By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
PLAINFIELD, N.H. — Plainfield voters went straight down the warrant in approval at Town Meeting on Saturday, which included an overwhelming vote in favor of the town’s budget.
Article 2 asked the town to vote to raise and appropriate $3,130,136, and it passed 127-22.
The appropriation, after subtracting anticipated revenue, is about $3.09 of the town’s projected tax rate. This is a 4.2% increase over last year’s approved budget of $2,998,500.
Notable changes in the budget included the police portion, as the town is requesting $392,054 compared to last year’s requested amount of $502,780. Most of this came in the full-time officer line, as it dropped from $164,661.53 to $131,000. The chief’s salary also dropped from $106,999.58 to the requested amount of $92,500.
Solid waste garbage removal increased $100,000, going from $250,000 to $350,000. The water department salaries line increased from $30,000 to $42,000, and the department as a whole is asking for $80,3000, an increase of $24,300.
Article 3 was to see if the town will raise and appropriate $325,000 to be put into existing town capital reserve and general trust funds. It passed with a vote of 130-15.
Article 7 was also passed by ballot, with a vote of 118-20. This was a petition article voting that the town direct the selectboard to send a message to the governor and state legislature stating the following:
“Whereas, taxpayers have a right to know how their money is spent and deserve clear, verifiable evidence that it is being spent wisely and delivering results;
and Whereas, taxpayer dollars are being diverted from public schools to private and religious education through Education Freedom Accounts, and this shift does not reduce public school expenses, leaving local taxpayers to cover the difference through higher property taxes;
and Whereas, unlike public schools, private education funded by taxpayers through Education Freedom Accounts lacks key accountability measures, such as reporting how funds are used, tracking student performance, ensuring services for students with disabilities, and conducting background checks for staff;
Therefore, we, the voters of Plainfield, New Hampshire, call on our state elected officials to uphold their duty to fiscal responsibility by rejecting any expansion of taxpayer funding for private education until we have full accountability, transparency, and a sustainable funding plan that ensures no further strain on public schools or local property taxpayers. We further direct the Plainfield Select Board to deliver this warrant article and results in writing to New Hampshire’s Governor and members of the State Legislature within thirty days of this vote.”
Article 4 was to see if the town directs the selectboard to appoint a committee to continue the Kimball Union Academy/Plainfield Study. Article 5 asks the town to vote on appointing a finance committee of six Plainfield voters to advice the selectboard and other officers in “prudent affairs of the town.” Article 6 asked the town to vote to accept reports as written by town officers. These were all voted in by voice votes in the affirmative.
