Bennington held its first deliberative session regarding its proposed 2017 budget on Monday night.
The proposed operating budget is about $1.692 million. Its current budget is $1.652 million. It’s a 2.42 percent increase or $39,925.
Combined with its proposed warrant articles, the total budget would be $1.910 million, or a $98,025 increase if approved by taxpayers.
The town’s proposed default budget is set at nearly the same amount as its current operating budget.
The largest warrant article is $45,000 to be directed to the Highway Department in order to address deferred road maintenance costs. Road Agent Gary Russell has said at previous select board meetings that tackling road issues while oil prices are low could end up saving money in the long run. In order to carry out the task, the town would have to ask taxpayers for the same amount over the course of five years.
A townsperson asked why money it saved on dredging the town lagoon was being directed towards the general fund and not towards projects like the proposed $45,000 road maintenance warrant article. Town officials said the state’s Department of Revenue Administration requires that the sum to be redirected into the general fund.
A state mandated change to accessory dwelling units was a point of conversation during the session as well.
State Rep. Jonathan Manley, who is from Bennington, said the change addresses in-law apartments that are no longer needed and would allow homeowners to use the dwelling space for other purposes.
The change could make housing more affordable for members in the community, although another townsperson said broadening accessory-dwelling use may not be beneficial for the town.
“I just think we are opening ourselves up to the possibility of a significant number of rental properties, which I don’t think we need in this town,” Joe Macgregor said during the hearing.
All 30 proposed articles were approved to move on to the ballot. Taxpayers will vote on its budget and warrant articles on March 14 in the multi-purpose room at Pierce Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Abby Kessler can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 234 or akessler@ledgertranscript.com.