[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6454356,"mediaKeyId","5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e","parentId",5860905,"title","Brentwood select board asks departments for itemized budget backup, sets level-funding as policy goal","audioSeconds",920,"startMs",2214000,"endMs",3134000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e&start=2214&end=3134","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e/thumbnail_2214000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454356/New-Hampshire/Brentwood-select-board-asks-departments-for-itemized-budget-backup-sets-level-funding-as-policy-goal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454356-dc64ba1956ee9646bdbcc93e0d03ae8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776660548&Signature=IQfAwDLltpbCGKEOlWIpa-YwB~YCqivEwRyafq8fv4-7zCqnm0Ou~UhGX8K-9t17aTqoGFpaoBmji-17ibKw5PzZKlvWVf~kZUfsr6UM8d6Z1VK-9r9hBRZd9ErC7pEREXvdrsDxGGn1q1qpsAHNvEcnKjjCUng8JIjIsepiMXIplMMGOmz4vr~PVruhbsPRFTeCFbUUJWHG49Ai3nQq2tO5l-g-ScPFO1SXwN5JRqHro4GE~YWkpzulaq3peUgFWExnEenulNeM1L5ZXvPHXm5VIM7K~s7Iz~ZSgJ6h9fEAaOjslB094HMpDUOxaOg9THelSbod92VafWTaoGLu5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Brentwood, NH","date","2025-09-30T21:59:53Z","article","The Brentwood Select Board voted to require departments to provide detailed, line-item backup for their 2026 budget submissions and declared a nonbinding goal that the town’s operating budget be as close to level funding as possible.

At the meeting the board reviewed a proposed checklist of budget backup items circulated by the budget committee, including for each department: account name, employee name, position, employee group type, current salary or wage rate, recommended percent increase, hours per week for hourly employees, stipends, retirement eligibility and benefit eligibility. Jim Hajar, chair of the budget committee, summarized the items and told the board the format was intended to make departmental requests auditable and comparable across departments.

Select Board members and the budget committee argued the schedules would reduce surprise increases and speed review during hearings. The board moved and approved a motion to request that departments supply the specified employee-level information and line-item justification when they present budgets; several department heads had already submitted supporting spreadsheets, the board noted, but the requirement will be formalized going forward.

Separately, the Select Board unanimously agreed to adopt a policy-level goal of aiming for a level-funded operating budget for 2026 — described at the meeting as a goal rather than a binding limit — and invited department heads to “sharpen their pencils” and return with realistic, documented justifications for requested increases. The board discussed that some increases (fuel, electricity, newly created positions) may be unavoidable and said it expected department heads to present supporting documentation for larger line-item increases.

The board also handled a number of budget-line votes during the meeting: it approved the welfare budget as proposed (see Votes at a glance), tabled the conservation commission budget pending further breakdown and instructed staff to obtain missing actuals for 2024–25 reconciliations.

The motion requiring the backup documentation was framed as implementation of the budget committee’s request and is intended to be enforced before departmental budget presentations to the Select Board and the budget committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Selectboard Meeting 09/30/2025 Brentwood, NH","oneSentenceSummary","The Select Board voted to require departments to provide itemized budget backups (employee-level wage detail and line-item justifications) and adopted a nonbinding goal of trying to level-fund the town operating budget as it moves into the 2026 budget hearings.","taxTitle","Brentwood Town, Rockingham County, New Hampshire","taxId",74075,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454360,"Brentwood treasurer tells select board $111,704 in impact fees collected this year; $97,000 distributed",1476,157000,1633000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e&start=157&end=1633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e/thumbnail_157000.jpg","/articles/6454360/New-Hampshire/Brentwood-treasurer-tells-select-board-111704-in-impact-fees-collected-this-year-97000-distributed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454360-be648e72393d5468f56cdacd0e20a459/orig.mp4?Expires=1776660548&Signature=QZI7Vm2LMNbEXwhVzbOvf6~7S7PaRcWC2BtBB1zjmnVvGY91AEkDN2uSeBgyOkbIefYR3EuZgeeLd6PC7IcNr8eFRRX5i4ALMyEDtb6AghFzQu2D1rtudAFQdb7BIRZAIMWjdE-WvP1UPOvd0mtq9WKOOVyazP~ZSdMTihDdZ~QUZe5QbONOCrMqOsVuHuRzpfEfqEyOylUcIHyJAQ8LluIUyLMphJWo3jywQrbM8bujWH9qGj~FHwbK~m07scng6t6l6mQ~df~N88OzN4RZ2ISRWaj0CyL2ZydlE-FofJYCTR~TwBdGY2KyBMoyGKdHgskC50vf-lal-dzhfQCgLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Select Board meeting, Brentwood Town Treasurer Ambrose Kisa told the board that the town collected $111,704 in impact fees so far this year and has distributed $97,000 to departmental escrow accounts.

Kisa said, “So if you for for the board, if you look at what has come in right now is 111,000 $111,704. And out of that, only 97,000 has been distributed.” He explained that $14,472 had arrived recently and would be routed to the appropriate escrow accounts.

The board and members of the public pressed for detail about how the fees are calculated and where they go. Kisa and other officials explained that the town uses an impact-fee schedule based on a 2022 update and that the planning board adopts the specific allocation chart that directs funds to police, library, recreation, fire, schools and the Town of Brentwood building account. Kisa said that, administratively, impact-fee receipts are first deposited to the general fund and then transferred to the designated escrow accounts for each eligible capital facility.

Residents and board members raised questions about the apparent distribution levels — for example, that recreation and fire received larger allocations than police in the current distribution table — and urged the planning board to review the schedule if members believe it warrants adjustment. Resident Liz Free and Select Board members recommended the planning board reopen its review sooner than the typical cycle.

Kisa flagged Riverrun Development and London Construction LLC as major payers this year; board members noted the year-to-year totals: the town distributed about $124,000 in 2024 and received $111,704 so far this year. One resident’s earlier reference to larger cumulative sums (the meeting cited a figure of roughly $600,000) was discussed: officials said cumulative receipts over many years could reach that magnitude but the town’s current reporting shows the amounts above for recent years.

The board asked the treasurer to provide more detail on which departmental escrow accounts had received the distributions and to supply the one-page schedule from the 2022 report that shows the dollar splits for each capital facility. Officials noted state law requires that impact fees be used only for capital facilities necessitated by new development, and that the town maintains an annual reporting obligation on collections and uses.

The board did not take formal action on the fee schedule at the meeting; members recommended that the planning board review the allocations and that the treasurer supply a written breakdown of the 2025 receipts and the current escrow balances.

The Select Board thanked Kisa for the presentation and invited further documentation for the public record and for the planning board’s review.","Treasurer Ambrose Kisa briefed the Brentwood Select Board on how the town collected and distributed impact fees for the year, clarifying that $111,704 was collected in 2025 and $97,000 had been distributed to departmental escrows, and explaining the planning-board role and the 2022 fee study that sets current rates.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454341,"Select Board to appoint alternate to fill Recreation Commission vacancy; approves Halloween trick-or-treat and asks staff to inspect bleachers",278,1830000,2108000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e&start=1830&end=2108","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e/thumbnail_1830000.jpg","/articles/6454341/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-to-appoint-alternate-to-fill-Recreation-Commission-vacancy-approves-Halloween-trick-or-treat-and-asks-staff-to-inspect-bleachers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454341-bbd9b362c64d924e82675da2ce2d134f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776660548&Signature=nuAoRPTYUA61S8K4Efdt0bdy3O4tosUYT6LSMou0f-L7VSh0quJyFygS1mMggNy-WLIo7QWsydhoO1hNTz4Lxuwxsq9k4KE5NVzlmiES5Ex1xd6ZLGlRhWLgq6YoxIO-DK~1oyHhWSDlErRmrOuKqGOh~moc07wFbsmIaK7ufQTJKX8a9vnhfb0oyACVoOUGeJ2YKeY9CzKBTFeznAW5WqAHGqj49WMwE30gInXx2r3UCaatL9~Vth5MNOSTwRGzcX5eNidZN6OisgNlldLYJ2dBEoZBML2V8AzuwhY~GLcye0wK8i54U2TEUnlkN7NM-y9-TfIKJ3~AH468dXevRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Recreation Department told the Select Board that a seat on the Recreation Commission is vacant after member John Gary resigned; program coordinator Jason Gagnon asked how the board would like to proceed in filling that seat.

Gagnon said the commission has three alternates and one expressed interest in stepping into the full seat. The board instructed Gagnon and the Recreation Commission to make a recommendation to the Select Board for an appointment to fill the remainder of Gary’s term (through March 2026). Jason will return to the Select Board with the recommended name at the board’s next meeting.

On events, the Recreation Commission recommended setting Halloween trick-or-treat hours on October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Select Board voted to approve that recommendation. Program coordinator Jason Gagnon noted the Recreation Commission had historically coordinated time and police presence; the board discussed public-safety considerations tied to weekend scheduling.

Separately, a Select Board member raised concerns about the condition of the bleachers at the far playing field. Gagnon said he would inspect the bleachers immediately and report back; depending on condition the fix could be a quick repair or a longer project. He committed to checking the bleachers the following morning and advising the board of the status.

The board also discussed filling the vacant Recreation Commission seat by recommending an alternate for appointment and noted the commission will follow the standard public-appointment process for the remainder of the term.","The Recreation Commission notified the board of a vacancy after John Gary stepped down; the board asked the commission to recommend an alternate for appointment through March 2026, approved trick-or-treat on Oct. 31 from 6–8 p.m., and directed staff to inspect deteriorating bleachers at the town fields.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454346,"Select Board approves single rate-of-pay form requiring employee, supervisor and board signatures",187,1641000,1828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e&start=1641&end=1828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e/thumbnail_1641000.jpg","/articles/6454346/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-approves-single-rate-of-pay-form-requiring-employee-supervisor-and-board-signatures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454346-5bc48f01c8db29899c7b6d262d7065b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1776660548&Signature=RH1ca4bN9IOG4qjTFheWKdcvRWwhqODqNaHqY~19cIJeVFZ-pA8wQj3xa~mAMtGc3nPKBSxEWMheqamN-f~RWsv0E9za9TgbnIL1KvgN69iW9ThZhyy8GMxemCVkIi7-itWYWdb4WY5bXbRMh~eWRWV~hbJyJjZFC4gZc6E3h6B5iFOem50T063045LG-zA9-XOmO0Ytprkp8RawYaQKSt~z7EdmvezVvlnZ3F7EPqo2cpUDA3~mfNOcTHr-E5CPIUG5sRggkh1k~pfs5U9YM5L878Eo8LD43VU4L6Gr5edny~ECcHBI6nr1RNlB2IW~qSa737CdwjOKwQKXRLg~tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jillian, a town HR/staff member, presented a proposed policy to standardize documentation of employee rate-of-pay changes, recommending a single form signed by the employee, the supervisor and the Select Board.

\"I would like to propose that we use 1 rate of pay form for all employees, to be signed by the employee, their supervisor, and the select board,\" Jillian said. She asked the board to approve the policy while staff finished minor edits to the form.

Board members recommended small adjustments — clarifying hourly vs. salary status, part-time hours, and adding the month/year on the form for future reference — but supported the policy’s intent to create an auditable, consistent record of pay changes. Select Board members said each employee’s personnel file should retain a dated form whenever a pay change occurs.

The board voted to approve the policy; staff will update the form with the suggested tweaks and produce an annual summary format for budget season to reduce duplicate paperwork.","The Select Board adopted a policy requiring a single rate-of-pay form for all employees to be signed by the employee, their supervisor and the Select Board; the form will be tweaked before final distribution.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454351,"Select Board approves health-insurance review steps and task force to assess HealthTrust vs. direct Anthem coverage",894,5257000,6151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e&start=5257&end=6151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860905-cd0e8d4f712852badf8a9afeb77e183e/thumbnail_5257000.jpg","/articles/6454351/New-Hampshire/Select-Board-approves-health-insurance-review-steps-and-task-force-to-assess-HealthTrust-vs-direct-Anthem-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454351-5dbd60f2c1e47fca5a5bae547f00264a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776660548&Signature=h-9RfxaEtgf6PlgKHxuyna-YE23RkmGAfFswQiQ88-tlhzmZmwyBvzcOV0rUFWLGfbLK9osbElLOcKsNAuDSUq~UywaHSrfjPAqphKdxP5zJKWCsyr91q4ZODFbOFXmZ84dhDgdXBFKNKQCY89nIi4CEGBHBDwKeIYq8IyV3I2eYHNhcWgoUwvEq~2sliMTYNpZBo45~6-4NgqgimHbpmSut2REBQ1iba0PduqHdtfyA~ePJhHoRDm4qE4wEH9p8DcbHNx9zOqFG3SLjgtV~hycdPW9BisXuv3UyVe3lWx1MAjWaCYrLVXpgD5D9FUO1G7AtIXNmLCkwP88RwSdlfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brentwood Select Board voted to pursue a structured review of town employee health insurance, asking HealthTrust to present its 2026 plans and rates and asking a benefits consultant to present the alternative of going direct to an insurer such as Anthem.

Jim Hajar, chair of the budget committee, briefed the board on a subteam’s meetings with the fire department and on proposed next steps: 1) schedule a HealthTrust representative (named in discussion as Andrew) to present 2026 plan options and rates; 2) schedule a benefits consultant (identified in meeting as Sean Caron) to present an analysis of going direct to Anthem; 3) form a task force composed of two Select Board members, two budget committee members and at least three department heads to review rates, determine recommended plans and identify cost-saving improvements for employees (FSAs, HRAs or in-lieu payments were mentioned as examples); and 4) have the finance director prepare a financial-impact summary and a proposed 2026 appropriation based on the task force recommendations.

Hajar said the goal is to make a timely recommendation that could be implemented for 2026 open enrollment: “Once the 2026 rates are available... we'd like to have HealthTrust... give a presentation... and then the benefits consultant to present a similar overview of the 2026 plans, coverages, rates of going direct to Anthem.” He emphasized collaboration between the Select Board, budget committee and department heads to find a solution that lowers cost exposure for both employees and the town.

The board approved the plan and the motion to adopt the recommended next steps; members volunteered or identified candidates for the task force and asked staff to schedule the presentations as soon as 2026 rates are available. Officials stressed a quick timeline: the 2026 rates were expected in October and the town needs to complete any enrollment changes before the November open-enrollment window.

No final coverage change was made at the meeting; the vote authorized the outreach, presentations and formation of a short-term task force to prepare options and financial impacts for later Select Board action.","Following budget committee and fire-department discussions, the Select Board approved a plan to schedule HealthTrust and a benefits consultant for presentations, then form a task force (select board, budget committee and department heads) to evaluate 2026 health-plan options and produce a financial-impact summary before open enrollment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Brentwood select board asks departments for itemized budget backup, sets level-funding as policy goal

Brentwood treasurer tells select board $111,704 in impact fees collected this year; $97,000 distributed

Select Board to appoint alternate to fill Recreation Commission vacancy; approves Halloween trick-or-treat and asks staff to inspect bleachers

Select Board approves single rate-of-pay form requiring employee, supervisor and board signatures

Select Board approves health-insurance review steps and task force to assess HealthTrust vs. direct Anthem coverage