Budget committee candidates and residents spar over taxes, transparency and legal costs

Candidates for the budget committee and residents discussed how town revenues and spending are reviewed, what the budget committee can do and who ultimately decides tax increases.

Multiple speakers emphasized that the budget committee recommends a budget and does not set tax rates. Bobby Robes (budget committee candidate) said: “Everybody thinks the budget committee has control of the purse strings. We only recommend.” Edwina (statement read aloud) summarized the committee’s duty, quoting RSA 32 to explain the committee’s advisory role: “Budget committee members have no authority to act on their own. All official action must be conducted through a forum of the committee.”

Residents criticized apparent increases in legal expenses and asked why the town’s legal fees have risen. Candidate Steven Brown linked higher legal costs to disputes and said legal fees “have significantly increased because of it.” Multiple panelists urged residents to attend town meeting and vote on warrant articles if they want spending changed.

Discussion also referenced the town’s unassigned fund balance and how it is used. Kyle Copeland told the audience the town has an “unassigned fund balance of $2,700,000,” and candidates said preserving a reserve can reduce the need for sudden tax increases. Robert Bowie and others said the town’s budget rose recently by about 2 percent, and residents pressed candidates to explain what line items could be cut.

Why it matters: The budget committee reviews requests from departments and community organizations and presents recommendations to voters at town meeting. Understanding the committee’s role and where spending decisions are finalized helps voters decide how to act at town meeting or in elections.