Proposed New Ipswich town budget carries 7% increase
Town of New Ipswich. FILE PHOTO
New Ipswich resident Jamie Kizner asked about recycling practices at the Transfer Station at the Select Board meeting on warrant articles. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN
Town Adminstrator Debbie Deaton explained an offsett to the New Ipswich town tax rate Tuesday. Select Board Chair Shawn Talbot at left. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN
| Published: 01-23-2025 11:04 AM |
New Ipswich’s town budget will be approximately $3.62 million, a 7% increase, if voters approve the article recommended by selectmen at Tuesday’s budget hearing.
A major factor in the increased cost of operations is salaries. Town salaries totaled $219,565.21 in the current budget, and would increase to $282,243.03.
“This year we have a fully staffed Police Department. The Fire Department has more members and is seeking an increase in stipends,” said Select Board Chair Shawn Talbot.
Finance Advisory Committee Chair Joe Woodworth added that last fall's brush fires pressed the Fire Department into duty more than expected.
“Fire Department hours were up 35% due to those fires,” said Woodworth.
Computer support will also cost the town more this year.
“Software licenses are up 35% as well, and these are ‘must haves,’ ” said Woodworth.
Town Administrator Debbie Deaton said that the town was able to lower the town section of the tax rate by using unspent funds.
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“Any amount over 10% left in the undesignated fund balance is returned. Last year, approximately $576,794 remained, allowing the town to set a lower town portion of the tax rate for this year,” she said. “The town portion of the rate, not including schools, would have been $2.90 per thousand. Instead it is $2.24,” said Deaton.
A separate warrant article requests $102,295 for a new playground set at Memorial Field.
“The current set is not up to code, so if there isn’t a new one, there won’t be one,” said Deaton.
Another warrant article requests $70,000 for a new DPW vehicle.
“You can see the road through the floorboards of the current one,” said Talbot on the request.
Town resident Jamie Kizner asked whether the town was doing all it could to recoup recycling funds at the town transfer station, suggesting that sorting could be done better.
“If we did it differently, it could put money back into our revenue stream,” said Kizner.
Deaton said that recycling is following the direction of Shaw and Son’s, who handles the task for New Ipswich.
The deliberative session will be held on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Mascenic Regional High School. Voting on all warrant articles and on town government positions will be held on March 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Mascenic Regional High School gym.
