Charles Connell hard at work

Littleton Court House

Littleton New Hampshire will be looking at major changes in the near future in regards to their school system and unionized town workers.

March 9th at 8:00 a.m. Littleton residents will meet at the fire station to cast their votes. There are several major articles on the agenda for the town including a proposed new middle school and technical education center.

For six months the Selectmen and union workers have been negotiating trying to come to terms on a collective bargaining contract. Talks have been progressive and respectful up to this point. After much debate the union has agreed to terms with the town. It will save Littleton over $100,000 dollars ($70,000 in salaries and $40,000 in overtime pay). The new plan will give the union new overtime conditions, wage concessions, and restructured benefit plans. This new contract runs through 2012 then at that time negotiations will start once again.

The towns proposed budget is $92,000 higher then the budget residents approved in 2009. Although percentages are not much higher than last year there is a minor increase. Total expenses are 1.20% higher and the TOE (total operating expense) is only 1.71% up from the previous year.

There is also a proposed town-wide revaluation that could benefit taxpayers in the long run. Littleton Town Manager, Charles Connell, feels a new valuation process will put Littleton back in line with correct property value.

"If you look at the economy and everything that's happened, especially in the last two years this will bring us back in line with what the true value in what's called the true market value of property is in the town of Littleton."

When results from voting come in NewsLINC will have them for you.