Brookfield Selectmen recommend revised MS‑636 and split bridge warrants; public hearing clears budget for town meeting

Brookfield — At a public hearing Jan. 8, town officials walked residents through a revised MS‑636 municipal budget form and a slate of warrant articles for the upcoming March town meeting, recommending several changes to the operating budget and to special articles for bridge work.

Chair opened the discussion by noting the most significant line‑item changes on page 2 of the MS‑636: a $22,000 increase in election registration/vital statistics to cover three elections this year; a $5,000 rise in legal expenses largely tied to planning; and roughly $23,000 to cover heating and air conditioning upgrades (mini‑split units) for municipal buildings. After removing a previously posted $200,000 capital outlay item, the operating budget bottom line dropped to an appropriation request of $1,581,282.

The public safety section drew questions about services the town purchases from Wakefield. Officials said Brookfield pays a population‑based share (12% in the current year, down from 13%), which covers police, fire and ambulance services; Brookfield also contributes a proportional share of Wakefield’s capital reserve contributions for vehicles and equipment.

The selectmen recommended leaving some capital reserves intact and instead authorizing two separate warrant articles that would withdraw funds from existing Moose Mountain capital reserve accounts to pay for design, permitting, bidding and engineering oversight for the Moose Mountain Bridge repair. The two articles read: (1) raise and appropriate $62,000 and authorize withdrawal of $62,000 from Moose Mountain Capital Reserve Fund #2 for engineering/design/repair work; (2) raise and appropriate $145,000 and authorize withdrawal of $145,000 from Moose Mountain Capital Reserve Fund #1 for the same purpose. Town staff said DRA advised keeping the reserve funds open and authorizing withdrawals rather than discontinuing the funds outright.

Officials said the engineering package is estimated at about $200,000 for design, permitting, bid documents and oversight, with the eventual construction cost to be determined by the bid process and likely funded by a bond if needed. "That number is around 200,000," said road agent Chris Kendall, referring to the engineering/design estimate.

After public questions and clarifications, the selectmen moved to approve the modified MS‑636 and to recommend the amended warrant articles. Both motions were seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting. The town will present the revised MS‑636 and the recommended warrant articles to voters at the March town meeting; any floor motions at that meeting can still change numbers or articles before they are final.

What’s next: The selectmen approved the revised budget form and recommended warrants; the town report and finalized warrant language will be posted ahead of the March town meeting where voters will decide on each article.