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Colebrook sees police budget jump; resource officers to be 100% reimbursed by schools
Summary
The Selectboard outlined a $96,100 increase to the police budget driven by wages, benefits and retirement costs. The town plans to staff school resource officers in Colebrook and Stewartstown; the board said the two school districts will reimburse roughly $90,000 in wages and benefits.
The Colebrook Selectboard told residents on Feb. 4 that the police department budget for 2026 is increasing by about $96,100, driven largely by wage and benefit increases and higher property and liability insurance costs.
Selectboard member Sue Collins said the budget accounts for round-the-clock staffing and includes resource officer positions in Colebrook and Stewartstown schools. The board said the two school districts will reimburse the town for the resource officers' wages and benefits; the Selectboard noted approximately $90,000 in wages and benefits for those positions appears as an offsetting revenue item.
Grant-funded programs are also reflected in the police budget. Collins and staff described Stonegarden, Border Security and Highway Safety grants as having matched expense and revenue lines; Stonegarden was listed with expenses of about $40,528 and a corresponding revenue offset.
During questions from the public, Linda Yorke asked how many full-time officers the town employs. Tim Stevens, a staff member, replied, "we have four," and added that the police chief is not full-time.
The Selectboard said increases tied to wages, benefits, NH retirement and insurance are the primary reasons for the department’s larger 2026 budget.
