By a 5-1 vote (with Dennis Canario absent, and Tailgunner Gleason the lone "no") the Portsmouth Town Council tonight approved the school committee's deficit reduction plan, including the use of one-time revenues to increase the bottom line by $380K and preserve student programs for this year.

The key question, which both Keith Hamilton and Council President Peter McIntyre asked the town solicitor, Andre D'Andrea, to weigh in on was the legality of the change. Once he answered in the affirmative, several on the Council seemed reassured.

Tailgunner had to ask a few questions and PCC, Inc. President Larry Fitzmorris was in the audience, pointing out to people nearby something in their referendum flier, but in the end, he did not raise his hand, and the vote proceeded.

I personally thanked the members of the Council for their votes, especially Huck Little, Jeff Plumb, and Peter McIntyre. Tonight, they did the right thing, and I thank them. And Hamilton and Jim Seveney, of course.

It is not much: The vote allows the schools to proceed to use up all their fund balance, drain the Medicaid account, ARRA funds, and sports gate receipts, but it preserves sports and a little more arts for this year. Next year, there will be a $980K hole to dig out of.

But for tonight, it is enough. Thanks to the Council for the courage to do the right thing.