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Londonderry treasurer outlines budget needs; board weighs new maintenance hire and smaller reserve contributions
Summary
Town Treasurer Tina Labeau presented budget figures showing the municipal budget requires ‘‘raising just over $1.6 million in taxes,’’ an estimate she said would translate roughly to a 7‑cent municipal rate increase; the Selectboard is also weighing a proposed full‑time buildings/highways maintenance post and one‑year reserve contribution reductions to keep tax pressure lower.
Town Treasurer Tina Labeau told the Selectboard the draft municipal budget for the next year ‘‘requires raising just over $1.6 million in taxes, and a rough calculation would amount to a tax increase of 7 cents on the municipal rate,’’ explaining a $100,000 home would see about an additional $73. She reviewed major drivers — transfer‑station hauling, highway equipment, NEMRC software costs and proposed new assessment staffing — and answered board questions on potential savings and tradeoffs.
Faced with a tight revenue outlook, the board asked departments to keep proposed increases to a minimum and discussed targeted reductions. Selectboard members and staff discussed a proposal to add a new full‑time position shared between the Highway Department and buildings/grounds to address deferred maintenance and to reduce outsourcing. The Selectboard also discussed temporarily cutting contributions to the highway‑equipment and building capital reserve funds to limit a tax spike, while keeping infrastructure projects on the watch list. Labeau and the Selectboard agreed to finish a balanced FY2022 budget in January and present a warning to voters at Town Meeting once final decisions and procurement needs are resolved.
