[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6281390,"mediaKeyId","2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085","parentId",2606027,"title","Votes at a glance: Plymouth town meeting results on major warrant articles","audioSeconds",5500,"startMs",2610000,"endMs",8110000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085&start=2610&end=8110","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085/thumbnail_2610000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281390/Plymouth/Grafton-County/New-Hampshire/Votes-at-a-glance-Plymouth-town-meeting-results-on-major-warrant-articles","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281390-9cfd45e10bd9db94c04569933f51fb70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189332&Signature=QIQNJ6djxLZJOCsMhBnhpOjWxAyJz4V84Ev7dW6KWWWA-3odNCUNUsQkI9L8oN5xdhDRLUzOmJxzBL7j4WzclRQebeS01MOK63MmOM9R7f6osZ4N48aOvCvV9oC-PDpkIUx0uV1pOCOM4JJbTbuueOADNadEXN8GpF9IQopi0UaDI4v5j3LqeXw7nkuji-iDSKpnJC-EIgOKo2PsUCdu5-sJaFFYaA8dq0kT7Vv9tATwu8ybAJNRSolWSqBlK1o8ZK9~uReOdLAVOSgmVWyH1~C7Al3Uj8swx0WEWYTyjRSthJE2zjZ5rbQf73sr1sZtkVGwAvdIb5JUvuSm1EgtFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Plymouth, NH","date","2025-03-13T18:14:41Z","article","This summary lists the major warrant articles considered at the Plymouth annual town meeting on March 11, 2025, the funding amounts presented at the meeting and the recorded outcome where reported in the transcript. Where the transcript did not contain a numeric tally, the outcome is recorded as voice vote or \"not specified\" for a numerical count.

Major voted articles (selection)
- Article 8 — FY2025–26 general governance and department expenses: Raise and appropriate $13,565,245. Outcome: Approved (secret ballot; moderator announced results reported in transcript as 40 yes, 21 no, 1 invalid).
- Article 10 — Police parking: Raise and appropriate $76,846 with $40,000 from the parking special revenue fund; balance from taxation. Outcome: Approved (voice vote; numeric tally not specified in transcript).
- Article 11 — Highway department: Raise and appropriate $1,287,272; $30,000 from muni Transportation Enhancement capital reserve. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 12 — Plymouth Municipal Airport: Raise and appropriate $1,111,598 with $7,000 from special reserve fund. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 13 — Full‑time fire EMS personnel: Raise and appropriate $102,570 for one additional full‑time position. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 14 — Police union (collective bargaining): Approve contract items and raise $87,156 for FY2025–26 costs. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 16 — Plymouth Professional Firefighters contract: Raise and appropriate $168,548 for FY2025–26 costs. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 18 — Emerson Street repairs: Raise and appropriate $295,000 from unassigned fund balance (no tax impact). Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 19 — Highland Street reconstruction: Raise and appropriate $251,000 from unassigned fund balance. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 20 — Capital projects: Raise and appropriate $352,507 for the listed capital projects (library painting, landfill monitoring, town hall HVAC, reevaluation of properties, airport well, etc.). Outcome: Approved after amendment to reduce revaluation funding failed.
- Article 21 — Fire engine lease (payment #3): Raise and appropriate $161,945. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 22 — Eight‑year tanker lease: Authorize lease for $911,320; raise and appropriate $143,009.42 for first payment. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 23 — Ambulance lease: Authorize five‑year lease in amount of $450,000; first‑year payment $113,000. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 24 — Highway dump truck lease: Authorize five‑year lease $251,793; first‑year payment $58,636. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 25 — Fire department command vehicle: Raise and appropriate $79,568. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 26 — New police cruiser: Raise and appropriate $70,000. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 27 — Repeater on Hemp Hill (police communications): Raise and appropriate $25,000. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 28 — Taser lease (payment #2): Raise and appropriate $11,237. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 29 — Recycling center glass removal: Raise and appropriate $25,000. Outcome: Approved (voice vote); motion to reconsider failed.
- Article 30 — Building needs assessment (police and fire): Raise and appropriate $25,000 for feasibility study; an amendment to increase to $50,000 failed. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 31 — Conservation Commission natural resource inventory: Raise and appropriate $14,000 with $9,000 from unassigned fund balance and $5,000 from the Conservation Commission special revenue fund. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- Article 32 — Capital reserve deposits (multiple funds): Raise and appropriate $555,000 in total for various capital reserve funds. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). The nonprofit allocations article that followed was amended on the floor and approved at $59,470 allocated proportionally among the listed agencies.
- Article 34 — Cannon repair and renovate capital reserve fund: Establish fund and raise $5,000 for maintenance. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

Notes on voting and procedure
- Several voice‑vote articles were passed without numeric tallies recorded in the public transcript; where the moderator read a specific tally in the transcript (Article 8), that figure is recorded above. In some cases residents moved to restrict reconsideration on groups of articles after they were approved; those motions were carried.
- The transcript records amendments offered and defeated on several articles (for example, a proposed increase to the public‑safety building study and reallocation attempts on capital projects).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 Town of Plymouth Annual Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Voters approved the recommended operating budget and multiple warrant articles on capital projects, public safety, equipment leases and nonprofit allocations; a selection of article outcomes and key numbers are listed below.","taxTitle","Plymouth, Grafton County, New Hampshire","taxId",61623,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6281395,"Plymouth to replace airport well and fund terminal repairs after debate over public use and costs",318,3887000,4205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085&start=3887&end=4205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085/thumbnail_3887000.jpg","/articles/6281395/Plymouth/Grafton-County/New-Hampshire/Plymouth-to-replace-airport-well-and-fund-terminal-repairs-after-debate-over-public-use-and-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281395-22782198eb85951ba61c06c56d864d63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189332&Signature=mdtTwLI9o5KwPe66TZXRxTNnEltwIPz~jaatxpx3BaTnG84B375G-MAEr7QXz6bTpu9mscDNljVunBK6r6vj6owIbzG2xAI~a6Fng79db0I8yYCkJItP28lsHxQOpbCMfckRVgzYBliNi-tOqvaVb-I4Ro7E9gqZ3~rxNbI07L8oKsuuF1d3g5xTzApo~w~xQeoVu~O1jpiYEEYCt17Sl~OLhHh1-Iclsl-3uO8sm22ArEx0hjF5f3SWSnLkST1LTsw3d6RQNkzqCbqrzTJHBHmfhibUvQV915q4k6VXDePZtekOJG5OwC3VGYnDGUUYjIlc49tPuXOIlwIMo9Kyqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Voters approved funding for the Plymouth Municipal Airport in Article 12 and included a $20,000 appropriation for airport well replacement within the capital projects article. The airport discussion drew sustained public comment about the facility’s public‑use role, restroom conditions and the cost of maintaining municipal airport infrastructure.

Airport manager Colin MacGyver described the existing well as a shallow, dug well in a wetland area with poor water quality; he told the meeting the town has remaining funds from American Rescue Plan allocations that the airport can use toward a new well and that using those funds would not increase the tax burden. “The water is very foul,” Colin MacGyver said when explaining the need for replacement; he added that the airport well replacement would be paid from remaining ARPA funds rather than directly from current taxpayers.

Supporters emphasized public‑safety and community uses for the airport. Brendan Hillcomb, who described his work with the university’s meteorology program and airport projects, said the airport supports events, school activities and emergency operations. A resident pointed out the airport is used by medevac services, the National Guard and fish‑and‑game operations for rescues, and one commenter said losing an operational municipal airport would be difficult to replace.

Opponents and skeptics questioned whether the town should fund a public restroom at the airport or whether a portable restroom could suffice. Officials responded that a permanent well and building repairs better support public safety uses and planned community events, and that available ARPA funds are already allocated to some airport needs.

Ending: The airport project was approved as part of capital appropriations; the airport manager and the select board will proceed with scheduling and procurement using the ARPA allocation where eligible and will report on construction and operational plans.","Voters approved airport funding in the capital articles and separate capital projects to replace a failing dug well at the municipal airport; town officials said American Rescue Plan funds will pay much of the cost and there will be minimal tax impact, while residents debated the need for a public restroom and long‑term maintenance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6281400,"Plymouth approves firefighter hire, police and fire contracts, and multiple equipment leases",2202,2833000,5035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085&start=2833&end=5035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085/thumbnail_2833000.jpg","/articles/6281400/Plymouth/Grafton-County/New-Hampshire/Plymouth-approves-firefighter-hire-police-and-fire-contracts-and-multiple-equipment-leases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281400-2cde811317984fe6a226b79d1dccae9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189332&Signature=krUeYQAcDDUFS-lcpDbCxaA8j6hnZmy1YRXwnYo~VmM5zCQUAQRw43Fy8SLZ7BnS0qYBZEU4zkBYB09jVJ6MukVjENEy07qaF2SQdbqrVnjU6f-Nxm-~yBXdVTd-JkANYI0mOTor-iP4ge4dGmT9ltnrc-9n559q0iXm6A0eOTr2hCbraCA5USwHuHzF8ve7IxBI~G6QKIWC5kmV5ID71BPPYjXhVsWwYf6ueu64sTIufjqp9qUN3hDE-fX6HswLkk4pozcwZkcw44IAdaQ7jUnGIhREmhyvDA8GtnW3qx1o~uzc0bh3hugC1WIjLLA~3dEZUVfItI3FHA4J56vNog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town meeting voters approved a set of public‑safety measures that together seek to staff and equip Plymouth’s emergency services.

Key outcomes: voters approved funding to hire one additional full‑time Plymouth Fire Rescue employee (Article 13), ratified a three‑year contract with the Plymouth Police Department (Article 14), and approved a one‑year agreement with the Plymouth Professional Firefighters (Article 16). Meeting voters also authorized multi‑year lease payments for a replacement fire engine (Article 21), a new dry‑side tandem‑axle tanker (Article 22) and a replacement ambulance (Article 23).

Why it matters: Select board and presenters said the hires and equipment are intended to respond to rising call volume and to meet industry service and safety standards. Fire Chief Kevin Pierce said Plymouth Fire Rescue has seen a roughly 23% increase in call volume over five years and that adding staff and modern apparatus is intended to improve response and to meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) service expectations. “This year alone, we’ve done 1,824 emergency responses,” Chief Kevin Pierce said when explaining the request for additional personnel and apparatus.

Contract details and resident concerns
- Police contract: the three‑year contract with the Plymouth Police Department includes pay increases estimated at roughly $87,156 for fiscal year 2025–26; negotiated raises are 4% in 2025–26, 3% in 2026–27 and 3% in 2027–28, the manager said. The article passed by voice vote.
- Fire contract and hire: the one‑year professional‑firefighters agreement carries an estimated $168,548 fiscal‑year cost; voters approved both the contract and the separate article to fund one additional full‑time firefighter. Town officials said the single‑year contract aligns the firefighters’ schedule with future multi‑year negotiations.

Apparatus and leases
- Fire engine lease (Article 21): voters approved payment number three of a five‑year lease for a previously approved fire engine; the appropriation for the annual lease payment was approved by voice vote.
- Tanker lease (Article 22): the select board was authorized to enter an eight‑year lease for a Pierce Manufacturing dry‑side tanker in the amount of $911,320, with the first‑year payment of $143,009.42 approved by voters; the lease contains an escape clause. Officials explained the lead time for new apparatus can be multiple years and cited rising steel tariffs and long delivery schedules as reasons to order now.
- Ambulance lease (Article 23): voters authorized a five‑year lease in the amount of $450,000 for a replacement ambulance and approved the first‑year payment of $113,000.

Public comment during debate included concerns about recurring operating costs and taxes. One resident asked whether apparatus could be procured used to reduce cost; Chief Pierce and other officials said older apparatus would only defer replacement and may increase maintenance costs. Other residents emphasized public‑safety and insurance implications of aging equipment.

Ending: The approved agreements and leases will be funded from the operating budget and lease purchases; select board and department staff will manage procurement and delivery schedules and report back to the town on implementation.","Voters approved one additional full‑time firefighter, a three‑year police union contract and a one‑year fire union agreement; the meeting also authorized capital leases for a new fire engine, a tanker, and a replacement ambulance after public discussion of costs and public‑safety needs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6281404,"Plymouth manager proposes $13.57 million budget; fund balance rose to $1.85 million",1096,374000,1470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085&start=374&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2606027-7af7a26a28ffd6b16d019ffd22194085/thumbnail_374000.jpg","/articles/6281404/Plymouth/Grafton-County/New-Hampshire/Plymouth-manager-proposes-1357-million-budget-fund-balance-rose-to-185-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281404-f886ab0c81c1f7f4073383af4ea4f448/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189332&Signature=jmW2VlRGWjbDQ0TLBBrKdTA0pLX40AGcSmhwDbDDg5ZVjSiMMdDYqNXA94~m6zTl120l78G50eicSeCFwNdDHWuLvqqYgox6KNiu9aTU9WDrHfqQUPEjUpFMzwgIJnYJTjUzyJnkoVzr~aI5JLSkm4q5je8s7pT-ApUtftYJcQjT9GFkOfzmITwWn5RnDemaign16kJtQElssfwWHoRcGfZOZ~VteztKjYmB7m62a9R5mkFi571kJ5jjJRjzP5KMAQpRuUJbIZp8RGJvqAXICFyWASB6pNYBmAeBDmYtFuTDIm3PwAQXbuglIf~lHiUTtSQiyzV3kjT3zwq51k~0kg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Scott presented the Plymouth Select Board’s recommended fiscal 2025–26 operating budget on the first night of the town’s annual meeting, calling for $13,565,245 in spending and estimating an approximate 8¢ per $1,000 potential increase to the municipal portion of the tax rate.

Scott, town manager, said the recommended budget represents about a 6% increase in total appropriations compared with the prior year and includes a 4% across‑the‑board wage increase and modest health‑insurance growth. “If approved, the 2025–26 budget is $13,565,245, which is an approximate increase of 6% from the 2024–25 budget of $12,780,224,” he told attendees.

The manager emphasized the town’s fund balance improvement as a planning tool. The town began 2024 with a fund balance of $331,000 and the audited year‑end fund balance at the close of 2024 is $1,849,526, Scott said. He said the unassigned fund balance could be recommended by the select board this fall to offset some or all of the estimated tax increase when the final tax rate is set.

Why it matters: Plymouth’s budget discussion sets the spending framework that will appear on this year’s warrant and affect next year’s tax rate. The fund‑balance increase gives the select board options for limiting tax‑rate movement, but Scott said revenue estimates remain preliminary and that the board may choose to apply some unassigned fund balance when setting the tax rate.

Key budget drivers and priorities
- Personnel: the recommended budget factors a 4% general wage increase and the restoration or retention of staff in areas of high demand. Scott said the package includes funding for one additional firefighter and other position restorations discussed with department heads.
- Public safety and infrastructure: the budget continues support for public safety, planning and development, public works, library and recreation. A needs assessment for a future public safety complex is funded separately as a capital project and the manager said the town hopes to present options by the March 2026 meeting.
- Capital planning and grants: Plymouth’s capital improvement program covers roads, sidewalks, equipment and buildings. Scott reported $534,742 in grants secured during fiscal 2024–25 for 10 projects and said staff worked with the budget committee and department heads on a two‑year capital plan to smooth large purchases.

Questions from residents focused on tax impact and specific line items. One attendee asked whether approving all warrant articles would necessarily raise taxes; a town official explained that the 0.8% estimate was just that — an estimate — and that the select board could use unassigned fund balance to reduce or eliminate the net tax impact.

The manager urged continued scrutiny of capital expenditures and said departments were asked to define measurable outcomes for proposed projects, a change meant to improve evaluation across multi‑year investments.

Ending: The recommended budget will be considered through the warrant process during the remainder of the meeting. The manager encouraged residents to review the budget documents posted at Town Hall and online and to participate in votes on the warrant articles scheduled for the remainder of the session.","Town manager Scott presented a recommended $13,565,245 budget for fiscal year 2025–26, a 6% spending increase and an estimated 8¢ per $1,000 tax-rate impact; the town’s audited fund balance rose to $1,849,526 at the end of 2024, and the manager said the select board may use fund balance to offset the tax impact.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Plymouth town meeting results on major warrant articles

Plymouth to replace airport well and fund terminal repairs after debate over public use and costs

Plymouth approves firefighter hire, police and fire contracts, and multiple equipment leases

Plymouth manager proposes $13.57 million budget; fund balance rose to $1.85 million