LYNDEBOROUGH – Following the public budget hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Budget Committee raised the proposed operating budget by $85,000 – first restoring $90,000 for paving and then subtracting $5,000 for a telephone upgrade. The final figure to be presented to voters at Town Meeting is $2,406,865, an increase of about 4.6 percent.

Chairman Karen Grybko presented the budget. About a half dozen people attended the hour-long hearing at Citizens’ Hall.

At a previous meeting, alarmed by a projected 16 percent rise, committee members cut $90,000 from the highway department paving budget and suggested the selectmen use ARPA (American Recovery Plan Act) or other funds, or postpone some of the planned work.

At their meeting on Jan. 26, the Selectmen voted to fund all Capital Reserve Fund contributions from the town’s undesignated fund balance, and to ask the Budget Committee to restore $50,000 to the paving budget. They decided to postpone two projects, Osgood Road and Whittemore Hill, as well as some gardrail installation.

Following the budget presentation, Member John Pomer moved to restore the $50,000 as requested by the selectman.

However, Member Kevin Boette amended that to the full $90,000.

“We’re behind on our paving schedule because of (the reconstruction of) Mountain Road,” he said. “We’ll be playing catch-up again next year. The roads need our attention.”

Selectman Mark Chamberlain said, “With the $90,000 (restored) we can do everything (on the plan.)” The plan, he said, was to do all the needed work north of the mountain at the same time to cut down on the expense of moving equipment. New Road and the 2nd N.H. Turnpike will be done.

Grybko said the committee’s priority is “keeping the budget rise within our cap of 2.6 percent.

After some discussions of varying amounts, the board voted the $90,000.

With the selectmen paying for the reserve funds, Grybko said, “we can approve the paving.”

Another member then suggested cutting $5,000 from a telephone system upgrade, suggesting that be paid for from ARPA, and was so voted.

Asked about future road projects, Chamberlain said “Phase 2” of Center Road had been postponed because of projected engineering costs. “The sight lines are terrible; the hills are terrible. We can use ARPA money until 2024. And we may get some federal infrastructure money. We’re keeping our eyes on it.”

Boette suggested a little less engineering.

During the presentation, Grybko said the main drivers of the budget increase were adding a full-time police officer, ambulance costs, salaries and retirement in general, a new town assessor, and adding an NRPC Circuit Rider for the Planning Board.

“We need to provide the departments with what they need,” Grybko said.

Wages are increased by 4 percent.

Health insurance has increased 5.7 percent over last year.

Ambulance costs are up about $50,000 due to increased hours and needed repairs at the ambulance bay. Boette mentioned on-going problems with billing and collecting for services. “Their revenues are down and their expenses are up. We have a very good service,” he said.

There was no discussion of the proposal to move the service to the Wilton Fire Station. The question is on the warrant, asking the voters to authorize the selectmen to endorse the move.

Voters are also asked to change the purpose of a capital reserve fund for the existing Repair and Replacement of the 2016 one-ton dump truck to Repair and Replacement of a 2022 one-ton dump truck.

The 2016 truck, which needs major repairs, is to be sold.

The business portion of Town Meeting is set for Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m., at Citizens’ Hall.