Goffstown officials warn default budget will force cuts to services, public safety

Goffstown’s Select Board heard a stark assessment on March 16 from department heads who said the town’s move to a default operating budget will force reductions that could affect public safety, maintenance and community programs.

The conversation began after staff reported that Article 9 (the operating budget) failed at town meeting, placing the town under the default procedures laid out in RSA 40:13. Town administrator-level staff and department heads told the board they had trimmed many nonessential lines but still face shortfalls in key areas.

“Right now we don’t see a way to move those steps forward,” Derek told the board, referring to proposed non-union step increases that are not included in the default budget. He asked the board whether to seek savings or consider a one-time bonus if funds become available later in the year.

Police Chief warned the default would reduce community policing activities and training, shrink overtime flexibility and could defer cruiser purchases. “We’ve cut everything out of the budget that I think is not a necessity,” the chief said, adding that events such as National Night Out and other outreach could be curtailed and that overtime pressures would remain a major concern.

The Fire Chief said he cut multiple lines to reach the default number but flagged critical safety risks: mandatory gear and SCBA sets are at or near end-of-life and replacing the identified sets would add roughly $25,000 beyond what default allows. He said reduced overtime and staffing could force station brownouts and two-person responses in some cases, and described the operational tradeoffs the department is already making.

Adam Jacobs, director of public works, briefed the board on the $450,000 road-plan special article voters approved and said he intends to protect road-plan funds from other uses unless the board directs otherwise. He also warned of uncertain costs that could erode available funds, including a likely 10–20% rise in asphalt prices this spring and the town’s share of bids on a 90/10 grant project that open this week.

Library and administrative reports identified smaller but material gaps: the library will reduce subscriptions and training (saving roughly $4,500) and still faces a shortfall on a CIP paving follow‑up; admin noted shortfalls in elections stipends, part‑time election wages and an unbudgeted $35,000 annual cost to host the town’s Munis software in the cloud for improved cybersecurity.

Board members and staff discussed two broad responses: (1) calling a special town meeting under RSA 40:13 to re-present a revised operating budget (staff estimated a special meeting could cost roughly $5,000–$10,000 depending on format), or (2) operating under default while pursuing targeted internal transfers and further cuts prioritized by department heads. The board asked department heads to produce prioritized lists of decision points and possible transfers for the next meeting.

Select Board member Richard Manzo urged urgency: “We’re losing critical services in this town,” he said, stressing the need to understand the cost and timelines of a special meeting. Moderators and staff agreed to prepare options and timeline guidance for the board’s next meeting.

Votes and administrative items taken during the meeting included election of Jim Craig as chair, adoption of the 2026–27 meeting schedule, designation of DPW Director Adam Jacobs as the signatory for a $30,000 DES stormwater grant, and scheduling a recount for town officers on Saturday at 10 a.m. The board later voted to enter non-public session under RSA 91‑A for employee compensation.

What’s next: staff will return with a prioritized list of potential budget transfers and an outline of how a special meeting would work, including timing, cost and statutory steps. The board indicated it will consider those options at its next regular meeting.