The Rehoboth
Reporter
MAY 2012 VOLUME 24, NO. 5
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Serving the Residents of Rehoboth, Seekonk and Surrounding Communities Since 1989
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Rehoboth Town Meeting Preview
by Laura Calverley Rehoboth’s Annual Town Meeting is May 14 and residents will be reviewing the Fiscal Year 2013 budget and 22 warrant articles including proposals for a new town hall and affordable senior housing. The evening will begin with a Special Town Meeting at 7 p.m. to make some changes in the current fiscal year. There are six articles on the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. The Rehoboth Water District’s annual meeting is also scheduled to take place that night.
Special Town Meeting
Articles for the Special Town Meeting include $98,000 to purchase three police vehicles, a $4,000 salary increase for Fire Chief Robert Pray, a few 2012 budget transfers and two spending requests from the Community Preservation Fund – one for a conservation restriction and trail easement and one to replace window shutters at the Hornbine School. The police vehicle purchase would likely come from Free Cash, which has approximately $463,000 at this time. The finance committee had previously recommended the purchase of two vehicles so there may be some discussion at town meeting on the number of vehicles. The finance committee plans to make their recommendation at town meeting on whether to approve the article, according to Acting Chairman Michael Deignan.
Budget
The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2013 is approximately $21 million, which represents a 2.6% increase over FY ’12. The budget does include salary increases for employees this year, including a contractually obligated 1.5% increase for unions and a request for a 2.5% increase for non-union employees. Non-union employees have not had a salary adjustment in about three years, says Town Administrator Jeff Ritter. continued on page 6...
Kathy Conti about to swear in Joeseph Tito, Lorraine Botts and Sue Pimental to the Board of Selectmen.