Over the past year, the Bow Fire Department has experienced a number of personnel issues, and the resignations of call members have made it more challenging to fill shifts.

A 4.1% increase to the fire department’s proposed budget would add a part-time fire inspector and offset rising living expenses.

Bow residents will be asked to approve the town’s $12 million operating budget, which is a 0.5% increase over the current year, at the annual town meeting in March. If the budget is approved, it will lower the tax rate to $7.15, a 7 cent decrease.

Other major warrant articles on the town of Bow’s proposed budget are the reconstruction of the Page Road bridge and renovation of the next phase of the renovation of the municipal buildings. The funds for these projects will be withdrawn from the capital reserve fund. The public will be asked to decide whether to raise $925,000 to be added to the capital reserve fund to pay for these big-ticket projects at the town meeting.

Bow residents will also be asked to vote on a warrant article to purchase a police cruiser.

School budget

The Bow school district’s proposed operating budget for the year 2023-24 is $33.7 million, a 1.5% increase from the current year’s budget of $33.1 million. If the budget and warrant articles are approved, it would raise the local school tax to $16.63 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is an increase of $1.06, or about $370 more a year for a home worth $350,000.

Residents will also be asked to approve a $12.9 million warrant article that will be used to build, furnish, and equip eight more classrooms at the Bow elementary school.

Mark Zebra, a budget committee member explained that if the warrant article to build classrooms is approved, a $300,000 first-year payment will be made.

Additionally, residents will be asked to approve $72,000 to be added to the account for school capital improvements, $56,000 to the athletic fields and facilities capital reserve fund and $29,700 for the purchase of athletic fencing, track hurdles, and improvements to the track at Bow Memorial School.

The public will vote on the town warrant articles on March 15 at 6:30 p.m. and on March 16, at 6 p.m., on the school budget at the Bow High School auditorium, 55 Falcon Way.

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