Peterborough’s first deliberative session saw all warrant articles added to the May 12 ballot, including the flat $20.4 million budget.
There was debate surrounding the petitioned “Blank Time,” confusion about Tax Incremental Finance districts and clarification concerning Article 15.
The budget went to the ballot with no public comment or pushback from the over 30 residents attending the session.
Blank Time
One petitioned article, Warrant Article 22, titled “Blank Time,” faced mixed reactions. It was created by Shen Bolun, a self-described political performer from Shanghai, China, who was an artist in residence at MacDowell between January and February.
At least 25 people signed the petition before Josephine Chu of 2-B Village Lane submitted the proposal to the Select Board.
The article’s language asks the town to allot a two-minute period of “Blank Time” during deliberative sessions and town meetings. It says the moment is intended as a symbolic acknowledgement of those who live within, contribute to, or are affected by the democratic process of Peterborough, especially those not eligible to vote.
Resident Robert Hirschey was against the petition.
“I don’t think we should hold the town hostage with a performative gesture; the democratic process isn’t silent,” he said. “Maybe we should play The Star-Spangled Banner for a few minutes instead.”
Stephanie Hurley of 75 Hunt Road was in favor of the article.
“I think it’s a great gesture and we should all think about it,” she said.
Though he thought the article was petitioned in good faith, Select Board member Tyler Ward opposed it as well. He expressed concern about such petitions turning town meetings into a venue for political performance.
“It would be just as easy to amend this to shouting for five minutes,” he said.
“People are uncomfortable because it’s too eastern to be quiet,” said Carol Kraus. “I think a moment of silence would be a better name for this piece.”
Susan Tussing was uncomfortable with the petition.
“It makes me uncomfortable for the reasons Tyler suggested,” she said. “It can be used by people as a political statement.”
She highlighted that a non-citizen from another country shouldn’t be allowed to provide input on the town’s democratic process. “How can we allow someone to come in from another country and say, ‘this is how I think your town should run?'”
TIF Districts
Article 18 asks the town to raise and appropriate $751,488 from collected TIF district taxes to the Greater Downtown District Expendable Trust Fund.
Hurley raised concerns about the article.
“My feeling about this Greater Downtown TIF district is that the money going into the ETF is an amount that could be used for the whole town,” she said. Hurley thought the taxes could be allocated elsewhere rather than being restricted to downtown use.
“The TIF is only being paid for by tax dollars of properties in the TIF district,” Town Administrator Nicole MacStay said.
Capital Improvement Committee Vice Chair Leandra MacDonald noted the tax money collected from TIF districts is for town use only and is not impacted by the school district or county.
“It’s a way of capturing money that has a net positive impact on the town,” she said. “We can use it without paying the county or school district.”
Warrant Article 15
Warrant Article 15 requests the town establish a Health and Dental ETF and raise and appropriate $25,000 to it. MacStay said the ETF request relates to the town’s school health insurance provider, SchoolCare.
According to MacStay, SchoolCare had unanticipated expenses and sent the town a pro-rated $215,000 bill.
“We paid for it with the unassigned funds balance, but in the future we want to have an actual fund to pull from,” she said.
Select Board member Bonnie Tucker added that because the town doesn’t have a cushion for such mishaps, the Select Board and the Budget Committee deliberated about creating one.
The town went out to bid for an alternative school health insurer, but received only one quote. MacStay said the quote was both more expensive and provided a lesser product, so the Select Board turned it down.
Residents can vote on all warrant articles at the town’s May 12 Town Meeting.