By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — The proposed 2018-19 Newport Town Budget of $11,427,744 is projected to raise taxes by 18 cents per $1,000 according to information released Monday night at a meeting of the Board of Selectmen.
The 2017-18 budget came in at $10,795,726.
Revenue in the new budget is projected at $6,384,569. Local taxes needed came in at $5,043,175 making the projected town tax rate $11.69 per $1,000. The current tax rate is $11.51.
Additional warrant articles are still in the process of being completed.
The operating budget is now in the hands of the Newport Budget Committee.
There will be one opening on the Newport Board of Selectmen, a three-year term. The seat is now held by Todd Fratzel. The filing period is March 21 to March 30.
During Monday’s meeting the selectmen set new rental standards for use of the Newport Opera House starting July 1.
For the Newport Opera House Association the fee will be $150 per event. For all others it will be $300. If a maintenance crew from the town is needed to help set up or take down the charge will be an additional $300.
The budget also includes a change in hours by personnel associated with the Town Office of Planning and Zoning.
Effective July 1 the hours of the Planning and Zoning Administrator will be changed from 40 hours per week to 24. Other employee hours will be clerical help, 20; building inspector, 12; and contracted time with the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, 8.
At a recent meeting of the Newport Board of Selectmen it was announced that the contract of Town Manager Hunter Rieseberg has been extended for two years at an annual salary of $120,000.
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