Plaistow Budget Committee approves library and water budgets, sets Dec. 17 meeting

The Plaistow Budget Committee voted to approve the town library budget at $699,134 and the water department operating budget at $510,516 during a meeting that concluded at 6:44 p.m.

Committee members discussed the library budget as largely flat compared with last year, with payroll identified as the primary cost driver and a janitorial position moving from subcontracted labor to a salaried post; health-insurance costs were also noted to be higher. Speaker 3, a member of the budget committee, moved "I'll make a motion to pass the library budget at $699,134," and Speaker 4 seconded. Speaker 1 called the vote; the motion carried after an "Aye" vote was recorded.

On the water budget, Speaker 1 described a net $10,000 decrease from last year's proposed total, bringing the recommended operating budget to $510,516. Speaker 3 moved to approve the water department budget at $510,516, Speaker 4 seconded, and the committee voted in favor.

Members then reviewed proposed warrant articles that will go through the Board of Selectmen process. Speaker 2 summarized provisional items including the operating and water budgets, contingency fund, highway equipment deposit, a building expendable trust, a deposit to the library, energy capital, transportation infrastructure, a reserve capital fund deposit, apparatus capital improvement, cemetery funding, and Old Home Day among others; members estimated roughly 16–17 warrant articles once the recreation item is confirmed.

The committee asked that copies of warrant articles be circulated before the next meeting. Speaker 1 said they would follow up with Greg and requested that members receive the materials prior to reconvening. The committee set its next meeting for Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:44 p.m.

The record does not include a roll-call vote tally by individual member names for either budget; recorded votes were entered during the meeting as summarized above.