The Londonderry Town Council discussed whether or not they should move forward with a warrant article brought forward previously by the Senior Resources Committee.
It was explained previously that the warrant article would be for a $5 per motor vehicle fee, which would then be used for senior needs in town for transportation.
The request by the Committee was for the Town Council to put it on the ballot, instead of the Committee collecting the signatures and putting it on as a citizens petition warrant article.
Committee member John Wilson, said since the Senior Resources Committee said that he thinks it’s appropriate for the Town Council to move it to the ballot since the committee is advisory for the Town Council.
Wilson explained previously that one of the advantages of having the funds is if there is federal money involved in terms of grants, they usually require match funds from the Town which they could have from it.
In terms of services, Wilson said there are a number of ones they could look at.
Town Clerk Sherry Farrell said that CART, the current regional transportation service, is charging $2 a ride each way, a total ride would be $4 which is why Wilson brought the warrant article idea to the committee for consideration.
“It’s very important for us to have the council do it,” Wilson said previously.
During the Jan. 20 meeting, Town Council Vice Chair Ted Combes said that CART charges $2 per ride for each way, and asked if they should increase the line item for CART in order to pay for the rides instead of going for a warrant article.
“Because that could be way less than the $200,000,” Combed said.
Finance Director Justin Campo said he doesn’t know how it would work out with CART.
Town Councilor Shawn Faber said that he thinks if people in Town find adding the funding to be valuable, then it should be done by raising and appropriating it through property taxes like other warrant articles.
“I don’t see a need to add a different kind of tax,” Faber said.
It was ultimately decided by the Town Council to not move forward with the warrant article this year.
Also during the meeting, the Town Council heard a request to extend the Demolition Review Committee.
It was explained by Administrative Support Coordinator Kirsten Hildonen that they were looking to be able to extend the committee for another 90 days.
She explained that it was previously extended until the end of 2024, due to an expected application, but said it ended up coming in January, instead.
Hildonen said that they were looking to be able to extend the committee until April 30.
The Town Council approved the request.
The next Town Council meeting is set for Feb. 3 beginning at 7 p.m.