $2.

The van service has grown a lot since it began back in 2006 and offers people a chance to ride to medical appointments, shopping, and other destinations. Derry residents account for about 40 percent of CART users and the program is also subsidized by the other communities using the van service including the towns of Chester, Danville, Hampstead, Londonderry, Plaistow, Salem, Sandown and Windham.

But councilors noted cutbacks in many areas, including reducing overtime for town departments, but did agree to bring on additional police officers in next year's numbers.

The town's proposed budget also included a $4 million bond to build a new recreation facility, but that plan got cut quickly. Now with federal stimulus money headed Derry's way for energy upgrades, a proposal to renovate Veterans Hall in in the works.

"We've been looking at making considerable energy upgrades to the Veterans Memorial Hall," said Mike Fowler, Derry's director of public works. "There are three big tasks that the town may be seeking to do. These are improving the heating system, replacing doors and windows, and some insulation work."

The hall, located, at 31 West Broadway, was built in 1928 and houses the town's recreation department. The gym is used for recreational basketball, Special Olympics training and senior activities.

Resident John Burtis told council the money situation is "particularly grim" but hoped the council would keep the economy in mind when planning the budget.

"This town really needs to look at areas [where we can recoupe] real economics," Burtis said, "and look at a budget that's going to reflect things."

Town Council is scheduled to approve the budget on May 26.