Rye voters to weigh $13M budget, new softball field, lower speed limit

RYE — The town's voters will consider a nearly $13 million operating budget, a new softball field and whether to reduce the speed limit on Rye roads at the town's annual deliberative session.

The session will be held Saturday, Feb. 3, at 9 a.m. at Rye Junior High School. Articles can be amended in this session and will then advance to the town ballot for the election Tuesday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Rye Elementary School.

The operating budget request is for $12,929,455. Should the article fail, the town reverts to the default budget of $12,315,462, which represents last year's budget plus any contractual obligations.

Town Administrator Matt Scruton said residents will be asked to support $75,000 to design and construct a softball field at the town recreation area at 55 Recreation Road.

"This is really about equity," said Scruton. "We have more baseball fields currently. The recreation programs are growing, and there is more demand by the community for facilities."

Several articles on the warrant would change the nature of town positions. Article 27 asks that the position of town treasurer be changed from elected to appointed.

"Left up to a vote makes it less certain the person has the necessary qualifications," said Scruton. "We have a very good treasurer right now, but we are looking to the future with this article."

Articles 28 and 29 ask first, for the position of town clerk/tax collector to be separated into two positions. Then the second article asks that the tax collector be an appointed position, for much the same reason as the treasurer seat, Scruton said.

Capital reserve requests include those for fire, ambulance, police, library, retirement funding and municipal buildings maintenance.

Citizen petition calls for lower speed limit

Also on the warrant are several articles submitted by citizen petition.

One article asks to lower the town speed limit from 35 mph to 30. Another asks for a correction to the town forest, which would increase the area of Central Cemetery.

One citizen petition seeks to streamline and define the process of obtaining a building permit.

Another asks the town to create a litigation ordinance holding the town officials to a requirement to hold a public hearing for resident input before entering into litigation. Scruton said he believes it derives from a Conservation Commission lawsuit that appealed a wetlands decision unsuccessfully.

More Rye news: Town committee backs bid to save historic home: that is offered up for free

New this year is a warrant article asking for $2,500 for the Center for Wildlife in the Cape Neddick area of York, Maine.

"This is a new nonprofit for us, so it is in a separate warrant article," said Scruton. "The police department utilize their services for much of the wildlife they come across. They do good work, and we want to support them."

Rye water treatment facility project separate from town warrant

The Rye Water District will seek voter approval to construct a water treatment facility. A public hearing was scheduled for Wednesday night "to receive public comment on the question of a warrant article to borrow up to $15.95 million for the design, development and construction of a water treatment facility.

At the public hearing, the commissioners were expected to discuss the likely availability of loan funds from the N.H. Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund for up to $11 million, to include $2 million in loan forgiveness, and of loan funds from the NH Drinking Water & Groundwater Trust Fund for up to $4.95 million.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rye voters to weigh budget, new softball field, lower speed limit