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Farmington selectmen approve $16,000 fireworks contract, advance budget to Budget Committee
Summary
At their Jan. 27 meeting the Farmington Board of Selectmen endorsed presenting the draft 2026 budget to the Budget Committee unchanged, authorized a $16,000 fireworks contract for Hay Day and agreed to move Hay Day downtown; staff will supply water/sewer rate recommendations and building studies for forthcoming review.
Vice Chairman Charlie King reconvened the Farmington Board of Selectmen’s public session at 6:07 p.m. on Jan. 27 after a series of non-public sessions. The board agreed to present the draft 2026 budget to the Budget Committee without changes at this time and asked staff to provide corrected front-sheet figures before that meeting.
Finance Administrator Kelly Heon told the board her working calculation put the draft budget increase just under 8 percent, while King referenced an 8.44 percent figure; with only three Selectmen present the board reached consensus to keep the draft as-is for the Budget Committee presentation. Heon said she will provide final 2025 revenue and expenditure figures and a recommendation on whether rates for water and sewer should change; she noted a public hearing is required if rates are adjusted and that the first billing occurs in early April.
Town Administrator Paul Sanderson said zoning warrant articles submitted by Planning Director Kyle Pimental have been uploaded to the town portal and that he will prepare draft language, including a possible Cemetery Association warrant article, for legal review and presentation to the Budget Committee.
Selectman Doug Staples raised concern that the landfill closure testing fund has historically been funded at $32,500 and expended annually; Heon said she will verify 2025 expenditures and suggested the line may need to be increased to about $35,000. The board gave consensus for staff to make that revision ahead of the Budget Committee meeting.
Sanderson reported he signed and returned a Strafford Regional Planning Commission contract so the Planning Director can receive the executed agreement. The board also approved two staff trainings: HR/Welfare Director Erica Dickie-Yelle to attend a one-and-a-half-day HR conference (estimated registration of about $300 plus hotel and related expenses) and Assessing Clerk Kara Devine to attend a one-day Department of Revenue Administration training (about $10–$20). Both motions passed unanimously.
Parks and Recreation Director Erica LaBombard’s Hay Day request was discussed; the board approved the event date, authorized LaBombard to enter a $16,000 fireworks contract (about $1,000 higher than last year’s price) and voted to move Hay Day back to the downtown area. Sanderson said the Recreation Director will continue to pursue sponsorships and bids; the fireworks contract motion passed 3-0.
Sanderson told the board the SRPC-funded studies of the current Town Hall and the old Town Hall were received and placed in the non-public folder for Selectmen review before public release. Selectmen also discussed road cleanup concerns raised by Ann Titus and the town’s weather-related office-closure policy; Titus asked the board to consider written guidance on storm closures, while other members preferred to revisit the matter when a full board and a new Town Administrator are in place.
The meeting closed after the board set its next meeting for Feb. 2, 2026, and adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Motion to accept Jan. 5 public minutes (King/Titus): passed 3-0. Motion to table non-public minutes until full board (King/Titus): passed 3-0. Motion to approve HR conference (King/Titus): passed 3-0. Motion to approve DRA training for Kara Devine (King/Titus): passed 3-0. Motion to authorize $16,000 fireworks contract (Staples/King): passed 3-0. Motion to move Hay Day downtown (Titus/Staples): passed 3-0. Motion to adjourn (King/Titus): passed 3-0.
