Board outlines $35.9 million 2025 operating budget and potential tax impacts

Town manager Jim (presented materials) and the Board of Selectmen presented the proposed 2025 operating budget on Jan. 15, outlining a total operating request of $35,943,677 across general, water, electric, sewer and Pop Whelan funds. The general fund operating request totals $20,570,784 (an increase of $1,000,008 or 9.64% over the prior year as presented).

Town finance staff and the manager outlined major drivers: ambulance costs (now in operating budget), debt service related to the public safety building, personnel and nonunion wage adjustments, utility/power costs for public safety building operations, streets and highways spending, and some capital outlay items. The presentation noted a number of line items that together represent 91% of the increase, including a $501,047 increase for ambulance costs and $217,000 for streets/highways.

Revenue estimates used to offset taxation include motor vehicle registrations ($1.9M), rooms and meals tax ($629,000), municipal electric payment in lieu of taxes ($139,000), investment interest ($200,000) and other departmental revenues. After subtracting those estimates, the town would need to raise $15,478,603 by taxation under the proposed operating budget.

Tax‑rate example impacts supplied by staff show that if all warrant articles pass, the town portion of the tax rate could increase about $0.92 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which the manager illustrated as an estimated increase of $276 for a $300,000 home, $414 for a $400,000 home and $920 for a $1,000,000 property (town portion only; school and county not included).

The Board recommended the operating budget and indicated the Budget Committee will vote on the budget the following day. Selectmen asked residents to contact staff or department heads with questions before the March town meeting.