Select board narrows budget gaps, agrees to bridge Ray Center with $30,000 from contingency

The Waterville Valley Select Board met March 18 to work through remaining gaps in the 2026 operating budget and tentatively agreed to bridge short‑term funding for the Ray Center.

Chair Richard opened the meeting and prioritized the operating budget so staff and members could work through outstanding questions. Finance staff presented two alternate budgets that differ primarily on how the town manager position is funded — a 9‑month salary scenario and an 8‑month scenario that reduces costs by about $26,000. Board members said they prefer starting with the 9‑month scenario while keeping the 8‑month plan as a contingency if the candidate’s start date changes.

The board walked through dozens of line items, seeking roughly $20,000–$30,000 more in cuts to reach the Department of Revenue ceiling. Proposed reductions included trimming town meeting expenses, library operating support, cemetery groundskeeping, and delaying certain capital or facility replacements. Staff noted the contingency line remains an important buffer for unanticipated repairs and service interruptions.

One of the session’s largest disputes centered on the Ray Center, which provides preschool and after‑school programming. A representative from the center and local business owners told the board the center supports families who in turn sustain local businesses and school enrollment. “The $30,000 is a small drop in the budget,” said the center’s advocate, arguing loss of the program would reduce young families moving to the valley and depress local commerce.

Chief among the board’s concerns was a lack of current, line‑by‑line Ray Center financials. Several members asked the center to provide a detailed operating budget before the board commits to a longer‑term funding solution. In the interim, the board agreed in principle to move $30,000 from the town’s contingency fund to bridge the Ray Center through the next fiscal year, with the understanding the town will revisit the item at next year’s town meeting and seek greater transparency from the nonprofit.

Other notable budget topics included increasing costs for road salt (staff warned of higher market prices and possible supply shortages), a discussion about delaying a planned server replacement if the town can complete a cloud migration, and debates over small line items such as special‑event costs and recreation program fees.

The board set a special select‑board meeting for March 23 at 6:00 p.m. to finalize the last ~$24,000–$30,000 in adjustments and file budget materials with the Department of Revenue. Staff were directed to prepare a balanced worksheet (the board said it would favor the 9‑month manager scenario if the candidate start date supports it) and to request the Ray Center’s detailed financial statements as a condition of continued town support.

The board emphasized that the contingency and capital reserve accounts remain the primary mechanisms to bridge shortfalls this year and that more structural changes or revolving‑fund solutions would require town‑meeting or warrant‑article action next year.