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Woodstock approves $5.82 million operating budget and dozens of capital reserve articles
Summary
Residents approved the budget recommended by the select board and budget committee ($5,822,848) and passed multiple capital‑reserve appropriations and new reserve funds, including a new vehicle‑maintenance reserve and several public‑safety and infrastructure funds.
Woodstock voters accepted the operating budget recommended by the budget committee and the Select Board — $5,822,848 — by voice vote. Town officials explained the figure and fielded resident questions about prior‑year turnbacks: officials said about 22.5% was returned to the general fund last year and walked through line‑by‑line reasons (personnel savings, paused programs, delayed capital projects and grant timing).
At one point a resident raised concerns about the town audit, citing language that the financial statements “do not present fairly” the town’s position due to an adverse paragraph tied to GASB 75 (reporting of other post‑employment benefit liabilities). A town official explained the adverse paragraph results from not completing the actuarial valuation required under GASB 75, estimated that an actuarial study would cost roughly $15,000, and said the town has historically declined to spend that amount because the number of employees receiving retiree health benefits is very small and much of the benefit administration is handled through the New Hampshire retirement system.
The meeting also approved a long sequence of capital reserve articles (examples: $250,000 to the water department capital reserve, $25,000 to the community center reserve, $75,000 to paving, $85,000 to the fire department equipment reserve, and $75,000 to highway heavy‑equipment reserve). Article 24 established a new vehicle‑maintenance capital reserve fund (RSA 35:1) with an initial $10,000 to cover major unexpected vehicle repairs or replacement costs; officials said this fund would be used for maintenance‑level unexpected expenses rather than routine operational items.
Most warrant articles were carried by unanimous voice vote; the meeting used repeated motions to restrict reconsideration after blocks of articles. Officials closed the meeting with recognitions (a 50‑year library trustee milestone) and reminders about upcoming school and statewide election dates.
Ending note: the meeting adjourned after completing the warrant and the ballot tabulation for Article 2.
