Jan. 14—PREPARE TO TIGHTEN your belt somewhat extra.
Town and faculty budgets for the following fiscal yr can improve by almost 5%.
Sharon Wickens, the town’s finance director, on Thursday notified aldermen of the official tax cap quantity, which relies on the three-year common change within the Shopper Value Index (CPI). Additionally on Thursday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics launched its CPI statistics for 2022.
This yr’s tax cap allowed for a 3.57% improve, however the precise tax fee got here in at 3.16%.
In accordance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the CPI for All City Shoppers (CPI-U) declined by 0.1% in December, placing the ultimate improve over the previous 12 months at 6.5%.
Mix that with the 2020 CPI-U determine of 1.40%, and seven% in 2021, and the three-year common utilized in preparation for the FY 2024 funds is available in at 4.96%.
Manchester operates beneath a cap on property taxes established by a voter-approved modification to the town constitution. Usually known as a tax cap, the constitution provision limits the whole amount of cash raised from property taxes, quite than the tax fee itself.
The cap limits the town’s tax income to the common improve within the federal shopper value index, or CPI, throughout the three earlier calendar years, plus the worth of latest development.
Underneath the town constitution, the mayor should suggest a metropolis funds inside the tax cap limitations. The constitution provides aldermen the flexibility to override the cap.
Soccer groups merging
College board members have accredited a request from Manchester Athletic Director Christine Telge to create a cooperative ladies soccer staff for Manchester Central and West excessive colleges.
The merger carries no further monetary price to the district.
In accordance with Telge, the ladies’ soccer staff at Manchester West — which has gained one sport previously six seasons — presently has 15 gamers. In the meantime, the variety of individuals at Manchester Central continues to say no, right down to 24 gamers final yr.
Telge informed board members the decline in numbers within the applications at each colleges is due partially to communities like Hooksett not sending their college students to Manchester, together with an absence of feeder applications at decrease college ranges.
“In an effort to construct participant numbers and to supply alternatives for talent growth at Manchester West Excessive College, we really feel a cooperative staff could be the suitable step,” Telge wrote in a memo to highschool board members. “Neither highschool staff has made cuts to their applications within the final 6 years.”
Telge stated the present ladies’ soccer coach at Manchester Central is worked up for the chance to work with extra athletes and totally conscious of the NHIAA requirement that no gamers be reduce.
“We hope that that is solely a 2-year dedication with each groups capable of compete on their very own with a powerful feeder program in 2025,” Telge wrote.
College officers have but to determine whether or not the staff will apply at West’s George W. Smith Advanced or at Central’s Padden Discipline.
Dwelling video games might happen on an alternating schedule between Gill Stadium and Veterans Memorial Discipline.
Cleansing of Cashin Heart
Metropolis well being officers issued a launch final week detailing cleansing operations on the Cashin Heart, after residents aired considerations with the positioning getting used as an in a single day shelter.
In accordance with the discharge, the Cashin Heart is presently being cleaned and disinfected with an EPA registered disinfectant (Oxivir-TB tuberculosis), which officers say is efficient towards each norovirus and “rising infections” like COVID-19. Moreover, this disinfectant may be utilized with electrostatic sprayers.
Issues have additionally been raised over the potential of pests, together with mattress bugs, being introduced into the Cashin Heart.
Metropolis well being officers say their division has been concerned in mattress bug training and response since 2002.
“Mattress bugs have been recognized to be present in any setting, however they’re much less prone to be on an individual versus in somebody’s belongings,” officers stated in a launch. “Town has made preparations to retailer folks’s belongings to each preserve them safe but in addition to scale back the chance of bringing any pests into this facility.”
If a pest was recognized within the Cashin Heart and/or on an individual, well being officers stated rapid steps could be taken, together with vacuuming the area and isolating impacted belongings — the identical protocol as for the response in a college, well being care or different public setting.
The Amenities Division is also deploying mattress bug-specific screens within the Cashin Heart as an extra surveillance software, officers stated.
Paul Feely is the Metropolis Corridor reporter for the New Hampshire Union Chief and Sunday Information. Attain him at pfeely@unionleader.com
