The Board of Selectmen convened at the Town Hall on February 7th to conduct the annual
budget hearing the proposed 2024 town budget. The gathering, though lightly attended, drew
several department heads, concerned citizens, and representatives from various town boards.
Chairman Laufenberg opened the proceedings by outlining key themes underlying the budget
proposal. He noted a total budget increase of $301,000 compared to the previous year. Of this
increase, $249,000 was attributed to cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), salary revisions,
increased healthcare expenses, and increased state retirement obligations. Laufenberg further
highlighted noteworthy shifts within salary allocations, particularly in the Municipal Agent and
Tax Collector lines, stemming from the Board’s strategic decision to streamline administrative
roles.
Laufenberg continued the hearing by discussing the budget proposals department by department.
Discussions from the public ensued, notably concerning wage escalations within the Fire
Department. The fire chief explained that these included COLAs as well as salary adjustments
that account for advanced professional certifications for some employees, especially EMT staff.
Inquiries also probed the mechanics of recycling revenues at the Transfer Station, making clear
the essential role these revenues play in offsetting operational costs.
Further discussion arose during the review of the library budget. It appears the initial proposal
put forth by the library trustees included a request for a 10% increase in the librarian’s salary
during their initial consultation with the Board of Selectmen. However, subsequent deliberations
revealed that the proposed salary increase was adjusted to the 3% COLA for the year. This
adjustment reflected the Selectmen’s stance that the library trustees had not sufficiently justified
a salary increase above the cost of living. A further discussion ensued regarding the maintenance
portion of the budget. The selectman stated they would reconsider the salary and maintenance
lines for the library. In deliberations after the hearing, before the final approval of the budget the
BOS stayed firm on the 3% COLA increase for the librarian but did agree to increase the
maintenance budget by $1,000.
Chairman Laufenberg continued the budget review by discussing the Capital Reserve Funds
allocations for 2024. For the first time, a significant portion of capital reserve funds, amounting
to $160,000 out of the $300,000, is proposed to be drawn from the undesignated fund balance, as
opposed to being raised by taxation.
The hearing ended with a candid exchange regarding the town’s paving schedule, with a resident
from Starr Ridge Road advocating for immediate attention to their road. The Road Agent was
tasked with connecting with these residents to address their concerns and align priorities within
the paving agenda.