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Boscawen voters approve $5.25 million municipal budget; residents voice tax concerns
Summary
At the March 13 annual meeting, Boscawen voters adopted a $5,249,857 general municipal budget that officials said trims some line items but reflects rising insurance, retirement and rescue squad costs; residents raised concerns about rising property taxes.
BOSCOWEN — Town voters on March 13 approved a $5,249,857 general municipal operating budget for 2026 after a discussion of rising personnel and service costs.
Selectwoman Lorrie J. Carey and Select Board Chair William R. Bevans explained that the budget reflects a mix of cuts and unavoidable increases, driven by higher health and property insurance, Medicare and retirement costs, solid‑waste tipping fees, and a larger request from Penacook Rescue Squad. Officials said the Rescue Squad requested an increase of about $190,000; a $50,000 grant from Merrimack County reduced the net new request to roughly $140,000.
The town report, officials said, shows an overall line‑item picture with a $36,000 decrease in some areas and a $48,000 increase in others, producing a net increase of about $12,000 from last year. Chair William R. Bevans warned that a sewer bond will begin next year and that some costs are outside local control.
Resident Diane F. Littlefield of 56 Forest Lane questioned how homeowners on fixed incomes would manage higher property taxes, asking, “How are they going to pay the exorbitant taxes?” Selectwoman Carey responded that limitations in the state tax system contribute to the difficulty and that the board is aware of the concern.
After discussion the meeting adopted the budget by voice vote. Following the vote, a motion to enact RSA 40:10 to restrict reconsideration of the article also passed by voice vote.
What happens next: The approved budget will be implemented for the 2026 municipal year; observers and several speakers flagged continued fiscal pressure from rising service and insurance costs and an upcoming sewer bond as items to watch in next year’s budget process.
