China select board approves 32-article warrant at special meeting

by Mary Grow

At a short special meeting April 1, China select board members approved the 32-article warrant for the June 11 annual town business meeting.

Budget committee members were scheduled to meet April 3 to make their recommendations on proposed expenditures. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood plans to have the official warrant ready for signing at the next regular select board meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, April 8.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood intends to propose dates for a public hearing at which she and board members will answer residents’ questions about the articles.

At that meeting, Hapgood intends to propose dates for a public hearing at which she and board members will answer residents’ questions about the articles.

The June 11 business meeting will be by written ballot. Polls will be in the former portable classroom behind the town office. The meeting moderator will be elected at 6:55 a.m., and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Articles include proposed municipal expenditures for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2024; procedural issues, like setting the 2024-25 tax due dates and authorizing the select board to accept grants, negotiate contracts, buy equipment and conduct other town business; and approval or rejection of three ordinances.

Art. 29 asks if voters want to replace the 2008 Planning Board Ordinance with a new one. Art. 30 asks acceptance of Land Development Code amendments, needed to make China compliant with state law. Art. 31 asks acceptance of a new ordinance to regulate commercial solar development in town.

Copies of the ordinances are on the website, china.govoffice.com, under the Elections heading on the left side of the home page.

Select board votes to approve the articles were unanimous, except that one board member abstained on one article.

The municipal warrant does not include the 2024-25 school budget, which will be presented to voters separately.