ENFIELD — Voters will be asked to approve a nearly level-funded budget and delay several expenditures when they gather for an outdoor Town Meeting on Saturday morning.
Enfield officials are proposing a $6.72 million budget for the current calendar year, an increase of $50,230, or less than 1%, over last year’s spending plan.
The budget is about $226,000 less than the figure listed on the warrant, which was approved in February before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted town officials to postpone Enfield’s usual March meeting.
The Selectboard cannot amend the warrant once it’s posted, so voters will be asked to make several changes to account for the recent economic downturn, according to Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth. That includes tabling such purchases as a $190,000 request for new police cruisers and putting off Enfield’s master plan process until it’s safe for people to congregate.
“We want to make sure that our residents see that their town officials are aware of what’s going on,” Aylesworth said in a phone interview Thursday. “We’re not tone-deaf. We’re very much wanting to live within our means.”
“A lot of households are adjusting their spending, and the town needs to do the same,” he added.
After Town Meeting was postponed, officials spent months closely monitoring revenue and economic conditions before deciding on a final budget figure, Aylesworth said.
In March and April, forecasts predicted significant dips in motor vehicle fees, income from the state’s rooms and meals tax and other grants the town typically relies on to pay its bills.
But the state has since told municipalities to expect stable funding from the rooms and meals tax — a 9% tax on those staying at hotels or eating at restaurants — and motor vehicle revenue turned out “strong,” Aylesworth said.
“We’re actually now a little bit ahead of last year,” he said. “We’re not assuming things are just going to take off from here but we’re more comfortable using a (budget) number closer to last year’s number.”
Enfield is now seeing expenditures on track with last year, according to Aylesworth, who added that money spent responding to the virus, expected to total about $111,000, will be paid through federal stimulus funds. Still, he said, officials opted to make several cuts from the budget, the largest being two vacancies — one in the police department and another from public works — that won’t be filled this year. Overall, Aylesworth predicts the changes will result in no changes to Enfield’s municipal tax rate.
However, officials still hope voters will approve two warrant articles totaling $3.8 million they say is needed to upgrade and replace the town’s aging sewer and water systems.
Rising construction costs, which typically go up 5% each year, make the infrastructure projects a high priority, according to Aylesworth.
Both systems also have documented problems. Water pipes first installed in 1903 are prone to breaks and are growing difficult to maintain, while an assessment of the sewers found that groundwater has infiltrated the system. That same study found that 22 of Enfield’s 96 manholes require repairs. Another 18 could not be located and 43 were either paved over or inaccessible.
The projects, which are split into two $1.9 million warrant articles, would be shouldered by sewer and water ratepayers, not taxes. The town intends to seek funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the work, with grants potentially covering about 45% of the overall costs.
Other projects the town chose not to delay that will require a Town Meeting vote include $150,000 to replace a bridge on Oak Hill Road, $40,000 to replace sidewalks in the village and $448,368 slated for capital reserve funds.
To promote social distancing, Saturday’s meeting will be held in Huse Park on Route 4, with several seating options available to voters.
People wishing to remain in their vehicles can use one of 50 parking spaces at the park, while residents also can participate under a tent erected in its baseball diamond. There also will be space for voters outside the tent in the outfield. Town officials are requesting that people wear face coverings and will hand out free masks to those without one. Hand sanitizer will be available as well.
Check-in for the meeting will begin at 7 a.m. while the event is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. People can find more information about parking at the town’s website, Enfield.nh.us.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.