The Plaistow Budget Committee on Jan. 7 recommended two warrant articles that the committee said will not raise taxes directly: a $25,000 deposit into a cell‑tower maintenance capital reserve fund and a $50,000 appropriation to begin funding a full‑time communications specialist at town hall.

Committee members said both items will be paid from available town funds rather than new taxation. The $25,000 is to be transferred from the general fund unassigned fund balance; the $50,000 represents partial-year/startup wages and roll‑up costs toward an estimated $100,000 annual cost if the position is filled.

The cell‑tower deposit (warrant article P‑25‑18) was discussed briefly. Greg Colby, town manager, described how the money was generated: "We negotiated a lease agreement with a 4th carrier on the tower. As part of that negotiation, I inserted a paragraph for 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 was collected in March or April 2024 and is being routed through the general fund before the committee approves the transfer into the capital reserve.

A motion to recommend the $25,000 deposit was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was given in the meeting minutes.

The communications specialist warrant article (P‑25‑19) drew more questions about duties and cost. Committee members were told the position would be a single full‑time role, intended to help all committees and departments with public notices, Right‑to‑Know postings and other communications tasks. The budget packet presented to the committee lists the estimated annual cost at $100,000; the warrant asks to raise $50,000 at this meeting as a partial-year/startup appropriation. On staffing level and hours, Colby said, "It would be a full time position." He also explained the $50,000 request covers wages and "roll up costs such as taxes, insurance, and retirement." Asked about hourly wage guidance, Colby said the range under consideration was "probably $20‑$25 an hour," and that health insurance could add "as much as $25 or $34,000 for a family plan." He said no additional office space is expected to be required; the town would use existing desks or allow some remote work.

A motion to recommend the $50,000 article was made, seconded, and approved by voice vote; no recorded roll‑call tally was provided in the transcript.

Both measures were presented and decided during the committee's regular meeting; committee members noted that if a warrant article failed at town meeting, the town would not fill the position or make the deposit.