China budget committee endorses 2023-24 spending articles

by Mary Grow

At a short April 3 meeting, China Budget Committee members reviewed and endorsed proposed 2023-24 spending articles in the warrant for China’s June 13 town business meeting.

Committee members had previously discussed the proposed budget at a March 7 meeting. They still had a few questions, and on some of the spending articles a member dissented or abstained. Each proposal received at least five recommendations.

After action on the draft warrant articles, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood and committee chairman Thomas Rumpf jointly announced that committee secretary Trishea Story is resigning: the April 3 meeting was her last. Rumpf thanked her for her service.

The China Budget Committee’s seven members include one elected from each of China’s four districts (created in June 2006 to ensure geographical variety on the committee) plus a chairman, a secretary and an at-large member, all of whom can be from anywhere in town.

Members whose terms end this year are Rumpf, Kevin Maroon (district one, northwestern China) and Michael Sullivan (district three, southeastern China). China’s local elections will be held Nov. 7.

Hapgood said because Story’s term does not end in 2023, her replacement will be appointed by the select board rather than elected. The June 2006 Budget Committee Ordinance says the appointment is to be done “within 45 days of the date of resignation.”

The ordinance adds, “If there are two or more qualified candidates, the Select Board may at their discretion hold a special election to fill the vacancy.”