EXETER — Exeter High School's auditorium will echo with "yays" and "nays" Saturday morning, as residents partake in the first part of Town Meeting: the deliberative session.
At deliberative session, participants have the opportunity to discuss, debate and amend warrant articles and the proposed budget. The purpose is to determine the finalized format of the ballot questions before they head to voters in March.
Expected hot topics at this year's deliberative session include two firefighter positions included in the operating budget, two major multi-million dollar Capital Improvements Program projects and various citizens petitions.
The Board of Selectmen and Budget Recommendations Committee have been at odds over Fire Department staffing, with three board members voting to add two additional positions despite the committee's unanimous recommendation against it. Budget committee members have called on town residents to remove the allotted amount from the operating budget for the two firefighters at Saturday's deliberative session.
The $7.1 million proposed Parks and Recreation redevelopment bond article is on the ballot in the form of a citizens petition.
The recreation expansion plans on Hampton Road include two youth softball fields in partnership with the Exeter Junior Baseball and Softball League, adding lights to the current soccer field and adult softball field, a soccer field expansion, a new playground to replace the current 1998 playground that does not meet current standards, moving the pool deck, and a 16,000-square-foot building for multiple uses including programming, offices and camp backup site.
The article was not recommended by selectmen in a 3-2 vote.
The Exeter Public Library is on the warrant with a proposed $5 million bond article, a renovation and expansion which includes additional children’s space, more study rooms, an energy-efficient HVAC system and a riverwalk from String Bridge to Founder’s Park. Selectmen voted 4-1 to recommend the library proposal.
Additional articles include a Washington Street waterline replacement, an additional proposed $1.1 million to add to the Epping Road TIF District, exploration and development of groundwater sources and the surface water system, and a $50,000 public safety study.
The proposed operating budget is $18,646,644, with the default budget as $18,264,224.
The deliberative session takes place Saturday, Feb. 3 beginning at 9 a.m. in the Exeter High School auditorium.