Braintree Town/School Meeting: Town Budget Up, School’s Level

Braintree voters will gather Tuesday, March 6 at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall in West Braintree. The town portion of the meeting will take place first, with the school district meeting to follow. A lunch break will take place at mid-day.

The items to be decided on include the election of a number of town officers, including a selectboard member for a three-year term. The incumbent, Jocelyn Stohl, has indicated her willingness to serve again.

Also to be elected are a trustee of public funds, a treasurer to finish two years of a three-year term, a lister, delinquent tax collector, auditor, cemetery commissioner, first constable, two grand jurors, and a town agent to prosecute and defend suits.

The proposed town budget of $686,394 is a 3% increase over the 2006 budget. Voters will also be asked to appropriate "$5,000 or some other amount or Chandler Music Hall & Gallery for needed renovations."

When the school meeting convenes, voters will consider approval of a recommended 2007-08 budget of $1,531,092 for the support of the Braintree Elementary School. With an increase of just $193 over last year’s figure, this budget is virtually level-funded.

Other financial matters to be decided during the school meeting include articles asking for an appropriation of $5,000 for the existing school bus replacement fund, and the transfer of $10,774 in surplus finds from the 2005-06 school year to the building maintenance fund for the year beginning July 1, 2007.

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