Resident challenges town default budget; Select Board staff cite statutory rules

Warrant Article 13, the Town of Hampton proposed operating budget for 2026, was presented with a proposed total of $38,236,520 and a default budget of $37,778,312. Resident Mr. Gorayeb asked detailed questions about what changes produced variances between the proposed and default budgets and whether collective bargaining agreements and long-term contracts had been properly accounted for in the default.

TM Sullivan responded that the default budget is set by the governing body (the Select Board) and defined by law as the prior year's budget plus or minus contractual items and legally required expenditures. Sullivan explained that warrant articles, collective bargaining agreements, and state/federal mandates (for example, wastewater treatment requirements) are included when required by law and that DRA (Department of Revenue Administration) forms document those changes. Mr. Gorayeb told the committee he believed some default categories appeared inflated and suggested corrections; Sullivan encouraged him to raise the matter before the Select Board or pursue legal recourse if he believes statutory requirements were not met.