The effects of increasing the property tax levy limit lead the discussion over the 41 articles on the Jefferson town warrant at the town’s annual public hearing March 19.
Roughly 25 people showed up for the informational hearing, moderated by Don Means. Selectmen and town officials answered questions mostly pertaining to line items in the proposed budget showing increases in local government administration and roadwork.
Officials also addressed new articles in the budget related to borrowing money for the town and appropriating funds from undesignated surplus for town related emergencies.
Article 34 asks voters to approve raising $100,000 from taxation to repave the Hodgkins Hill Rd. In response to a question from an audience member, Jefferson road commissioner Nathan Northrup said that aside from some ditching and clearing of brush, the 1.6 mile road is close to being ready for paving. In response to the price ticket, Northrup said that they could put it out to bid, but the price of asphalt has risen two and a half times in the past year.
Jefferson resident Tina White asked selectmen why article 35, which asks the town for $8000 to replace the septic system at the town office, is on the ballot. Selectman James Hilton said they would have been able to cover this cost last year, but article 37 did not pass in 2008
The rejection of article 37 prevented town officials from covering the costs associated with the preceding three articles on the ballot. Town clerk Lynn Bond said the articles to do the work passed, but the article that would have provided the money to do the work did not pass.
Another resident asked why the town is being asked to raise $1500 from taxation to provide supplementary accident insurance for Jefferson Fire and Rescue personnel when the fire department could put the cost in their own budget.
Mary Morris, whose husband Walter is the Assistant Fire Chief of Jefferson Fire and Rescue, said the department couldn’t cover the extra cost. Supported by Hilton. Morris explained firefighters are covered when they go to a fire, but not when they are performing other, non-emergency related activities.
Article 37 asks voters to increase the property tax levy limit of $0 by $109,500, which would be in effect for the 2009 budget and following years. Hilton said they have been taking funds from surplus to pay for increased expenses.
Town officials want the town to vote to increase the limit to cover expenses in the preceding articles. The town can only borrow up to what can be raised from taxation and no more than what is approved by town voters. Passing article 37 raises the bar, selectmen said.
“You don’t have to spend it just because it’s there,” Hilton said after those in attendance learned the funds, still to be in effect in following budgets, might not be spent.
As Bond later stated during a telephone follow-up interview, the town does not budget excise tax until the year is closed, then that money is put into surplus. The goal, Bond said, is to increase undesignated funds from surplus.
She said town citizens voted to increase school spending limits for the past three years, while taxes in the town of Jefferson have not been increased for the municipal budget for the past three years.
Selectmen and others at the informational hearing reached general understanding of article 37; an item in the budget that many acknowledged was confusing. The last item, article 23, drew silence at first when prompted by the moderator if there were any questions.
Article 23 asks Jefferson voters to repeal previous town shoreland zoning ordinances and replace them with another ordinance titled, “Town of Jefferson Shoreland Zoning Ordinance”, which the Planning Board put together.
Selectman Hilton asked if everyone understood what it would mean if the town voted this article down. Selectmen and members of the Planning Board said the state version of the shoreland zoning ordinance, which would be put in place if the town voted this one down, would be more strict.
The state sets shoreland zoning guidelines, but the town Planning Board used some of the flexible spaces in these guidelines to create an ordinance they thought best suited the town.
“What we’ve got I think is a pretty good deal,” Hilton said.
Polls will be open for voting on the town warrant on March 31 at the Jefferson Fire and Rescue station from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Moderator Means wanted to remind all those present that there will be a hearing for the proposed new school building in Jefferson on April 1 at the Jefferson Village School gymnasium at 6:30 p.m. A straw poll will follow the hearing to gauge the interests of the community on the issue.
