LYNDEBOROUGH – The proposed operating budget for the town is a 2.9 percent increase over last year. The special warrant articles bring the total up to $2,042,032, an increase of 5.7 percent.

The Budget Committee held a hearing on the proposed budget on Tuesday, Feb. 6, but only a half dozen people attended the 90-minute meeting. Committee Chairman Burton presented and explained the various line items.

Lyndeborough operates under RSA 32, The Municipal Budget Act, with an elected Budget Committee which prepares the budget.

Reynolds reminded those present that the town portion is only about 20 percent of tax rate, with the schools being most the remaining expenditures.

The Budget Committee uses “zero based budgeting,” he said, meaning that they start each year from zero, and build a new budget each year. Because of the town’s total valuation, an expenditure of $165,000 adds one dollar to the tax rate.

Employees are offered a 2 percent wage increase, and most of the increases are due to wages and insurance costs.

Election expenses are doubled this year because of state elections this fall.

Legal expenses are down somewhat because a long-running zoning violation is expected to be settled.

The former Highway Department garage needs a new roof; $2500 is budgeted.

The Police Department budget is up about $7,000 to cover Taser replacement, radios and bullet-proof vests., and other equipment.

The Fire Department is up about $4,000 to implement more training, assess air packs, and a new humidifier.

The Highway Department is largest part of the operating budget, Reynolds said. Extra salt and sand are included because of the ice storms earlier this year. Sealing and crack repair postponed by the Mountain Road Project will be completed, as will painting center lines on the Turnpike and Center Road. Another 400 feet of guardrails will be added where most needed.

Roads to be tarred this year include Meetinghouse Hill on New Road (starting at Center Road), Baldwin Hill Road, and Center Road from the town hall to Dutton Road. Much of the state Block Grant money is used for the Mountain Road bond payment.

The street lights have been “looked at,” Reynolds said, “and most of it is ancient, installed about 1949.” A committee will study the issue.

The Conservation Commission will receive $1,300 to assist with the cleanup of an old building on Scout Road.

Total of warrant articles is $344,000, including $73,000 in capital reserve funds.

Paving Citizens’ hall parking lot is estimated at $22,000 and the library lot at $8,000.

Asked about the impact of the paving on the tax rate, Town Administrator Russ Boland said, “Sixteen cents.”

Asked about surplus or unexpended funds, Reynolds said the town is required to hold a percentage to cover unpaid taxes and emergencies, and some is often used to lower the tax rate.

Reynolds said the budget depends on revenues and “those look pretty good so far.”

Revenue sources, other than taxes, include fees such as automoble registrations, charges for service and dog licenses; grants; state funds such as the highway block grant and rooms and meals tax; and rental of town property.