Story · Select Board
2026 budget and warrant articles
The board will review the town's revenues and expenses.
How it happened
Jan 6 · MinutesFirst mention
The Board and the town's administrator reviewed updates to the $2,454,637 operating budget. They also reviewed warrant articles (questions for voters), including capital reserves, trust funds and citizen petitions, and confirmed the funding source and amount for each. The Board adjusted some amounts and the use of money from the unassigned fund balance (the town's leftover savings). The chair said that with the final $50,000 warrant article and money from selling the old fire truck, the Town will have enough to buy the new fire truck this year. The Board also cut the expendable legal fees warrant article from $25,000 to $20,000.
The Board adjusted certain amounts and the use of unassigned fund balance. No vote count was given.
Jan 6 · Minutes
Final budget figures will be discussed at the Budget Hearing on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Jan 6 · Minutes
The town's administrator said a citizen petition was received on January 6, 2026, to set up a Library Expendable Maintenance Trust Fund with $5,000. The money would come from the unassigned fund balance, not from taxes.
Jan 6 · MinutesDecided
The Board talked about cutting the Conservation Commission budget line by $1,000 for monitoring fees that the commission will pay itself. A former Select Board chair said the commission must get Select Board approval for spending, so the $1,000 should stay in the budget to show all spending no matter where the money comes from. The Board then set the budget line at $7,000.
The Board adjusted the budget line to $7,000. No vote count was given.
Jan 6 · MinutesDecided
Last year's Library budget was $76,348. The Board agreed to add $8,000 for the HVAC (heating and cooling) system, and the Friends of the Library will give the other $10,000. The chair said the $8,000 is a one-time amount that will not be part of the 2027 budget base. He said other funds were moved to cover it, so no extra tax money is needed. The 2026 Library budget will be $79,000. A Friends representative said the Friends will pay the Library directly, not the Town, and asked for a clear list of which costs belong to the Town and which to the Library. A former Select Board chair said the Town must pay the HVAC deposit so the cost stays in the 2025 budget, and the Library will pay the rest. The Board also signed a thank-you letter to the Friends, to be mailed the next day.
The Board agreed to the $8,000 increase, for a 2026 Library budget of $79,000. No vote count was given.
Jan 6 · Agenda
The Select Board will do a final review of the budget warrant articles. A warrant article is a question that voters decide at Town Meeting or on the ballot.
Jan 13 · Minutes
On January 13, 2026, the chair presented the 2026 budget (state form MS-636) at a budget hearing. The budget year runs January 1 to December 31, 2026. The chair said no changes could be made at this hearing. Changes must be made at the Deliberative Session (the meeting where voters can change warrant articles) on February 3, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. Health insurance rose 14.7%, dental rose 4.4%, and property/liability insurance through Primex rose 21%. Three elections in 2026 raise election costs: March 10, September 8 and November 3. A change in Town Counsel will save at least $100 per hour. Highway and streets rose $30,000 to finish paving Deertrees and Swamscott Streets. The town budgeted $187,355 for recycling and trash. Overall, the operating budget rose 6.02%. The chair said the board focused on needs over wants.
Jan 13 · Minutes
Article 1 asks voters to raise $2,366,237 for the 2026 operating budget. If voters reject it, the default budget (the budget that takes effect if voters reject the proposed one) would be $2,269,920. The governing body could also hold one special meeting to take up a revised operating budget only. The Select Board recommends $2,366,237. A majority vote is required.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 2 asks voters to raise $50,000 to add to the Fire Truck Capital Reserve Fund, a savings fund for a future new fire truck. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 3 asks voters to raise $4,000 to add to the Fire Department Equipment Capital Reserve Fund, which already exists. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 5 asks voters to add $10,000 to the Town Hall Expendable Trust Fund, set up in 1998, for Town Hall maintenance and repairs. The money would come from the December 31, 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no money raised by taxes. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 6 asks voters to add $25,000 to the Road Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund, set up in 2012, for town road maintenance and repairs. The money would come from the December 31, 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no money raised by taxes. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 7 asks voters to add $20,000 to the Legal Expendable Trust Fund, set up in 2025. The money would come from the December 31, 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no money raised by taxes. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 8 asks voters to add $10,000 to the Advanced Life Support Municipal Intercept Program Expendable Trust Fund, set up in 2025, to pay for emergency paramedic services. The money would come from the December 31, 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no money raised by taxes. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 9 is a citizens' petition. It asks voters to create a Library Maintenance Expendable Trust Fund and put $5,000 in it to keep the library building safe and repair its systems. The money would come from the December 31, 2025 unassigned fund balance, with no money raised by taxes. The Select Board would be the agents who spend from the fund. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · MinutesDecided
Article 10 asks voters to change the optional tax credit for a veteran with a service-connected total and permanent disability to $1,900. If approved, it would take effect for the final property tax bill of the 2026 tax year. The Select Board recommended it 3-0. A majority vote is required.
Select Board recommended the article 3-0.
Jan 13 · Minutes
The chair said state law requires towns to keep an undesignated fund balance (unspent tax money carried over) of more than 5% but less than 17% of the operating budget. In 2024 it was $1,036,549, or 12.3%. In 2025, after about $174,000 was spent on warrant articles, it fell to $770,998, or 8.6%. The Board agreed to use another $175,000 this year to lower the municipal tax rate from $3.20 to $2.80 per $1,000 of assessed value, and to work to rebuild the fund next year. Rates presented per $1,000: municipal $2.80, county $0.63, state education $1.10, local education $12.42, for a total of $16.95. Warrant articles were reduced by $66,147 compared to last year. Total recommended appropriations rose 2.7%. Estimated taxes to be raised rose 8.73%, or $127,565.
Jan 13 · Agenda
The agenda lists a legal notice for a budget hearing. A budget hearing is a public meeting where residents can hear about and comment on the proposed town budget.
Jan 19 · MinutesDecided
The commissioners talked about the budget lines. The recording secretary was directed to share the budget worksheets with everyone so they can add items.
The recording secretary was directed to share the budget worksheets.
Jan 19 · Minutes
The Waterworth program will help with the budgeting process. The recording secretary emailed Luis to set up a time to discuss Waterworth. The meeting with Luis will be on February 16 at 9:00 AM.
Jan 26 · Minutes
The trustees talked about open items and how to keep the books properly. Open items were utilities, which include the HVAC (heating and cooling) project, and supplies. The library director and staff will go over staff hours again. The trustees asked why the library has a donation account and what it can be used for. One trustee will ask the NH Library Trustees Association. A line item budget is needed for a staff member, and the trustees will talk with that person. The trustees also need to find an accountant to help sort out earlier years in Quicken, the accounting software.
Jan 26 · Minutes
The trustees plan to create a full line item budget to present in April.
Jan 27 · Minutes
The Board reviewed each warrant article ahead of the Deliberative Session on Feb 3 (the meeting where voters discuss and may amend warrant articles). A guest moderator, filling in for the usual moderator, led the review. They covered each Board member's duties, expected amendments, and legal limits tied to several funds. On a library fund amendment, the moderator said the state Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) does not allow private donations to be mixed with public money. Taking private donations would need a separate fund created by a future warrant article. On Articles 11, 12 and 13 (Water and Sewer maintenance funds), the moderator said he would ask the municipal association and the DRA for guidance. He said changes to the warrant after posting may not be legal, and the articles could be resubmitted next year. He said he would explain the process at the start, handle questions outside the warrant, and send zoning questions to the Planning Board. Some information may be made public in advance.
Jan 27 · Minutes
MS-636, MS-DTB and warrant signing
Jan 27 · Agenda
The Select Board will discuss whether to include employee compensation (pay) in the yearly town report.
Jan 27 · Agenda
The Select Board will review and sign the 2026 MS-636 and MS-DTB forms and the warrant. The warrant is the list of questions voters will decide.
Feb 3 · MinutesDecided
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.
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
Feb 3 · MinutesDecided
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.
Moved to the ballot as written. All in favor.
Feb 5 · MinutesDecided
Article 2 asks voters to approve a $3,770,200 operating budget. If voters reject it, the default budget (the budget that takes effect if voters reject the proposed one) would be $3,732,963. The School Board and Budget Advisory Committee recommend $3,770,200. The cost per pupil was given as $27,661. Proficiency was given as 73% in English, 57% in math and 29% in science. A resident asked why the facilities line dropped by $36,000. The chair said $40,000 had been set aside last year for LED lights, which cost more than expected, and paving is now in the bond. A resident raised concern about the 29% science score. The principal said resources have shifted toward grades 4 and 5, including more hands-on science. A resident asked about driveway paving, and a board member said it is now covered by the bond.
Voters at the session moved Article 2 as written to the ballot. All were in favor. A second vote, also with all in favor, restricted reconsideration.
Feb 5 · Agenda
Three files are posted for this meeting: the 2026 Newfields Elementary School budget, the default budget (the budget that takes effect if voters reject the proposed budget), and the warrant articles (questions voters decide at Town Meeting).
Feb 17 · Minutes
The trustees listed open items for the FY26 budget and the process for proper accounting. The items are utilities, which include the HVAC project, and supplies. The library director and staff are to go over staff hours again.
Feb 17 · Minutes
The trustees plan to create a full line item budget for FY27 and present it in April.
Mar 2 · Minutes
Budget help and asset management grant
Mar 9 · Minutes
On March 9, 2026, the Newfields Village Water & Sewer District held a budget workshop at the Ray P. Buxton, Jr., Building, 75 Main Street. The meeting ran from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM. The chair and two commissioners were there, along with the systems operator. The group worked on the proposed 2026 District budget. The minutes do not list any budget figures, votes, or changes. The meeting ended without objection.
Mar 9 · Agenda
The district's commissioners will hold a work session on the 2026 budget. The meeting is on March 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM at the District Office.
Mar 23 · Minutes
On March 23, 2026, the Newfields Village Water & Sewer District held a budget workshop at the Ray P. Buxton, Jr., Building, 75 Main Street. The meeting ran from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM. The chair, two commissioners and the systems operator were present. The meeting was held to work on the proposed 2026 District Budget. The minutes do not list any figures, changes or votes. The meeting adjourned without objection.
Mar 30 · Minutes
On March 30, 2026, the Newfields Village Water & Sewer District held a budget workshop from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at the Ray P. Buxton, Jr., Building, 75 Main Street. The Chair, two commissioners and the systems operator were present. The meeting was held to work on the proposed 2026 District budget and to get ready for the public hearings on the bond, budget and warrant articles (questions for voters) on April 2, 2026. The minutes do not list any budget figures or changes. The meeting ended without objection. The minutes were approved April 6, 2026.
Apr 2 · MinutesDecided
Warrant Article 4 asks voters to put $9,000 into the Sewer Capital Reserve Fund, a savings account for future sewer costs. The district also separated its water and sewer accounting for the first time, to track costs and manage rates.
The commissioners voted 3-0 to recommend passage of Warrant Article 4.
Apr 2 · MinutesDecided
Warrant Article 5 asks voters to approve a 2026 operating budget of $908,938. Commissioners said the district separated its water and sewer accounting for the first time. They said it is using Waterworth software to set a baseline for assets and expenses, which is meant to level out future cash flow and keep rates steady.
The commissioners voted 3-0 to recommend passage of Warrant Article 5.
Apr 2 · Agenda
On Thursday, April 2, 2026, right after the water bond hearing, the district's commissioners will hold a public hearing under RSA 32:5, I. They will review the proposed 2026 water and sewer operating budgets and warrant articles (questions for voters) and hear public input. More information is available at the Water Department, 75 Main Street, and on www.newfieldsnh.gov under Departments, then Water & Sewer.
Apr 6 · Agenda
The commissioners are set to work on the 2026 water budget and the 2026 sewer budget. The agenda lists filling out form MS 636, a state budget form.
Apr 20 · Minutes
The library director and staff are to go over staff hours. The director will update the shared Google document.
Apr 27 · Agenda
A file called 2026 Budget Analysis is attached to the meeting materials. It is listed as a document only.
Apr 27 · Agenda
A file called 2026 Proposed Warrant is attached to the meeting materials. A warrant is the list of questions voters decide at Town Meeting.
Apr 27 · Agenda
A file called 2026 Proposed Budget is attached to the meeting materials. It is listed as a document only.
Jul 13 · Minutes
The board is about halfway through the fiscal year and planned to talk about spending for the rest of it. A check of about $4,000 from the Mellon fund is expected on the August list of bills.
Oct 27 · Minutes
Library trustees presented a proposed FY2027 budget with about $128,892 in operating costs and $30,268 in expected income. The net cost to the town is $98,624. Last year's budgeted town amount was $79,000, but actual spending was $91,594 because of extra expenses. The new figure is about 7.7% above last year's actual spending and 24.8% above last year's budgeted amount. The Select Board questioned using last year's actual spending as the starting point. It asked the trustees to review expenses and find possible cuts. The trustees said some trust funds can only be used for set purposes and they are checking with an advisor about allowed uses. The Board asked for timely financial reports and a clearer match between actual spending and appropriations. The Board said money from the undesignated fund balance (unspent town savings) will not be available to offset expenses this year. Detailed salary information, including paid time off for part-time staff, will be discussed later. The Board was invited to the trustees' November 9 meeting, and Cat or Mark will attend.
Oct 27 · Agenda
The Library Trustees are scheduled to meet with the board at 7:00 pm about the library's budget.
Oct 27 · Agenda
The board will review the town's revenues and expenses.