WHITINGHAM- With the help of fixed oil prices and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, the town of Whitingham saved $51,551 in taxpayer money for fiscal year 2009-2010. Despite the good news, it didn’t stop some citizens from asking whether some numbers were correct.

Voters dived right into the town budget with Article 2, which asked if the town would “raise and appropriate $679,436 for the general use of the town for ... 2009-2010. $289,148 to be raised in taxes, the balance to be offset by $267,630 in anticipated revenues, and $98,300 appropriated from the prior year’s fund balance and $24,358 appropriated from FY ‘09 anticipated fund balance due to change in Grand List.”

Selectboard member Greg Brown amended the article to a lower amount, which was approved by the voters. The amended town budget amounted to $673,591 or $5,845 less than the original amount. Brown said the town secured lower oil prices through participation in a consortium of area towns and agencies including Dover, Wilmington, Readsboro, Stamford, the MOOver, and the Windham Southwest Supervisory Union.

Dwight Williams queried the selectboard why there were wage increases on the town payroll in 2008-2009. According to Williams, some employees received as much as a five-percent increase. Brown said the selectboard put a lot of time into determining increases in pay. He said the town developed a grid system based on job classification and level of experience, with each additional year for each town employee amounting to a 1.5% increase on the grid. “(The selectboard) opted that we would add a percent to that across the board,” said Brown.

Then the discussion shifted gears when John Robohm pointed out a discrepancy in the selectboard budget summary. Robohm said the budget summary amount did not match the amount originally asked for in Article 2. Robohm said the selectboard budget summary totaled $679,041 but the town asked for $679,436 in Article 2. The difference amounted to $395.

Robohm asked which was the right amount and why weren’t taxpayers informed. Brown said that was an oversight and assured Robohm the town wasn’t trying to cheat anyone out of extra money.

“Do you think we’re trying to screw around $395 for the fun of it? You’re wrong,” said Brown.

Brown asked whether the question was raised at the pre-town meeting. Robohm said he didn’t know because, as Brown knew, Robohm wasn’t there. Which prompted another response from Brown. “No, I don’t know that because I wasn’t there either.” Laughter ensued. The amended budget passed.

The next budget cut came under Article 4, which asked the town “to raise and appropriate $53,490 for the operation of the town fire department for the upcoming fiscal year.” Selectboard member Alan Twitchell requested an amendment that the new amount be $46,190 or $7,300 less than the original figure. Twitchell said the new amount also reflected lower fuel prices secured through the local oil consortium. The amended Article 4 passed.

Road commissioner Stanley Janovsky followed with another amended article. Article 6 asked the town “to raise and appropriate $833,577 for the maintenance and repair of town highways for the upcoming fiscal year. $685,237 to be raised in taxes, offset by $126,632 in anticipated revenues.” Janovsky asked that the figures be changed from $833,577 to $821,177 with $673,077 to be raised in taxes, offset by $126,632 in anticipated revenues. The amended Article 6, saving Whitingham taxpayers $12,400, was passed.

The biggest cut of the day was in Article 9, which asked the town “to raise and appropriate $52,000 for the Civil Defense Department with the intent to purchase a generator for the Whitingham Elementary/Twin Valley Middle School.” The day before Town Meeting, Twitchell received a federal grant that would cut the generator’s cost in half. As a result, the town would only need to allocate $25,994 for the new generator. Twitchell’s announcement was met with applause, and the amended article passed.

One article that concerned some taxpayers was Article 19, which asked the town to raise and appropriate $2,500 to support economic development in Whitingham for the following fiscal year. Todd Wahlstrom, the town’s Tri-Town Economic Development Committee member, said the tri-town committee is seeking to hire a specialist to spearhead economic development efforts in the Deerfield Valley.

Wahlstrom said the salaried position could pay up to $50,000 and that Wilmington and Dover were committing approximately $17,000 each. Whitingham has chosen not to participate “out of fiscal conservatism” but Wahlstrom did not want Whitingham to abandon current efforts. “Much of our economies are interdependent,” said Wolfstrom. “Eighty percent of Whitingham wage earners work outside of our area. Our local economy is all commerce occurring within a 30-mile radius. It’s very important to work with neighbors in continued efforts.”

Bud Sprague requested the article be voted on by paper ballot. Seven voters agreed with Sprague’s request. Voters approved the article 59 to 31.

A discussion ensued during Article 28, “to transact any other business before the town.”

Dana Dix asked the selectboard about the status of the municipal center kitchen. Town clerk Almira Aekus said the town is seeking to install a new kitchen on the upper level of the municipal center. Aekus said the current kitchen, located in the basement, does not meet fire codes. If nothing is done, the town will be forced to close the facility. She also added that the current kitchen plan is “only a concept” and the town is still looking at other alternatives. Dix asked if a vote on the concept will be made and Aekus said it would need voter approval.

Sherry Adams asked whether it would be cheaper to renovate downstairs because “it would take too much space upstairs.” Selectboard member Karl Twitchell said it would cost the town $30,000 just to install a new hood system in the basement, whereas a cheaper system could be installed if the kitchen were relocated upstairs. The town did not make a decision. However a suggestion was made to form a committee to further examine the issue.

Janovsky was also commended by the selectboard for securing up to $500,000 in FEMA funds. “We wouldn’t have been able to get it without his meticulous attention to detail and hard work,” said Brown. Janovsky was greeted with applause.

In school board news, the town approved the Whitingham school budget of $2,373,613.

The voters also approved a written statement that the towns of Whitingham, Wilmington, and the existing schools facility committee explore the possibility of consolidating K-12 in a single school district that would improve educational opportunities, reduce educational costs for taxpayers, and address facility issues in the two towns. School board member Ed Metcalfe said they are considering moving the high school to the current location of the Whitingham Elementary/Twin Valley Middle School. Whitingham elementary students would attend Deerfield Valley Elementary School and the high school building in Wilmington would be closed. Middle school students would remain at the Whitingham facility. Metcalfe said the idea is not etched in stone but is only under consideration.

“We could save up to $500,000 in annual costs by eliminating the high school in Wilmington,” said Metcalfe. “If you asked me a month or two ago I’d think it’s a crazy idea but after talking to elementary parents who spoke in favor, it’s something to look at.”

The town approved the written statement. However Adams cautioned about the potential school district consolidation, saying it may compromise students’ education. “If we go with this idea, I’m afraid Whitingham taxpayers will not have control over this building and the kids’ education,” said Adams. “We need to see this on paper because I’ve heard a lot of people don’t want this.”

Cheree Dix was elected to another term on the Whitingham school board. She defeated Karen Sprague 120 to 58.