HOOKSETT – While voters at the deliberative session of Town Meeting reduced the cost of just one warrant article, their frustrating over rising taxes was made clear.
More than 100 people attended the five-hour meeting on Feb. 1 at Cawley Middle School, easily four or five times greater than they typical turnout of recent years.
“Hooksett is rapidly becoming unaffordable,” said Alan Brennan, standing to protest the cost of the town’s operation budget - more than $25.4 million. “There is no fiscal restraint.”
“Where were cuts done?” asked Ray Miclette.
Town Administrator Andre Garron responded: “We did tighten the belt.”
Hooksett is currently operating on a default budget. If voters decide to say no to the current proposed operating budget, the default would reduce the amount to be raised by taxes by close to $1 million.
Moves were made to zero-out several articles, but none were successful. Article 4, $2.8 million for improvements to Martins Ferry Road and North River Road generated a long discussion, with a 41-61 vote to leave the decision to the town on March 11.
“It’s important that we keep this town running,” said Germano Martins, a member of the Hooksett Budget Commitee. “People who live there will lose 911 response.”
Because that article was not recommended by the town council or budget committee, some said it should be zeroed-out and other sources of funding, possibly through Southern New Hampshire University, should be considered.
The one article that was reduced was Article 17, funding for a mapping system. It was cut in half to $37,500.
A similar cut to Article 20, which proposed raising $100,000 for a police equipment capital reserve fund, was restored when it was brought back for reconsideration later in the meeting. A 50 percent cut had passed on a vague hand vote, but later was restored to the full amount when Hooksett Police Chief Justin Sargent pleaded for the money.
You can view a video of the entire meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Kzm9dXKM0.
Voting will take place Tuesday, March 11, at Cawley Middle School.
