Select Board ยท Meeting
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Decided
Article 1: 2026 operating budget
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed an operating budget of $2,359,237. That is $127,565 (6.02%) more than last year. The chair said the rise comes mainly from health insurance (14.7%), property and liability insurance (21.7%) and contract costs. If voters reject it, the default budget (the budget that takes effect if voters reject the proposed one) would be $2,269,920. The chair said the Piscassic Greenway bond ends in 2026 with a final $60,000 payment, and the town expects to recover over $40,000 in 2027 from the sale of a property taken for unpaid taxes. The chair also said $175,000 of unassigned fund balance was used in 2025 to lower the tax rate from $17.35 to $16.95. This year, Articles 2 and 3 will be paid by taxes and the other articles from the fund balance. No one asked questions.
Article 2: Fire truck capital reserve fund
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed adding $50,000 to the Fire Truck Capital Reserve Fund, a savings account for a future fire truck. The fire chief said the town adds $50,000 each year. A new truck ordered two years ago is due in March, with one last payment of $454,854. The fund holds about $469,000, which should cover it. The Suburban rescue truck has needed frequent repairs and may need replacing at an estimated $50,000 to $100,000. A resident asked if the article's purpose must change to buy a rescue vehicle. The chief said a rescue vehicle counts as a fire truck, and the Select Board can spend from the fund. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 3: Fire department equipment reserve
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed adding $4,000 to the Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. The fire chief said the amount was raised to pay for new firefighter gear, which should be replaced every 10 years. New PFAS-free gear costs about $4,300 per set. Three sets are on order and four more are due next year. Air packs will be out of date in 2028 and cost $11,000 each. Fewer will be bought because the department is smaller. The fund holds $12,870. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 4: Public safety building trust fund
Amended to add the definition, then moved to the ballot as amended. All in favor.
The town proposed creating a Public Safety Building Expendable Trust Fund (a savings fund for a set purpose) and putting $50,000 in it from the 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no tax money. The money would pay for design, engineering, planning and surveys. A Select Board member said the town's insurer, Primex, found health and safety problems in current buildings, such as poor ventilation and too little space. A committee is studying a combined public safety building. The chair said a preliminary plan is needed to apply for possible federal grants, and the building could serve as a warming and cooling center. The meeting amended the article to define a safety building as a combined police, fire and emergency operations center. A resident asked about the Primex audit, and the police chief said it is posted on the town website. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 5: Town Hall trust fund
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed adding $10,000 to the Town Hall Expendable Trust Fund from the 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no tax money. The chair said recent work included repointing the bricks, fixing rotten fascia and installing new gutters, partly paid by last year's $20,000. The fund holds about $5,525 and would reach $15,525. It could cover future needs such as a furnace. A resident noted the article was read with the Select Board named as agents to spend from the fund, but it was not written that way. It was explained that the board is already the agent and the language matches the version approved by the Department of Revenue. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 6: Road maintenance trust fund
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed adding $25,000 to the Road Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund from the 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no tax money. A Select Board member said saving for current and future road repairs is important. A resident thanked the Highway Department for clearing roads. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 7: Legal trust fund
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed adding $20,000 to the Legal Expendable Trust Fund from the 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no tax money. The chair said the money is for unexpected legal costs. There were three lawsuits last year; two were dismissed and one remains. The board also changed town counsel to DTC Attorneys, at $100 per hour less. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 8: Paramedic service trust fund
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed adding $10,000 to the Advanced Life Support (paramedic) Municipal Intercept Program Expendable Trust Fund from the 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no tax money. The chair said Exeter Hospital ended its paramedic service on short notice, so the town joined a regional service based in Plaistow. The town did not pay for this service for 30 years but now must. In 2025, $25,000 went into the fund, and a local donor covered the town's cost for two years, totaling $26,000. The addition would bring the fund over $61,000. The town takes on full cost in 2027. The fee may change from a flat fee to $600-$800 per call. A $1 placeholder line was added to the operating budget to prepare for moving the cost to taxes. A resident asked how much the fund should hold; the chair said it depends on how payment changes and on state and local funding. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 9: Library maintenance trust fund petition
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
Residents petitioned to create a Library Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund with $5,000 from the 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no tax money. A Select Board member said it was prompted by unexpected costs for a new HVAC system and would serve as a reserve for future repairs. The petitioner thanked the Select Board for its support. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.
Article 10: Disabled veteran tax credit update
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
The town proposed changing its optional tax credit for service-connected total and permanent disability to $1,900, starting with the final 2026 property tax bill. The town clerk said a new state law requires the change. It combines the current $1,400 disability credit and $500 veteran credit into one $1,900 credit. The Select Board recommended it 3-0.