With the cost of essentials like groceries, gas, and housing on the rise, town meeting season usually has taxpayers worrying about their budgets and what they might have to cut, but this year could hold a smaller hit for Bow residents.
After the initial budget review sessions, the Bow select board has proposed an operating budget to the Budget Committee that includes a small reduction in the town tax rate of 0.2%
“Let’s not pretend this is a 5% or 10% cut. It’s a modest cut, but it’s a cut nonetheless, in a time when inflation is sustained, and affordability is a real issue even in Bow,” said Kip McDaniel, select board chair.
When department heads first submitted their budget requests, the estimated municipal tax rate was projected at $4.91, representing a 6.2% increase over the current fiscal year.
After reviewing the proposals, the select board reduced funding in several areas, including the paving budget, amounts allocated for new hires in the police department, as well as some overtime, said McDaniel.
In 2025, voters approved an $11.8 million operating budget, which was a 3.2% increase. Residents will have a chance to approve or modify next year’s proposed budget at Town Meeting on March 11.
Like many municipalities, Bow’s largest expenses are personnel-related costs, including salaries, health insurance, and cost-of-living adjustments. According to the town manager’s report, these expenses account for 74% of the town’s operating budget.
The budget also includes funding for a new position in the fire department, which would be an administrative captain. The role is intended to manage overall operations such as budgeting, scheduling, documentation, and communication with town and state partners.
The position will allow the fire chief and line officers to focus more on emergency operations and will also serve as the department’s public information officer.
“We will have further input, and that is a very important part of the process, because we are not perfect,” said McDaniel. “As the chair of the board, I’m proud of where this ended up.”
Residents will also have the opportunity to vote for candidates for municipal office on March 10. There are two open seats on the School Board and one open position on the Board of Selectmen.
The candidate filing period for the election opens on January 21 and ends on January 30.