The New Ipswich Select Board is continuing its review of departmental budget requests, with plans to refine and potentially reduce proposals over the coming month.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the board reviewed initial budget submissions from several departments, including the Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, General Government Buildings, and the annual warrant article request from the New Ipswich Library.

Town officials asked department heads to submit budgets with multiple tiers of priorities to allow the Select Board and the Finance Advisory Committee to evaluate potential adjustments. Acting Chair Jason Somero said Tuesday’s meeting was intended as an initial overview, with more detailed reviews and possible cuts to follow.

“If we come out and present a million-dollar increase in town, we will get a default. From what I’ve seen so far, there’s going to be a lot of hard work the selectmen have to do to prevent a default,” Somero said, while speaking to department heads.

The proposed Department of Public Works budget, including all priority levels, totals approximately $1.06 million, an increase of about $125,500 from last year’s $916,726 budget. Most of the increase is attributed to employee raises, with more than half tied to potential health insurance cost increases. Roughly $15,000 of the increase reflects rising operational expenses.

The Transfer Station budget is proposed at $126,131, up from $119,846 last year. Increased overtime costs and higher trash and paper removal expenses account for most of the increase.

The proposed General Government Buildings budget is $141,212, a $32,000 increase from the prior year. The primary driver is the inclusion of approximately $24,000 for building maintenance, which was funded last year through the town’s capital reserve rather than the operating budget.

Parks and Recreation submitted a proposed budget of $40,799, compared to last year’s $33,513. The increase includes a higher stipend for the Parks and Recreation director and additional maintenance costs.

The New Ipswich Library is not a town department, but has historically been supported by town funds through a warrant article. Library Trustee Mitch Gluck said the library will be requesting $45,000, the same as last year, which is about half of the library’s $89,000 budget.

Gluck said that using this model, the library’s funding is secured at least through 2075. If the library relies solely on its endowment, it would be depleted by 2036.

Somero, who in the past has questioned the public support for the library, said he still supports a “user pay system,” noting that his family also uses the library, and he is happy to pay for the programs his family uses.

Gluck said that the library is a community resource, regularly holds one-time and regular programming, and has increased its patron count and usage compared to last year. He said the cost per resident in New Ipswich to support the library is about $14, which is lower than any other library in the area.

The board did not discuss any adjustments to the proposed budget on Tuesday, and plans to continue crafting the budget in future sessions.