NORTH HAVERHILL–Approximately 50 people approved a $15.3 million budget for 2022-2023 during the annual school district meeting on March 12.
Some 200 people had gathered at the Haverhill Cooperative Middle School gymnasium that started at 9 a.m. But after more than three hours of debate and discussion on town business and a brief recess, there was a noticeable dip in attendance.
The disparity drew criticism.
CORINTH–Federal regulators hope to have a cleanup plan for a defunct copper mine ready for public scrutiny later this year.
The Pike Hill Mine in Corinth is one of three former Orange County copper mines on EPA’s Superfund site.
NEWBURY—Lt. Gov. Molly Gray met remotely with Newbury residents on March 9 to discuss the proposed juvenile detention facility that would be located in Newbury.
Gray, who grew up in Newbury and graduated from Newbury Elementary School, spent an hour answering Newbury residents’ questions about the status of the detention facility, which has been the subject of local debate since it was proposed in 2020.
BRADFORD—As the Bradford Selectboard considers changes to the town’s traffic ordinance, several residents have objected to proposals that would reduce parking along a stretch of Route 5 between the downtown and the town offices on North Main Street.
The 14-page ordinance identifies speed zones throughout town and signed intersections. It also establishes parking regulations and outlines enforcement mechanisms.
On March 10, the board held the first of two hearings soliciting public input on the potential changes. Two new parking regulations drew the most attention.
NORTH HAVERHILL—Haverhill voters approved appropriations for Woodsville precinct through petitioned warrant articles during the deliberative session of town meeting on Saturday.
Nearly 200 voters gathered at the Haverhill Cooperative Middle School gymnasium at 9 a.m. ahead of a snowstorm that intensified throughout the morning.
More than $5.1 million in municipal spending was approved for 2022 during the morning while nearly $15.5 million in school spending was approved for 2022-2023 during the afternoon.
Two petitioned warrant articles related to the town’s dispute with Woodsville precinct took center stage and voters moved them up on the warrant for consideration.
WARREN—Voters at town meeting on March 8 endorsed increased funding for the local ambulance service despite a 139% increase in its budget.
An early motion by Warren Treasurer Sheila Foote to cut funding for the 24/7 Warren-Wentworth ambulance service was eventually withdrawn after discussion over the reasons behind the request. Meanwhile a potentially controversial noise ordinance petitioned by a local resident displeased with a noisy campground was tabled without discussion.
Voters approved a combined total budget for school a-nd the town of over $3.9 million, an increase of about 4.4% over the previous year. Property taxes are expected to rise even more due to higher costs for the Warren Village School and decreased state aid.
BRADFORD—Some area students and school staff breathed sighs of relief on March 7 when several schools began implementing a mask-optional policies took effect.
Other schools are due to transition on March 14, per a recommendation from Vermont state officials.
PIERMONT—Piermonters will be asked whether they want to discontinue their membership with Upper Valley Ambulance and instead join Woodsville Ambulance on town meeting day.
“We’ve had people ask,” said selectboard chair Wayne Godfrey in an interview. “I think it should be discussed.”
NORTH HAVERHILL—Set to meet for the first time since 2020, Haverhill voters will gather at the middle school on Saturday morning.
After elections conducted on March 8, there are 32 articles remaining on the warrant for a new moderator to guide voters through. The school meeting starts one hour after the conclusion of the town meeting.
PIKE—For a former Peace Corps country director in Ukraine, the recent Russian invasion hits close to home.
Doug Teschner, of Pike, was in Ukraine in 2014 when Russia invaded the Crimean Peninsula on the Sea of Azov and annexed it into the Russian Federation. Teschner was there for the evacuation of Peace Corps volunteers. It was a bloodless takeover, but it foreshadowed today’s war.