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Stratford selectboard approves departmental budgets; clerk flags election tablet costs
Summary
The selectboard approved multiple departmental budgets, including election funding that anticipates three 2026 elections and mandated handicap-accessible voting tablets. Town Clerk Maryann Lister noted compliance requirements and limited enforcement capacity for dog licensing.
The Town of Stratford Selectboard on Dec. 15 approved departmental budgets and heard staff concerns about rising election costs and administrative limits on enforcement.
Town Clerk Maryann Lister told the board the payroll structure has been adjusted to increase transparency and that the election budget reflects funding for three elections in 2026. She said the town must budget for mandated handicap-accessible voting tablets even though the devices are rarely used and recommended the clerk’s office monitor tablet billing closely. The board approved the related budget items by a 3-0 vote.
Lister also outlined the town’s dog-licensing policy and said enforcement capacity is limited; she urged continued public reminders about licensing deadlines rather than promising expanded enforcement. The transcript did not specify any new enforcement measures.
Selectboard members approved other routine budget items, including modest increases for the library and recycling accounts tied to specific program needs and fee increases. The meeting record shows library and recycling budgets were approved 3-0.
