Local/New Hampshire Politics:

EK reduces its 2010 budget

East Kingston reduces its 2010 budget by $35K

East Kingston prepares for final vote on March 9


By Angela DiVeglia
newsletter@seacoastonline.com
February 12, 2010 2:00 AM

EAST KINGSTON — Voters had few changes to proposed town and school district warrant articles up for debate at deliberative sessions earlier this month.

At the town deliberative session on Feb. 2 there was a motion by Selectman Matthew Dworman to reduce the $2,575,000 operating budget for 2010 by $35,000.

"The amendment passed unanimously, and now our actual budget is less than our default (budget of $2,557,000)," said David R. Pendell, Jr.

Pendell said the decrease in budget was requested because the previous year's legal expenses were considered in the initial proposed budget. Since the budget was first drafted, those legal expenses have been settled.

Pendell also said that two of the warrant articles were completed eliminated.

Article 17, a petition submitted by Wyman E. Shuler and 26 other registered voters on defining "marriage" was eliminated. On the March 9 ballot it will state only "on the petition."

Article 15 was basically eliminated. It was amended to only state "shall the town."

Article 15 asks the town to adopt the provisions of RSA 202-A:4-D authorizing indefinitely, until specific rescission of such authority, the East Kingston Public Library Trustees to accept gifts of personal property, other than money, which may be offered to the library for any public purpose.

While there was clarification on some amendments during the Feb. 2 deliberative session, there was no heated debate.

In regards to the school district deliberative session on Feb. 1, Assistant Superintendent Tony Baldasaro said the session was about 18 minutes and peaceful.

Baldasaro both of the two articles passed with a unanimous vote.

Article 1, which is recommended by the School Board, asks voters to approve a $2,521,570 operating budget for 2010.

Article 2, which was also recommended by the School Board, asks voters to approve a collective bargaining agreement from Sept. 1, 2010 to Aug. 31, 2012.

The East Kingston Teachers' Association contract calls for zero salary increases for 2010-11 school year while providing a 2.25 percent increase for 2011-12.

School Board member Timothy Law said there was a very small difference between the operating budget and the default budget, which proves how lean the town intends on operating this year.

"I know we really had to sharpen our pencils, and I'm sure others are too," said Law.

School Board members want to see a positive vote March 9 on the budget and the teachers' contract, Nigrello said.

To view town warrant articles visit http://www.eastkingstonnh.org/docs/selectminutes/2010/2010warrantarticles.pdf.

To view the school district warrant online, visit http://www.sau16.org/schools/schoolboards/minutes/eastkingston/2010/EK%20warrant.pdf.