The sample ballot for the Peterborough, New Hampshire Annual Town Election on May 13, 2025, includes elections for town officials, three zoning amendments, and several articles. Below is a concise summary of every item on the ballot, covering all amendments, and articles listed on the ballot.
Elections for Town Officials – see here
Zoning Amendments
Zoning Amendment 1:
Proposes repealing and replacing §245-15 Wetlands Protection Overlay Zone with a revised version, developed with the Conservation Commission. Changes are housekeeping (clarifications, removal of a confusing 5-foot no-disturbance zone) and do not add stricter regulations. Supported by the Planning Board (6:1).
Zoning Amendment 2:
Proposes rezoning Parcel No. U009-033-000 (75-77 Hancock Road) from Commercial District to Village Commercial District to ease housing restrictions (currently limited to low- and moderate-income levels), making the property easier to sell. Supported unanimously by the Planning Board (7:0).
Zoning Amendment 3:
Proposes amending §245-6 B1 to reduce the minimum lot size in the Family District from 40,000 sqft (single-family) and 50,000 sqft (duplexes) to 20,000 sqft for both, aligning with the General Residence District (§245-7 C1). Aims to increase housing options (especially duplexes), promote equity, and use land efficiently while maintaining neighborhood character. Supported by the Planning Board (5:2).
Articles
Article 3: Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 – $19,047,184
Proposes raising and appropriating $19,047,184 for General Municipal, Water, and Wastewater Operations for July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Excludes appropriations in special or individual articles. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 4: Pay-As-You-Throw Special Revenue Fund – $113,672
Proposes raising and appropriating $113,672 to operate and maintain the Pay-As-You-Throw program, funded entirely from the Pay-As-You-Throw Special Revenue Fund (no additional taxation). Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 5: Police Department Fleet Management Capital Reserve Fund – $125,000
Proposes raising and appropriating $125,000 for the previously established Police Department Fleet Management Capital Reserve Fund. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 6: Fleet Management Capital Reserve Fund – $300,000
Proposes raising and appropriating $300,000 for the previously established Fleet Management Capital Reserve Fund. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 7: Roadway System Upgrades Capital Reserve Fund – $400,000
Proposes raising and appropriating $400,000 for the previously established Roadway System Upgrades Capital Reserve Fund. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 8: Bridges, Culverts, and Dams Expendable Trust Fund – $400,000
Proposes raising and appropriating $400,000 for the previously established Bridges, Culverts, and Dams Expendable Trust Fund. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 9: Adams Pool Improvement Capital Reserve Fund – $35,000
Proposes raising and appropriating $35,000 for the previously established Adams Pool Improvement Capital Reserve Fund. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 10: Ambulance Service Revolving Fund – $375,000
Proposes raising and appropriating $375,000 for the Ambulance Service Revolving Fund to support ambulance services. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 11: West Peterborough District Expendable Trust Fund – $1,227,194.34
Proposes raising and appropriating $1,227,194.34 for the West Peterborough District Expendable Trust Fund to support infrastructure or community projects in the district. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 12: Greater Downtown District Expendable Trust Fund – $700,943
Proposes raising and appropriating $700,943 from the Greater Downtown Tax Increment Financing District, with no additional funds raised through taxation, for the Greater Downtown District Expendable Trust Fund. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 13: South Peterborough District Expendable Trust Fund – $829,560
Proposes raising and appropriating $829,560 from the South Peterborough Tax Increment Financing District, with no additional funds raised through taxation, for the South Peterborough District Expendable Trust Fund. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 14: Discontinue Funds
Proposes discontinuing the following Capital Reserve and Expendable Trust Funds, transferring their zero balances and accumulated interest to the municipality’s general fund: Fire and Ambulance Expendable Trust Fund (est. 3/13/1973, $0), Sewer Department Capital Reserve Fund (est. 3/14/1972, $0), Water Department Capital Reserve Fund (est. 3/14/1944, $0), Bridge Reconstruction Capital Reserve Fund (est. 3/10/1998, $0), Landfill Pollution Abatement Fund (est. 3/12/2005, $0), and Library Renovation Project Expendable Trust Fund (est. 7/14/2020, $0). Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (8-0).
Article 15: United States Semiquincentennial Anniversary Celebration – $15,000
Proposes raising and appropriating $15,000 for planning and celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial Anniversary in 2026. Recommended by the Select Board (2-1) and Budget Committee (6-1).
Article 16: Terms of Compensation for Elected Officials – $3,960
Proposes amending compensation for the elected Treasurer (from $2,040 to $5,000/year) and appointed Deputy Treasurer (from $1,500 to $2,500/year), and appropriating $3,960 for fiscal year 2026. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0) and Budget Committee (6-0-2).
Article 17: Elderly Tax Exemption Amounts
Proposes modifying elderly property tax exemptions under RSA 72:39-a: $100,000 for ages 65-75, $150,000 for ages 75-80, and $200,000 for ages 80+. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0).
Article 18: Discontinue a Portion of Bass Road (By Petition)
Proposes reclassifying a portion of Bass Road (approximately 952 feet, from Wilton Road/Route 101 to the easterly boundary of Tax Map R002, Lot 41) from Class V to Class VI highway, subject to gates and bars, per RSA 229:5, VII and RSA 231:45, preventing its use as a throughway for motor vehicles. Recommended by the Select Board (3-0).
