Rindge’s warrant this year includes expanding tax credits and additions to the town’s reserve funds.
The Rindge Select Board reviewed warrant items during its meeting on Wednesday in preparation for the town’s deliberative session on Jan. 31.
The proposed budget for Rindge for the coming year is $5.67 million, a 3.3% increase or about $182,000 higher than the current year’s budget. The majority of the increases are attributed to rising costs for contracted services and insurance.
Tax credit and exemptions
Three articles this year deal with tax revenue and exemptions.
The first proposed exemption would be a new one for the town. Adopting RSA 79F would allow exemptions for taxation of farm structures. The law is designed to encourage the preservation of productive farms and structures.
Under the law, the town would appraise farm structures for no more than their replacement costs, less depreciation, and the land under the structure at no more than 10% of its market value. The land under the structure must be contiguous to a minimum of 10 acres of open space to qualify.
The town is also proposing an increase to the Veterans Disability Tax Credit. The article, if approved, would increase the amount of the tax credit for those with a service-connected permanent and total disability to $4,500.
A separate article would also alter the percentage of the Land Use Change tax revenue that would be added to the Conservation Fund, increasing the amount to 20%.
Additions to capital reserves and expendable trusts
The town has several warrant articles this year that add funds to capital reserves or trusts for future purchases or ongoing maintenance.
One of the largest monetary requests, aside from the budget this year, is for the Fire Department Equipment reserve, which is requesting $125,000 to replace the town’s 26-year-old brush truck.
The town is requesting $25,000 to be added to the Recreation Facilities Reserve and $25,000 for the Meetinghouse Maintenance Expendable Trust.
The town is also requesting $20,000 for the Ingalls Memorial Library Expendable Trust.
The town also anticipates asking for additions to the Highway Department Capital Reserve and the Municipal Building Capital Reserve, but the amounts expected to be requested have yet to be finalized.
Rindge’s deliberative session will be held on Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. at the Rindge Memorial Elementary School. Warrant articles will be presented, and residents can debate articles and adopt amendments.
Voting on all warrant issues, including proposed zoning amendments and election of officers, will be March 10, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Rindge Memorial Elementary School.