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Alton Select Board approves water‑rate hike, $400,000 chip‑seal deal and revised 2026 budget
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Summary
At a regular meeting, the Alton Select Board approved a multi‑year water‑rate schedule, authorized a not‑to‑exceed $400,000 contract with Allstate Construction for rubber asphalt chip sealing and accepted a revised 2026 budget that restores $90,000 to retain a third full‑time firefighter.
The Alton Select Board on Monday voted to adopt a schedule of water‑service rate increases, authorized a capped contract for a proprietary rubber asphalt chip‑seal program and accepted a revised operating budget for 2026 that includes $90,000 to preserve an additional full‑time firefighter position.
The board voted to adopt the water department increases as presented in the packet; the 2026 quarterly base would begin at $143 and the change also affects volumetric charges above 1,000 cubic feet as shown in the spreadsheet posted with meeting materials. The motion to adopt the increases was moved and seconded and the board voiced its approval.
On roads, the board authorized the public works director to enter into a contract with Allstate Construction not to exceed $400,000 and waived the typical three‑bid requirement, citing the supplier’s proprietary product and limited local availability. Public works staff said the firm’s estimate for about 5.02 miles of chip sealing was approximately $370,002.45 and that the treatment is expected to extend pavement life by roughly seven to 10 years.
Town staff presented a revised operating budget after the budget committee recommended restoring $90,000 to retain one of four full‑time firefighter positions; the board voted to accept the modified budget, bringing the operating total to $10,222,064. The $90,000 allocation was described in the packet as covering wages, benefits, retirement and projected overtime for the retained position.
Other actions taken included extending special‑election voting hours on a June ballot from the previously proposed 7 a.m.–3 p.m. window to 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; authorizing the swap shop to operate for another season; and procedural approvals of minutes and the consent agenda.
Votes at a glance
- Water‑rate schedule (2026–2029) — motion adopted; specific per‑quarter and volumetric increases referenced in the packet spreadsheet. Funding/implementation: utility billing. Outcome: approved.
- Allstate Construction contract and bid waiver — motion to authorize the public works director to execute a contract not to exceed $400,000 with payment from the Highway Road Reconstruction Capital Reserve Fund; board approved. Outcome: approved.
- Revised 2026 operating budget — added $90,000 to retain a full‑time firefighter position; new total $10,222,064; board approved. Outcome: approved.
- Change special‑election voting hours (June) to 7AM–7PM — board approved. Outcome: approved.
What’s next
Staff said the water‑rate spreadsheet will be posted on the town website for reference. The Allstate contract will be executed by the public works director using reserve funds; the budget will be included on the warrant as required. The board also indicated follow‑up on a separate matter related to a clearing at the Hidden Springs parcel (see separate article).
