Jeanie Forrester: Meredith Selectboard will set tax rate at Nov. 10 meeting

The Oct. 27 Meredith Selectboard agenda included presentations on a statewide housing award, a wastewater asset management plan, a request for funding a new nonprofit organization, distribution of the town manager’s 2026 budget proposal, and an update on deeded property sales.

Representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Business & Economic Affairs presented the selectboard with the Housing Champion Award. This award is given to communities that intentionally create an environment encouraging housing supply. Meredith was one of 10 communities to receive this award in the second round (there were 18 communities receiving Housing Champion awards in the first round). One of the benefits of receiving this designation is priority access to state agency grants.

Meredith’s Water and Sewer Department operates a municipal water supply and sewer collection system, serving over 1,200 customers, with 400 using sewer only. The system consists of approximately 17 miles of sewer mains, 230 manholes, over 1,400 sewer laterals, and five pumping stations. Our system is part of the state-owned Winnipesaukee River Basin Program, serving nine other Lakes Region communities with collection and transmission of sewage to a treatment plant in Franklin. Meredith’s share of the system expenses accounts for more than 50% of the town's sewer budget.

In 2024 the Water and Sewer Department was awarded a grant to study and prioritize the needs of infrastructure, repairs, and maintenance of the Sewer Department. As a result of that grant, a wastewater asset management plan was developed, outlining the future needs of the sewer department.

To meet the expenses of the current system operating, maintenance and reserves costs recommended in the plan, rates will need to be increased (last rate increase was in 2013). User and access fees are the primary revenue sources for these expenses. To protect the benefits all taxpayers receive from water and sewer services provided in the downtown area, long-term debt costs (infrastructure) are borne by both taxpayers, 31%, and water and sewer rate payers, 69%.

The report recommends increasing wastewater rates by 9% annually for the next eight years, to bring sewer rates to a level which meets projected revenue and reserve requirements of the department. Also recommended is the quarterly, non-metered flat rate (representing 20% of the total sewer accounts) be increased from $137.48 to $222.14 for a single-family home with annual residential water use of 90,000 gallons per year. Increasing this flat rate and indexing it to the proposed sewer rate increases more equitably, shares the true cost of service among metered and non-metered sewer customers. Water rates are facing similar shortfalls and will need to be increased as well. There will be a public hearing at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, on the proposed water and sewer rate change.

Family Promise of the Lakes Region, a new nonprofit with a mission to prevent homelessness and promote housing stability, requested $5,000 in 2026. This new program proposes to serve an estimated 100 clients in 13 communities, with up to 10 clients in Meredith. Funds will directly support case management, emergency financial assistance, and program operations. Priority will be given to low- and moderate-income families, families with children, and county residents. The program is not yet operational, and will launch services after funding needs are achieved.

The town manager’s proposed 2026 operating budget represents a 5.59% increase over 2025. Residents are encouraged to attend the two budget workshops, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, and 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Humiston Building on Main Street.

The town manager reported that disposal of multiple tax-deeded properties had a net yield of $460,801 back to the town ($513,555 received, with $52,754 returned to previous owners). The town does not profit from these sales, by law only back taxes, penalties, and interest are recovered.

The next meeting of the selectboard is Monday, Nov. 10, and the 2026 tax rate is expected to be set at that time.

The American Legion has organized a Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Meredith Public Library.

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Jeanie Forrester serves on the Meredith Selectboard.