Peterborough Town Meeting 2025: Article 3 – Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

The Annual Town Meeting in Peterborough, New Hampshire, is a vital event where residents shape the town’s financial and operational future. On May 13, 2025, at the Town House Upper Hall (1 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458), the second session of the 2025 Town Meeting will address Article 3: Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, proposing a budget of $19,047,184 for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Let’s break down this budget, its key allocations, and what it means for the community.

Overview of Article 3

Article 3 seeks to raise and appropriate $19,047,184 to support General Municipal, Water, and Wastewater Operations for FY 2026. This budget does not include appropriations from special or individual articles, which are addressed separately in the warrant (e.g., Articles 4-18). Both the Select Board and the Budget Committee unanimously recommend this appropriation, with votes of 3-0 and 8-0, respectively, reflecting strong confidence in the proposed plan.

Budget Breakdown

The proposed budget, detailed in the MS-636 Proposed Budget document, allocates funds across various categories to ensure the town’s operations run smoothly. Here’s a summary of the key areas of expenditure for FY 2026:

• General Government: $3,956,407
  This category includes essential administrative functions such as:
  • Executive ($284,880): Town leadership and management.
  • Financial Administration ($486,780): Budget oversight and accounting.
  • Planning and Zoning ($327,808): Development and land-use planning.
  • Insurance Not Otherwise Allocated ($1,551,388): Covers town-wide insurance needs.
• Public Safety: $5,840,117
  A significant portion of the budget ensures the safety of residents:
  • Police ($2,722,996): Law enforcement services, showing an increase from $2,537,492 in FY 2025.
  • Ambulances ($2,251,987): Emergency medical services.
  • Fire ($842,424): Firefighting and prevention services.
  • Emergency Management ($22,710): Disaster preparedness and response.
• Highways and Streets: $2,214,692
  This category maintains the town’s infrastructure:
  • Highways and Streets ($805,593): Road maintenance and repairs.
  • Other Highway, Streets, and Bridges ($1,108,056): Additional infrastructure support.
  • Street Lighting ($23,809): Ensuring well-lit public spaces.
• Sanitation: $431,073
  Covers waste management:
  • Solid Waste Collection ($353,873): Trash pickup services.
  • Solid Waste Disposal ($5,200): Waste processing.
  • Solid Waste Facilities Clean-Up ($72,000): Maintaining sanitation facilities.
• Culture and Recreation: $1,399,530
  Enhances community life:
  • Parks and Recreation ($623,487): Programs and facilities like Adams Pool.
  • Library ($765,043): Support for the Peterborough Town Library.
  • Patriotic Purposes ($10,000): Community events and celebrations.
• Debt Service: $1,894,785
  Manages the town’s financial obligations:
  • Principal – Long Term Bonds, Notes, and Other Debt ($1,167,128).
  • Interest – Long Term Bonds, Notes, and Other Debt ($727,657).
• Operating Transfers Out: $3,164,555
  Funds transferred to proprietary funds:
  • Sewer Proprietary Fund ($1,719,141): Wastewater operations.
  • Water Proprietary Fund ($1,445,414): Water services.

Revenue and Tax Impact

The total appropriations for FY 2026, including special warrant articles, amount to $23,557,513. However, estimated revenues and credits of $11,364,181 (from sources like motor vehicle permit fees, state grants, and interfund transfers) offset some of the costs. This leaves an estimated $12,193,332 to be raised through taxes, a figure residents should consider when evaluating the budget’s impact on property taxes.

Why It Matters

The $19,047,184 budget supports critical services that keep Peterborough running, from public safety to infrastructure maintenance and community programs. Public Safety, the largest category at $5,840,117, reflects the town’s priority on protecting its residents, while investments in Highways and Streets ensure safe and functional roads. The budget also balances fiscal responsibility, with reductions in areas like Sanitation (down from $527,805 in FY 2025 to $431,073) due to lower disposal costs.

How to Participate

The ballot session for Article 3 will occur on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Town House Upper Hall. Residents can vote on this budget and other articles. To prepare:

• Review the MS-636 Proposed Budget on the town’s website for a detailed breakdown.
• Attend the first session on April 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Town House to discuss the budget and related articles.
• Engage with town officials to understand how this budget impacts your taxes and services.

Get Involved

Article 3 is your chance to influence how Peterborough allocates its resources for the coming year. By voting on May 13, 2025, you help ensure the town continues to provide essential services while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Visit the Peterborough Town Clerk’s website for more details on the Town Meeting and warrant articles, and make your voice heard at the Town House Upper Hall!