Greenfield Selectboard previews 2026 budget, flags rising ambulance costs and plans to host regional prosecutor program

On Jan. 7, 2026, the Greenfield Selectboard met for an informational session on the town’s proposed 2026 budget, highlighting a large increase in the ambulance line, plans to host a regional prosecutor program at the police station, and other department-level changes ahead of a formal budget hearing set for Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meeting House.

Chairman Tom Bascom said the board aims to keep overall increases close to the rate of inflation (noted as 3% at year-end 2025) but identified several budget items driven by external factors. The Ambulance budget is proposed to rise from $106,042 to $156,596, an increase the board attributed to changes in billing law, a need for new equipment including cardio-monitors, and the addition of a full-time position.

The board described a change in the Department of Public Works budget that would add a full-time groundskeeper and move funds previously paid to a seasonal contractor into DPW. The rationale presented was that seven months of contractor expense is roughly equivalent to a 12-month full-time salary while providing year-round productivity.

Fire Department spending was increased to cover additional vehicle repair and radio maintenance. Selectboard members said select capital reserve funds were raised: the Police Vehicle CRF was increased because cruiser costs have climbed and lower-cost models are being phased out, and the Recycling CRF was raised because prior savings were judged insufficient to replace equipment in the event of failure. The Library budget was noted to have decreased; Library Trustee Chair Andra Hall addressed the board on that item.

The Police budget was increased to preserve staffing levels. Chief Shea explained that Greenfield will host the Monadnock Regional Prosecution Program in the police station and that the town will bill three other member communities to cover staff and program expenses, a change the board said will provide proximity benefits for the department.

A debate surfaced about wage transparency in town reporting: Andra Hall said she prefers listing department head wages in the annual town report to increase transparency, while an employee at the meeting objected to publishing individual wages. The chair said the board would take that feedback under advisement as it looks to shorten the warrant.

The board reported the Welfare budget was reduced based on revised recipient estimates; the discussion did not specify dollar amounts for that change. Other increases were tied to higher subscription IT costs and a one-time insurance-provider charge that overspent the benefits line in 2025, which the chair attributed to a State Law assessment process.

The Selectboard set a date for the formal town budget hearing on Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Meeting House and authorized the purchase of new chairs for the renovated meeting room; the transcript does not show a roll-call vote on those items. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. after a motion by Selectman George Rainier, seconded by Selectman Michael Borden, which the minutes show carried 3-0.

Next steps: the Selectboard will consider public feedback on wage reporting and finalize warrant articles ahead of the Feb. 4 hearing.