Ossipee selectmen approve operating budget, paving and multiple CRF deposits

The Ossipee Board of Selectmen on Oct. 20 approved the town operating worksheets and a package of capital appropriations and CRF deposits needed to fund paving, building maintenance, highway equipment and other planned projects.

Selectmen highlighted a modest operating increase driven largely by rising computer maintenance and licensing costs as the county and local agencies upgrade to the IMC ProSuite dispatch/reporting platform. The board advanced a slate of warrant‑scale CRF deposits and one‑time projects intended to spread large purchases across multiple years and limit year‑to‑year spikes in taxpayer demand.

Approvals included a $10,000 library CRF deposit; $600,000 for paving; $100,000 to a government building ETF for lobby, stairs, electrical and bathroom upgrades; a $200,000 highway equipment CRF (on a 10‑year replacement plan); a $100,000 bridge ETF; a $20,000 benefit‑pay ETF for retiree payout obligations; $80,000 to pave the police station parking lot; a $20,000 recreation ETF; a $20,000 technology ETF; a $60,000 revaluation ETF; and a $45,000 replacement truck for the building and zoning department. Each motion carried on roll call (selectmen present voted yes except where recusal is recorded).

Matt, the town administrator, told the board he had trimmed areas of the operating proposal and kept the overall increase to an approximate mid‑single‑digit percentage by using ETF funding and reducing some part‑time payroll lines. "We really worked hard to keep this almost flat," he said, noting two positions remain part‑time with savings to the operating budget if they stay part‑time.

Board members flagged the computer/dispatch costs — which influence multiple department budgets — as a primary driver of increases. The police and dispatch upgrade requires new licenses and equipment; the board approved larger computer‑maintenance lines to accommodate those quotes as agencies transition to the county's new CAD and cloud services.

Selectmen emphasized the CRF approach is meant to stabilize large capital purchases (paving, bridges, heavy equipment) so townspeople see steady funding rather than abrupt spikes.

Votes at a glance (motions approved during the meeting): - Library CRF deposit: $10,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Paving appropriation: $600,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Government building ETF: $100,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Highway equipment CRF: $200,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Bridge ETF: $100,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Benefit‑pay ETF: $20,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Police station parking lot paving: $80,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Recreation ETF: $20,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Technology ETF: $20,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Revaluation ETF: $60,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes. - Building and zoning truck: $45,000 — vote: unanimous roll call yes.

The board also approved required audit and reporting documents and revenue projections for the coming fiscal year (MS‑5/DRA reporting forms).

The meeting record shows selectmen discussed affordability concerns and the need to balance long‑term infrastructure needs with present‑day tax pressure. Several members said CRFs help smooth replacements and long‑term maintenance costs; one member cautioned that continued inflation in construction and materials may still require future adjustments.