At the Dec. 23 meeting, the Swanzey Board of Selectmen approved several operational budget items and one encumbrance for immediate public-works needs.

The board voted to accept $825 in unanticipated revenue: $525 designated to the Conservation Fund (in memory of Wally Smith) and $300 to the First Responders Assistance Unrestricted Trust. "I move to accept the unanticipated revenue... for a total amount of $825," a member said; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

On a separate item, town staff reported an overage on guardrail work for the Weber Hill project and damaged guardrails on Hale Hill Road, estimating combined costs of $35,000 and seeking to encumber that amount from the current DPW budget so it would not be taken from next year’s funds. A motion to encumber $35,000 was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.

During budget discussion staff reported the assessor adjustment increased the proposed budget by $9,185, to a proposed total of $8,000,008.62, described in staff materials as a 5.88% increase and still below the default. Selectmen reviewed merit-increase options provided by staff and, by consensus, agreed to apply a 2% merit adjustment pending final budget numbers to be presented at the next meeting.

Town staff will incorporate these decisions into the draft budget documents for the board’s next meeting and provide follow-up detail on expendable trust balances and CIP funds referenced during the warrant review.