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Warner adopts $4,369,741 2023 operating budget after questions on debt and personnel costs
Summary
Warner voters approved a $4,369,741 operating budget for 2023 (voice vote). Questions from residents focused on a roughly $300,000 increase tied to loan payments, the handling of town deposits and FDIC limits, and salary/benefit increases for town staff.
The Warner Annual Town Meeting approved the 2023 municipal operating budget of $4,369,741 after discussion and a voice vote.
Moderator Ray Martin read Article 4 and town finance presenter Michael Cutting summarized the budget. When residents asked about a roughly $300,000 increase, Cutting said the change reflected interest and principal payments on a loan. "It was the interest and principle payment from the loan we borrowed," he said in response to James Gaffney’s question.
Residents also asked about town cash management and deposits. John McGilvery was told the town sweeps funds nightly to keep balances at Sugar River Bank under the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit. David Bates asked whether the town had profited from the municipal solar array or recycling; Cutting said the town generally breaks even on solar sales and that recycling revenue has fluctuated with market conditions.
Questions about personnel costs prompted discussion of a compensation package that includes a 3% cost-of-living increase and a 2% merit increase; Cutting said the policy goal is retaining employees. David Gray pressed why the Selectboard approved changes without bringing them to a town vote; Cutting and other presenters described the adjustments as part of personnel management and retention.
The Moderator read the article again, a motion to move the article was seconded, and Article 4 passed by voice vote with no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript.
