Gatsas: Trumpets tax cut
Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas announced that the city will see its tax rate decrease from the current $23.50 per thousand to $23.44. The budget passed by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in June projected a tax rate of $23.81.
In the statement released announcing the news Gatsas crowed:
“I am pleased that city residents will realize a decrease in their property tax bills this year. This comes as a direct result of a significant increase in the net assessed property valuation within the city predominantly in commercial building and utilities. This is further proof that economic development is vibrant in the city and we continue to a foster a climate for business to grow and thrive.”
The new tax rate will be reflected in the first tax bill for FY 2016. The new rate is a quarter point lower than the current tax rate and about one and a half percent lower than the rate projected in June.
In addition to an almost one hundred forty million dollar increase in the city’s property tax base, the city received just under one point one million dollars more in state education aid and saw an additional two hundred thirty thousand dollars in unexpected surplus at year’s end.
Against those pluses, were a shortfall of five hundred seventy five thousand dollars in projected school district revenues, a one hundred ninety five thousand dollar shortfall in projected city revenues and a six hundred twenty thousand dollar jump in the County Tax. We’ve linked to the story we published with all the details, including the letter from city Finance Officer Bill Sanders to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen with all the details from this news read at Girard at Large dot com.
MPD: Promotions, new officers announced
The Manchester Police Department will host ceremonies to swear in new officers and promote existing ones this morning. The newly promoted Captain Michael Begley, Lieutenant Steven Mangone and Sergeant Brian Caldwell will have their promotions recognized and new officers John Dunleavy, Ryan Olsen and Joseph Tucker will be sworn in. The ceremonies begin at ten this morning in the second floor training room at Manchester Police Headquarters on Valley Street.
Police in Bow are hosting what they’re calling an Information Sharing Session for residents who live on Ridgewood Drive, Bettys Lane and Poor Richards Drive at the Baker Free Library. According to the police, there’s been a lot of recent criminal activity in that area and they’re feeling the need to converse with residents. The session is scheduled for six to eight tonight. Any questions should be directed to Public Information Officer Art Merrigan of the Patrol Division at amerrigan@bow-nh.gov or 2 2 8 0 5 1 1
News from our own backyard continues after this.
Pearl: Will he get the last budget laugh?
Looks like things might get interesting in the town of Hooksett as the Budget Committee gets things under way. At a meeting last week, Budget Committee Chairman Patrick Gosselin circulated a document showing that school spending in town has jumped by nearly twenty percent in the past four years. That would cover the period of time the town went to war with Manchester over their tuition agreement. All totaled, school spending since the two thousand eleven twelve budget is up nearly four point eight million dollars. Two point five million of that increase, more than half, is attributed to higher high school tuition costs and increased spending on special programs.
There are four new members of the budget committee who won on a write in effort last March, including David Pearl, former vice-chair of the school board whose efforts t cut the school budget and revamp the default budget were thwarted by the board last and Tabitha Jennings who ran for school board on a platform of fiscal responsibility. Yup, should get interesting in Hooksett again! Of course, we have the document!
Jeb Bush, Jr. to address luncheon
The Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce has announced that Jeb Bush, Jr., son of the former Florida governor, will attend the Chamber’s Networking Leads & Referrals Lunch at 12 noon, this Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the Chamber’s office on 29 West Broadway in downtown Derry.
In making the announcement, Chamber President Will Stewart reiterated the Chamber is a non-partisan organization that does not endorse or otherwise support candidates or political parties. But, he said quote “We do, however, like to give our members the opportunity to meet with candidates of both parties (and their family members!), to become better educated on their respective platforms and ideas.”
If you’d like to take advantage of this unique opportunity, Stewart encourages you to RSVP for Tuesday’s lunch. It’s open to the public, FREE for Chamber members and features a meal from La Carreta Mexican Restaurant.
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
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