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Select Board previews 2026 draft budget, proposes funding Fire Tower repair from reserve
Summary
Town Administrator Emily Nolan reviewed the draft 2026 budget, announced a Feb. 10 budget hearing, and proposed using a $20,000 capital reserve to fund Fire Tower repairs to avoid a tax increase; Nolan also said a change in the town health insurance plan will reduce costs by about $73,000.
Town Administrator Emily Nolan presented an overview of the draft 2026 budget and town warrant and said the Budget Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cook Memorial Library. Nolan recommended that the estimated $20,000 needed for Fire Tower repairs come from the Town Buildings/Infrastructure Repair/Maintenance capital reserve fund so no additional tax funding would be required; Prentice noted last year’s engineering study identified repairs and that the Conservation Commission will oversee the forthcoming bid process.
Nolan also explained the town changed health insurance plans for 2026 and that the change resulted in an estimated $73,000 overall savings; she said the full plan cost is now shown in a single line rather than split among departments. The board discussed EV charging station planning and agreed to support the project if it has no tax impact; Nolan said the Energy Committee’s operating budget includes a line for EV charging that can be offset by user fees if grants do not cover costs. Nolan said budget documents and revenue/expenditure details will be posted on the town website before the hearing.
