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Alton adopts 2026 default budget, approves fire and water budgets and accepts CIP plan
Summary
Selectmen voted Nov. 25 to approve the 2026 town default budget at $9,795,561, approved the fire department's 2026 budget at $1,326,135, adopted the water department default at $590,653, and accepted the CIP plan to be advanced as warrant articles.
At its Nov. 25 meeting the Alton Board of Select Committee approved several budget items and accepted the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for further action.
Fire budget: Fire Chief (S7) updated the wage line to reflect a proposed 4% adjustment and presented a 2026 request that was later adjusted to $1,326,135. Chair (S1) moved to approve the fire department 2026 budget at $1,326,135; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The chief and selectmen clarified that probationary employees would not receive the full 4% increase until they completed probation and that an ambulance revolving special-event line was removed prior to adoption.
Water default: Heath (S3) explained the water department default budget incorporates statutorily required changes (health insurance, dental, workers' compensation, property liability, FICA and Medicare) and recommended using last year's default with those adjustments, resulting in $590,653. Chair moved and the board approved the water department default budget.
Town default and CIP: Heath reviewed the town's operating/default budget, noting limited changes beyond election-related costs and legally required benefits and insurance adjustments (RSA 40:13 was cited). The board discussed a notable reduction in the FICA line caused by recalculation of vacant positions (the town had been down about nine positions earlier and was now about six to seven). Drew (S2) moved to accept the 2026 default budget at $9,795,561; the motion was seconded and approved. The board also voted to accept the CIP plan as presented; Heath said he will bring CIP items forward as warrant articles at the next meeting.
Votes and implementation: The actions taken were recorded as voice votes in the meeting transcript; no detailed roll-call tallies were given. Follow-up tasks include Heath and staff preparing warrant-article language to present CIP items at a future meeting and documenting implementation details for budgeted positions.
