Paul LaRochelle: Vote for budget at Alton special Town Election Saturday

Jun 5, 2026
Jun 5, 2026 Updated 2 hrs ago
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To The Daily Sun,

Alton voters should please remember to cast their vote on June 6, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Prospect Mountain High School for the revised Alton town operating budget.

Over the last three consecutive years Alton has had a default budget.

This year, the board of selectmen decided to hold a special Town Election to consider a revised operating budget. The revised operating budget being proposed is: $10.2 million. This is an increase of $426,503 over the default budget of $9.8 million.

Should the revised budget pass, the new estimated municipal tax impact will be $4.53. This would only be an increase of $0.19 per $1,000 over the current municipal tax of $4.34. It is important to note that our municipal tax starts from zero every year.

With the $0.19 increase on the municipal tax rate, we will be able to provide the majority of the town employees with a pay increase that they have not seen in three years.

The fire department will be able to maintain full time coverage, the police department will be able to fill vacancies to include a school resource officer, and the department of public works will be able to properly staff their departments to maintain our roads, buildings and services.

We can accomplish this at a lower proposed increase by leaving five currently vacant positions unfilled. This will allow the town to retain employees that we currently have, fill other opened vacancies, and continue to provide the level of services our tax payers have come to expect.

Without this revised operating budget, services will become very difficult to maintain at the current levels. The town is trying their best to balance these issues on behalf of the whole community.

Hope readers will vote for the new revised budget.

Paul LaRochelle

Alton