Published on March 3, 2010

NEWPORT CENTER — Although they were obviously feeling that it's a time for belt-tightening, voters here handily approved all proposed budgets at Town Meeting Tuesday night.

The main item of contention was whether the town should institute a "clean energy district."

Clean energy assessment districts are the result of a new state program that helps Vermonters pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for homes and businesses.  It's a voluntary program that allows individuals who want to make eligible energy improvements to opt into a special assessment district created by their municipality.

Projects are funded by municipal bonds or other municipal debt, and repaid by the citizen over 20 years. A maximum of $30,000 can be borrowed.

Selectman Steve Barrup said the board has been thinking about how the town could reduce energy consumption and lessen its carbon footprint.  "A lot of work has gone into this already," he said.  "I don't want to do any more legwork unless the community wants to go forward."

The community was clearly divided, as evidenced by the vote, which was 46 in favor and 41 against.

"My opinion is that the town should not be in the business of lending money to private individuals," said school board member Glenn Foster.

Ernest Choquette was worried that a person could sell his or her home and the town would be liable for the debt a homeowner incurred for an energy project.

Mr. Barrup said the debt goes with the new property owner in the event of sale.  "The whole town has to vote this in, but it doesn't mean every taxpayer pays," he said.

Mr. Choquette remained unconvinced that the town couldn't somehow be left with a liability.  He said he was not opposed to the creation of such a district.  However, he proposed an amendment that the town bond for the money to fund projects rather than use unreserved funds.  The amendment failed by a hand vote.

The school budget of $2,446,402, slightly down from last year's of $2,458,090, passed on a ballot vote of 69-22.  One question voters had was about the student-teacher ratio, which is less than eight to one.

Mr. Foster offered a presentation showing where the money goes — more than half to salaries and benefits.  It also showed that Newport Center does have a fairly low student-teacher ratio, but not the lowest.   At 7.9 to one, it's the fourth lowest in the district.  That's primarily a result of student enrollment, he said.

Mr. Barrup wondered if it made sense to bring seventh- and eighth-graders back to town rather than continue sending them to North Country Junior High School in Derby.  Would it save money? he asked.

The school board has not discussed that, said its chairman, Wilma Therrien.  She said the school has no space for them, and she does not see that it would save money.

Also, she said, even those parents who did not want their children sent out are now happy with the programs that the junior high offers. Offering the same level of programming at the Newport Center School would likely mean adding teachers, she said.  "I don't see any benefit in bringing them back at this point," she said about the junior high students.

The fire department was appropriated $25,000, the same as last year, with no discussion.

A second request for $10,000 for new gear for the fire department was also approved.

The general fund budget of $200,329 was approved on a voice vote. Last year's budget was $181,602.

The roads and equipment budget of $495,183 passed easily on a voice vote.  Last year's budget was $529,996.

Tom Howell was re-elected selectman for a three-year term.  Ms. Therrien was re-elected for a three-year term.  All other town officers were re-elected except for Dan Boone, who was not interested in continuing as a planning board member.  He was replaced by Doug McKenny, who will serve a three-year term.

Gary Slawson resigned from the planning board.  There were no nominations to replace him, so Moderator Bob Hilliker said the selectmen will have to appoint someone.

An item asking for $50,000 to build an equipment storage shed and buy a back-up generator brought up more concerns about how to save, or at least not spend, money in tough times.

"Where is the equipment stored now?" asked Deb Brewer.  Is it really a necessary expenditure in such tough times? she wondered.  "This might be something that could wait for another year."  She added that she is in favor of buying the generator, although she questioned construction of the shed.

Mr. Barrup said the equipment is currently stored outside.  He said the town has a generator, but needs a portable one that could be moved to where it's needed.  If the item passed, the old generator would be sold.  The item passed on a voice vote.