Although the overall budget of $2.33 million proposed by the Budget Committee is about 11.5% higher than last year’s budget of approximately $2.08 million, the amount in the operating budget that will have to be raised by taxes is only increasing 4.8%, thanks to $132,276 in American Rescue Plan Act grant funding, and an additional $9,600 grant for the restoration of the library’s historic gutters.
The Budget Committee has one final meeting prior to the town’s budget hearing on Feb. 8 to continue to review the budget.
There were several minor increases nearly across the board in the budget, due to the current rate of inflation. Among the biggest increases were a $25,000 jump in employee health insurance, and a $5,000 jump in property/liability insurance. The town is also including an additional $8,000 in its computer expenses for cybersecurity measures and archiving software.
The police chief salary is up by about $7,000, which includes a one-time $2,000 bonus. The town’s contribution for the New Hampshire Retirement System for police officers is also up, increasing from $61,263 to $75,091.
During its meeting Tuesday, the Budget Committee agreed to several cuts proposed by the Select Board, including trimming the summer playgrounds program and cutting an unfilled part-time transfer station position. Board members said the position at the transfer station has been empty for some time, and cutting it saves $10,380.
“We’ve left it there year after year,” said Town Administrator Kate Fuller. “We did a search on Indeed, and didn’t have one applicant.”
Chris Raymond, the Select Board’s representative on the Budget Committee, also proposed reducing the summer playground program slightly, noting the entire staff, including the director, is not returning next year, and suggesting it was a good time for restructuring. The cut he proposed was specifically to the director’s salary, cutting it from $6,623 to $6,000. The vote was 4-3 in favor, with members Judy Knapp, Nancy Campbell and Steve Baldwin opposed.
The committee also agreed to a cut of $21,000 from the legal budget.
The Budget Committee and Select Board proposals for the budget are close, with the Budget Committee meeting concluding on Tuesday with only a $100 difference. Town Administrator Kate Fuller noted there are adjustments expected to be proposed by the Select Board for review at the next Budget Committee meeting, including meeting that $100 difference, and $2,500 for computer expenses.
The Budget Committee is scheduled to meet Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall to take a final vote on the budge and vote on whether the committee supports the proposed warrant articles. The budget hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. The budget will be discussed and voted on by the public at Town Meeting on March 12.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.