By Ryan O'Connor
Staff Writer

Weare Town Meeting is Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m., at Center Woods Elementary School.

Weare residents will have plenty to debate when they convene at the town's annual deliberative session of Town Meeting on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The 2006 warrant features 50 articles, including a new $30,000 vehicle for the building department and two new full-time police officers at a cost of $85,000.

“The police chief has been telling us for several months now that, due to our population, we should have 17 full-time police officers, and right now we only have nine,” said Selectmen Joseph Fiala. “Mainly it is to provide full-time coverage. Right now we have no on-duty overnight personnel, with the exception of the chief, who will respond to calls, which he really shouldn't have to do. The goal is to provide all-night coverage on weekends.”

The town is also trying to raise $350,000, through Article 26, for road improvements. Of that, the town would only be responsible for $128,755, with the remaining $221,245 being paid for with Highway Block Grant Funds through the state.

Another major article on the warrant asks that the town raise up to $1,800,000 to purchase the Ferrante property, with the purpose of protecting the town's rural character. Approximately 44 percent of the cost would be absorbed by an $800,000 gift from the Mildred Hall Trust Fund.

“It's an opportunity that we're only going to get one shot at,” said Fiala. “The property owner says either we are going to buy it now or he is going to sell it to someone else, and that may be a developer.”

“I think it is something that the town will definitely get behind,” he added.

In addition, the town operating budget has been recommended at $4,151,331, which represents a 3.8 percent increase over last year's budget of $4,000,684.

The meeting will take place on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m. at Center Woods Elementary School.