Rising inflation, fueled by soaring prices at the pump, is forcing towns across New Hampshire to grapple with spending plans for the coming year. Chichester was among the towns that decided to forge ahead with increases rather than drastic cuts.
In about an hour, voters rolled out the red carpet for all 14 warrant articles. Not even a proposed $30,000 savings – due to a surprisingly low bid for a rotary construction project – was approved, dismissed by a 2-to-1 voice vote.
The $3.03 million operating budget passed quickly, a pattern throughout the entire meeting. The sum means a 5.7 percent tax increase.
“It all passed with very little discussion,” said Jason Weir, a select board member who did not run for another three-year term on Election Day. “The interest in cutting back wasn’t there. We expected more (discussion), and this certainly was very surprising.”
The highest appropriation request was the $558,196 to buy a demo pumper truck, which will replace the 1998 E-One pumper truck used by the town’s fire department.
Financing includes withdrawing $498,196 from the Fire Truck Capital Reserve Fund, with another $60,000 to be raised by general taxation, creating an approximate tax impact of $0.18.
Elsewhere, the town agreed to pay about $298,000 to buy a forestry vehicle for the fire department and other rescue personnel, with 95 percent, or $283,100, expected to come from a federal grant, and the rest, $14,900, to be withdrawn from the Forestry Truck Capital Reserve Fund. There’s no impact here on the tax rate.
Also, the $98,000 for a self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire and rescue departments will withdraw $35,000 from the SCBA Capital Reserve Fund, and the remaining $63,000 will come from general taxation.
And while those totals made it onto the town warrant and will be paid after nary a debate, the town had a chance to save after a bid came in at $260,000 for rotary construction, $70,000 less than officials had expected.
Tom Houle, a member of the budget committee, saw an opportunity to save money and proposed cutting the $30,000 from the budget. But an approximately 2-1 voice vote while preparing the warrant showed that Chichester residents were somewhat indifferent over the budget savings.
Legislative staff in Chichester will receive a six percent raise, nearly twice the amount usually given.
In other news, retiring Chichester Police Chief Pat Clarke was honored after 20 years of service.