Budget season.

The TC met for several hours this past week to review the budget presented by the Town Administrator. We reviewed each department with the department heads, going through the budget line item by line item. Being new to the Council, it was an eye-opening exercise.

In the end, the TC has recommended an additional $110,000* in cuts to the operating budget. This will be presented as a resolution Wednesday night, voted on, and then the budget will go to the Budget Committee.

The $110,000 represents a lot of small cuts and one big change due to a mistake that was found while we went through the budget. Some of the cuts include: Welfare, cut by approximately $11,000; IT cut by $2,500; Buildings and Grounds, cut by about $16,000; Fire, cut by $2,500; and Solid Waste, cut by $5,000.

In addition, we had a discussion about the fund balance and what to do with it. After much debate, the consensus was to use the funds a little differently than in recent years. We are recommending to use $450,000 of the fund balance to offset expenses in Fiscal Year 2016. But this year the CIP contributions have been separated from the operating budget and people will vote on those as individual warrant articles. The bulk of that $450,000 will go toward funding those contributions. The remainder, approximately $75,000, will be used to offset general expenses. 

We will also create a new Capital Improvement item (recommending to place approximately $100,000 in that fund) for road repair and then applying the remainder to lowering the tax rate for next year (approximately $100,000). 

I know there are things that we probably should spend more money on - roads are a great example -  but we tried to find a middle ground. Overall, the Council worked very well together and it was a positive experience for me (or as positive as spending hours on a Saturday morning looking at budgets can be.)

The Budget Committee will review the Town budget on 11/17 & 11/24 at 6:30pm.  The public hearing for the Town budget is scheduled for 12/17 at 7pm. In addition, the school district is also starting their budget process. The School Board will meet this Thursday at 6:00pm to discuss the budget.


*All numbers are approximates. 

Is this right for Newmarket?

Let's not forget this one, Newmarket:

This is something that has had a direct impact on Newmarket: Josh Davenport voted for a moratorium on school building aid and grants. 

Note--Adam Schroadter did not vote.

**Originally posted on 10/26/12 

Remember the issues?

I was surprised to read the Seacoast Media editorial staff's endorsement of Phil Nazzaro last week.

At first.

Then I remembered that this isn't the first time I've disagreed with their endorsements. Remember this?

I like Phil and I work with him on the Town Council here in Newmarket. He has done a lot of good things for our town, which I'm sure he will continue to do. But this election is about the State of NH and some very important issues. 

Here are some of Martha Fuller Clark's recent votes that support not just with what I believe in, but what the Seacoast Media editorial board seems to support:

• She supported an increase to the minimum wage.

• She voted to repeal the death penalty in NH.

• She believes New Hampshire citizens should have access to affordable, comprehensive health care and voted to expand Medicaid eligibility in NH.

• She supports same sex marriage.

• She voted for the legalization of medical marijuana.

Perhaps Seacoast Media should take a look at the issues and examine voting records before making an endorsement.

As I said, I like Phil. But this election is about issues, not just people. I encourage you to take a look at Martha Fuller Clark's voting record. And most of all, make plans to vote on November 4.

Maybe he forgot he has a voting record?

When asked to explain his stance on women's rights at the candidate's forum in Newmarket on Tuesday, Adam Schroadter said "I am in favor of a woman's right to decide what she wants to do with her body, if that's how you're coining it."

His record says otherwise:

• Adam voted for removing comprehensive preventive health services for women, such as contraception, from benefits expected to be covered by insurance companies. (HR29, Roll Call #103, 2/22/2012)

• Adam voted for allowing any employer to deny coverage for contraception based on the employer's personal beliefs. (HB1546, Roll Call #117, 3/7/2012)

• Adam voted for defunding Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. (HCR41, Roll Call #123, 3/7/2012)

• Adam voted for purposefully obstructing a woman from receiving a legal abortion and forcing doctors to provide false and inaccurate information to patients, such as stating that abortions cause breast cancer. (HB1659, Roll Call #148, 3/14/2012)

• Adam voted for making it illegal for a woman to receive an abortion after 20 weeks. (HB1660, Roll Call #214, 3/29/2012)

• Adam voted for adding a 24-hour waiting period for abortions to a bill that otherwise addressed research and development tax credits for businesses. (SB295, Roll Call #249, 5/15/2012) 

• Adam voted for prosecuting individuals who knowingly or unknowingly caused the death of a fetus starting at eight weeks. Medical experts believe that approximately one out of four pregnancies ends in miscarriage by the end of 8 weeks; under this law women are unfairly targeted without any basis in sound medical science. (HB217, Roll Call #10, 1/4/2012)

• Governor's Lynch vetoed a bill that would ban abortion even when a woman's health is in jeopardy. Adam voted for overriding that veto in an attempt to establish this controversial law. (HB1679, Roll Call #303, 6/27/2012)

• Adam voted for overriding Governor Lynch's veto of a bill that makes it difficult for New Hampshire residents to obtain fertility treatments and unreasonably restricts a woman's rights during pregnancy. (HB217, Roll Call #311, 6/27/2012)  

I know what he said, but this is how he voted. How will YOU vote on November 4th?  

Let's keep moving forward.

Many times, elections are focused on the big races. Millions of dollars and countless hours are spent on those campaigns. But our state elections matter and have a significant impact on our lives, our rights and our freedoms. 

So let's talk about women's health and how the State government can affect it. We've read about what's been happening in Texas, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Arizona. But do you remember what was happening here in New Hampshire under a Republican controlled House in 2011-2012? 

Here are some of the issues that the NH House took on during that time:

• Defunding Planned Parenthood, jeopardizing the health care of thousands of NH women.
• Requiring parental notification before a minor receives an abortion even in the case of rape, abuse or incest.
• Removing comprehensive preventative health services for women, including contraception, from benefits expected to be covered by health insurers.
• Allowing employers to deny coverage for contraception based on the employers' personal beliefs.
• Forcing doctors to provide false information to patients seeking abortions, including that abortion causes breast cancer.
• Banning abortion even when a woman's health is in danger.
• Prosecuting individuals who knowingly or unknowingly cause the death of a fetus, a bill that could make it difficult for women seeking fertility treatment.

Adam Schroadter and Josh Davenport both supported all of these bills. If you're not from Newmarket or Newfields, go to http://votesmart.org/ to find out how your representatives voted.

Do you want to go back to this, New Hampshire? Is this what you want for yourself, your wife or your daughters? In Newmarket and Newfields, vote for Michael Cahill, Marcia Moody, Ella Walichnowska and Patty Lovejoy. Together we can protect our rights.
 

Turn out for what?

I love this for so many reasons.

Our votes matter.

I'm turning out for Education, Women's rights, Equality, Climate change and Gun control. Why are you turning out? 

Edited: After several attempts, I figured out how to make the video display correctly. Or so I thought. Though it works on my laptop, it won't play on my phone. So, in case you're having the same issue, here's the link: http://rockthevote.com/turnoutforwhat/

Strategy.

"Schools seek public input. Volunteers wanted for strategic planning process." 

That was the headline of an article in today's Exeter Newsletter--about SAU 16.

It's no secret I've been critical of the process to find a solution to the school facilities problem here in Newmarket over the last several months. It has lacked input and transparency from the beginning. And it ended with a group of only FOUR at-large community members that many do not feel represent their voice.

The plan for SAU 16's Strategic Planning Steering Committee outlined in today's article is in stark contrast to the path Newmarket has begun:

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12 to 15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate.

- See more at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20141007/NEWS/141009447/101106/NEWS#sthash.nMAg6c74.dpuf

"Morgan said there were as many as 75 people who served on subcommittees when the current strategic plan was created. He hopes there will be just as much interest in the new one.

Each subcommittee is expected to have 12-15 members with various backgrounds who will represent different communities and different points of view. Morgan said students, parents, staff and other community members are invited to participate."

The Joint Advisory Committee has said they will look to other communities for information and input. This is a good start.

Know your reps.

Learn about the candidates running for State Office. Project Vote Smart is a great resource. 

For instance, did you know that Adam Schroadter and  Josh Davenport voted for the moratorium on state building aid, voted in favor of eliminating compulsory school attendance, voted against funding for Head Start and voted to repeal universal kindergarten?

Marcia Moody, Michael Cahill and Patty Lovejoy have shown great support for education in NH.

Election season.

State elections are in a little over a month. Are you ready?  

I wrote this almost 2 years ago, and feel the need to repeat it today. Both Adam and Josh are on the ballot again their records speak volumes. 

Here's what I posted on November 5, 2012:

This has not been a question of whether or not these guys are nice people--they are. But being nice isn't a good enough reason for me to vote for them. Too much is at stake.

I've written that Adam Schroadter and Josh Davenport:

• voted to allow guns on college campuses and in the State House
• voted against funding for drug and alcohol treatment
• voted against funding for the Head Start program 
• voted to divert taxpayer money to private and religious schools 
• voted to repeal public kindergarten 
• voted to eliminate compulsory school attendance
• voted to allow parents to object to school curriculum for any reason
• voted for the Voter ID law
• voted to eliminate gun licensing requirements 
• voted to legally allow businesses to discriminate against gay couples
• voted to defund Planned Parenthood
• voted for removing preventive health services for women from benefits expected to be covered by insurance companies
• voted to force doctors to give false information to women seeking abortions 
• voted to repeal NH's participation in RGGI
• they voted for Right to Work
• they voted to expand the death penalty 

Our State elections matter--please do your homework, Newmarket. 

We vote on November 4, 2014. Polls will be open from 7am-7pm at Town Hall.