Chichester residents will see slight tax increase, warrant articles on open enrollment and municipal ethics

Town meeting in Chichester grew so heated over money last year that it had to be continued into April.

In the year since, municipal finances have continued to be a large point of contention, and as town meeting approaches once more, residents can expect to see a slight increase in both the town and school proposed budgets.

Chichester residents will be asked to approve a proposed operating budget of $3.9 million and a set of warrant articles that would add money into multiple town funds, allow for the purchase of additional public safety equipment and facilitate cemetery tree removal.

If all items pass, they’ll have a tax impact of $4.62 per $1000 of property value, representing a bill of around $1,850 on a $400,000 house.

The school’s operating budget sits at $8.5 million, with an estimated tax impact of around $12.55 if everything gets approved. This would mean an additional $5,020 in property taxes on a $400,000 house.

With the school and town combined, residents will see an estimated bill of over $6,860 on a similarly valued home.

The town’s warrant includes an article that would establish a Municipal Ethics Policy and create an Ethics Board “to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in local government.”

The school warrant includes an article that, if passed, would permit the town to enroll pupils from other districts while restricting Chichester students from attending other schools. Allenstown is considering a similar warrant article as state legislators attempt to pass a law mandating universal open enrollment.

For more information, visit https://www.chichesternh.org. The school district meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 7 at the Chichester Central School. The town meeting will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 14 at the same location.

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