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Select Board hears budget presentation; projected tax-rate rise described as roughly 8%
Summary
Staff showed the working tax-rate impact (about $0.62 per $100 assessed value) and a board member summarized the year-over-year required tax increase at roughly 8% (approximately $204,000), driven largely by equipment reserves, hauling, fire service and debt service.
Presenter reviewed the tax-rate impact table and said the working grand list produces a roughly $0.62 tax rate, “which makes us about 4¢ higher than last year.” A member summarized the overall effect: "the year over year required increase in taxes would be 8%," attributing most of the change to added reserves, increased trash hauling, Champion Fire costs and debt service.
Board members probed reserve-account growth and asked for clearer long-term plans to show voters what reserve balances are intended for. Staff said the town maintains a capital and equipment plan and that part of the reserve increases are intended to smooth peaks and valleys when large, unpredictable purchases occur (for example, replacing a dump truck). The board discussed whether greater transparency about reserve use would reduce perceived tax pressure.
