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Sanbornton panel backs $6.32 million FY27 operating budget after split on sand and salt cuts
Summary
The Budget Committee recommended a $6,317,568 FY27 operating budget on Jan. 22, citing a 7.9% increase driven by a 30% jump in medical insurance and added firefighter staffing; an amendment to restore $10,000 to road sand and salt lines failed.
The Sanbornton Budget Committee voted to recommend the town’s FY27 operating budget of $6,317,568 at a public hearing on Jan. 22 after a divided discussion over cuts to road maintenance sand and salt lines and rising benefits costs.
Chair Bob Silvia told attendees the proposed budget increases by $465,186, or 7.9%, from the prior year and that much of the rise is driven by a 30% increase in employee medical insurance. Fire Chief Paul Dexter said overtime in his department is “300% over for overtime a little more than halfway through the fiscal year,” and that the draft budget adds one firefighter to maintain existing shifts.
The debate centered on the Budget Committee’s decision to cut $5,000 from each of the Sand and Salt lines. Several residents, including Shauna and Sandra Goutier and Catharine Farkas, and Highway Department Director Johnny Van Tassel urged restoring the funds because of safety concerns and Van Tassel said his department is currently over those lines with several months of winter remaining. Mark Brown cited historical usage data provided to the committee showing average yearly underspends of $16,889 and $11,917 for the Sand and Salt lines, which the committee used in its deliberations.
"The Budget Committee is tasked with representing the taxpayer and looking at the data provided to make decisions," Chair Bob Silvia said during the hearing.
After public comment the committee moved to formal action. Joe Bodwell made the motion to recommend Article 1, the total operating budget of $6,317,568. Selectman Glenn Frederick offered an amendment to restore $5,000 to each of the Sand and Salt lines (raising the total to $6,327,568); the amendment failed 3-4-0 with votes recorded as Yes: Gagnon, Frederick, Backman; No: Rechcygl, Bodwell, Silvia, Brown. The original motion then passed 4-2-1 (Yes: Dennis Rechcygl, Joe Bodwell, Chair Bob Silvia, Mark Brown; No: Glenn Frederick, Christine Gagnon; Abstain: Denise Backman).
The public hearing closed at 8:15 p.m.; the committee’s recommendation will be reflected in warrant materials for voters to consider at town meeting. The Budget Committee adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
