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Jaffrey Budget Committee tentatively approves departmental budgets; $435,000 in reserves to offset taxes
Summary
The Budget Committee gave tentative approval to routine departmental budgets and highlighted major changes including a 37.6% increase in the Water Fund, an unchanged rate plan for customers, and a $435,000 revenue offset; public hearing set for Feb. 7.
The Jaffrey Budget Committee convened on Jan. 10 and tentatively approved the town’s departmental budgets, with officials saying the town will again use $435,000 in reserves to reduce the tax impact for 2026.
Committee members recorded tentative approvals across nearly all departments after staff reviewed 2026 changes. The Water Fund showed the largest single increase: a proposed rise of $488,094, or 37.6 percent, driven in part by a new GIS/IT manager position and ongoing Turnpike Well treatment-plant construction. The meeting record states there will be no rate changes for 2026.
Sewer spending decreased by $15,820 (about 0.7 percent), although committee members noted several line-item shifts including a $35,989 increase to cover Veolia contract costs and a $51,780 decrease in debt service following paydowns. Finance staff referenced a 10-year rate forecast for wastewater rates.
Other departmental highlights included a 16.2 percent rise in the Finance budget tied to salaries and the addition of an IT/Web/GIS manager; a roughly 5 percent increase for library staffing after hiring a Youth Services Librarian; and a modest rise in the Fire Department budget to cover salaries, protective clothing and physicals. Police department leaders noted they remain down three officers.
The committee reviewed capital and CRF priorities: sidewalks will be paid from CRFs, and the town plans to move funds into a road-paving account as debt is retired. Cemetery officials reported an estimated $90,000 tree-removal need at Conant Cemetery and said staff will pursue arbor-grant options.
Warrant articles were previewed but not finalized. Committee members discussed an Ambulance EFT for $40,000, the Police collective-bargaining agreement and a proposed $3 million bond for a fire station expansion; final votes on warrant articles will be taken at a later BudCom meeting.
A public budget hearing was scheduled for Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. at the Fire Station. The meeting record shows most departmental budgets were tentatively approved by unanimous recorded votes, with a few abstentions noted on non-budget procedural votes.
