Jeanie Forrester: Meredith Selectboard hears about department increases ahead of budget workshops

In their Oct. 29 meeting, the Meredith Selectboard was presented with high level overviews of the 2025 budget from department heads in Fire, Police, DPW, Parks & Recreation, Water & Sewer, and Assessing. They also heard from the town clerk and the Meredith Public Library.

Most departments are looking to increase their budgets relative to routine maintenance and operations. Some departments will be asking for equipment replacements, additional part-time staff, and wage adjustments. These requests are preliminary and will receive considerable scrutiny over the next few weeks. As such, the comments below are brief.

Fire Department: At last year’s Town Meeting, the residents voted to approve spending for six full-time firefighters and a part-time administrative assistant at a cost of $580,000 for eight months (May-December 2024). The 2025 budget expense for this line will increase to recognize a full year of wages and benefits. To date, the Fire Department has been successful hiring the part-time position and two new firefighters. In addition, the fire chief requested a $7/hour increase for the 22 call firefighters plus an additional 10 per diems.

Police Department: The department will seek increases for dispatch activities, the taser contract, prosecutorial services and cleaning services at a cost of approximately $61,000. Additionally, wage increases, and two police cruisers are being requested.

Department of Public Works: Requests include one part-time position to fill the front desk receptionist position that has remained vacant in 2024, wage adjustments and equipment replacements to include an excavator and small van. Also, the director noted there will be increases in trash tipping and transportation fees in 2025.

Parks & Recreation Department: Requested spending for 2025 includes a $100,000 addition to the Facility Improvement ETF, an increase of one part-time staff person, maintenance expenses for parking lots, fencing, a new barrier net in Upper Prescott Park and a new truck. Also requested are new tennis court lights.

Water & Sewer Department: A number of small upgrades and maintenance items will be required with the biggest impact on the budget being a 15% increase in the Winnipesaukee River Basin Program. The state-owned sewer system serves portions of the New Hampshire Lakes Region communities of Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Gilford, Meredith, Laconia, Belmont, Sanbornton, Northfield, Tilton and Franklin.

Assessing Department: A modest increase in operations cost will occur due to software services and additional mapping capability.

Town Clerk: The budget will decrease slightly in 2025 as there will only be one election versus the four elections we experienced in 2024.

Meredith Public Library: The trustees of the library are requesting an increase of $13,060 in the next budget to include $1,060 in longevity expense (e.g., employees are rewarded for length of service), $2,000 to cover increases in downloadable/e-book collections and a $10,000 increase in janitorial services and facilities maintenance.

There will be a public workshop on Monday, Nov. 25, for a budget overview and highlights from the director of administrative services. Budget Workshops are scheduled for Dec. 2, 4 and 5 (if needed). Residents are encouraged to attend.

Other business included the approval of a granite bench in Clough Park and authorizing the interim town manager to apply for a grant to conduct a cybersecurity assessment of the water and/or wastewater treatment plant systems.

The next selectboard meeting will be on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

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Jeanie Forrester is vice chair of the Meredith Selectboard.