Plaistow Budget Committee backs $25,000 cell-tower reserve and funds start of communications specialist position

The Plaistow Budget Committee on Monday voted to recommend two warrant articles for the town meeting: a $25,000 deposit into the town's cell-tower maintenance capital reserve fund and a $50,000 initial appropriation to establish a full-time communications specialist at town hall.

Committee members said the $25,000 deposit represents a portion of a one-time payment the town received when a fourth carrier signed a lease on the municipal cell tower. Greg Colby said the lease negotiation included “a $30,000 payment to help cover costs and maintenance. I've held back $5,000 towards legal fees and the like, and the balance of it's going into the trust fund for future maintenance.” Colby said the payment had been received in March or April 2024. The committee recommended Article P-25-18 to raise and appropriate $25,000 to the previously established cell tower maintenance capital reserve fund; the money will come from the general fund unassigned fund balance. The motion to recommend passed with all members present voting in the affirmative.

The committee also recommended Article P-25-19, an initial $50,000 appropriation to establish a communications specialist position. Members described the role as a full-time position that would handle public postings, right-to-know requests, and communications support across departments. Colby said the annual cost for the position is estimated at about $100,000 when wages and benefits are fully annualized; the $50,000 requested on the warrant is the first-year appropriation. Committee discussion noted the town has fewer employees than it did 20 years ago and described the position as a cross-trained, single-person role rather than multiple hires. Committee members voted to recommend the article; the motion passed with all members present voting aye.

Both recommendations were framed as transfers from the town's existing general-fund balance rather than new tax levies. Committee members asked for clarification that the cell-tower payment flowed into the general fund when received and is now being reassigned to the capital reserve fund by warrant article; Colby confirmed that procedure. On the communications position, members asked about hours and space; Colby said the job would be full time and that existing desk space in town hall would be used if needed.

The committee's recommendations will appear on the ballot or warrant at the town's deliberative session for voters to approve or reject.