Sharon Select Board members accepted the proposed 2020 budget at a meeting on Tuesday night.
The proposed budget totals $453,940, up $16,480 from last year’s $437,460. Most of the increases are due to increases in the cost of services from Peterborough, Town Administrator Debra Harling said.
The cost of police services increased about $5,000, ambulance services increased $2,000, and fire services increased almost 20 percent to $70,485 from $57,548, she said.
All are services contracted with the town of Peterborough, and Board Chair Carl Newton said he would be seeking a more detailed explanation from Peterborough’s town administrator about the hikes.
Solid waste disposal costs are down about $1,551, costs associated with election, registration, and vital statistics are up to $16,500 from last year’s $10,900, and financial administration costs are $26,000 down $30,332 from last year’s $56,332.
Three members of the public attended the budget hearing.
In addition to the budget, Sharon’s warrant includes articles for appropriating funds to the capital reserve funds for legal expenses, town bridge, assessing reserve, town highway repairs, as well as the welfare services non-capital reserve fund.
There is nobody registered to run for vacancies on the Trustees and Audit committees, Harling said, and residents can either write in candidates for those positions or the committees can appoint people to fill the vacancies.
Registered candidates are running for the following positions: School Board member James Fredrickson is running for reelection, Susan Bowles is running for treasurer, Bill Joyner is running for moderator, Anne Murrock is running for Supervisor of the Checklist, and Gary Backstrom is running for a Selectman position.
Town Meeting is March 10 at the Sharon Meeting House. Ballot voting is set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The open session of Town Meeting is planned to begin at 8 p.m.