Bonnie Wright

2027 municipal budget bottom line

All-in cost of $73,272,691 including enterprise funds, roughly a 3.4% estimated tax rate increase.

Town-Wide Fee Schedule Review

Could eventually change what you pay for permits, transfer station stickers, and other town services — but no fee changes were made at this meeting.

Town Council Proposed Budget

A $2 million revenue increase was floated; roughly $1 million from fund balance could offset tax impact if applied to one-time projects.

South Fire Station Wetland Permit

About $421 total over 20 years for a $500K home, possibly less if more impact fees arrive — roughly zero tax impact in the first three years.

Recycling Program Support

Actual per-ton costs for trash and recycling are not yet known because the service is out to bid.

Transfer Station Operations and Costs

Out-of-state users are shifting disposal costs onto Salem taxpayers.

2026 Road Program Funding

$500,000 more for roads than the draft budget showed.

2026 zoning amendments

Supporters and opponents alike tied it to potential tax burden and traffic impacts along Route 28.

Ending recycling at the transfer station

About $65,000 a year in savings — less than a penny on the tax rate.

Donigian Farm senior housing density and flooding

The developer would fund an estimated half-mile water main extension along Pelham Road; two built homes sit unoccupied, and the property is listed for $3.2 million.

Millville Beach Cleanup and Old Bathhouse

A few new picnic tables are needed; possible funding from the Conservation Committee or nonprofits, and asbestos abatement at the old bathhouse is an unpriced future item.

South Fire Station project budget

About $21 a year on a $500,000 home once bond payments start in 2028.

Town Forest Stewardship

Applicants pay a fee and get a partial refund when they clean up their sites.

Exemption Limits Adjusted After Revaluation

Keeps current exemption recipients' relief level intact; no expansion of eligibility criteria.

South Fire Station replacement wetland impacts

Roughly $10.4 million expected as a 2027 warrant article, likely bonded.

Spicket River Tree Removal / Clean River Project

Unknown — crane work or specialized in-river machinery would require town contracting and budget commitments.

Community Development Director staffing dispute

Six-month funding saves $103,189.

Mandatory Water Restrictions

Buying more regional water costs about $3.09 per unit versus far cheaper town-treated water, which could pressure water fees.

Hedgehog Park Basketball Court and Pavilion Improvements

Municipal project cost not stated.

Variance requests for residential construction in Salem

ADUs typically add value to the homes and don't cost the town anything directly.

Accept Town of Salem correspondence

Accept Salem School District/SAU57 minutes

Adopt September 17, 2026 meeting minutes

Adjournment

Approval of Meeting Minutes (Sept 28, Oct 7, Oct 14, 2026)

Approve Consent Agenda

Appointment of Dawn Arahovites as Municipal Agent

Resolution No. 2026-22 – Traffic Signal Improvements at Pelham Road and Keewaydin Drive

Accept $21,200 NH Highway Safety Grant for Police Traffic Enforcement

Salem Animal Rescue League Trailer at 4 SARL Drive

Increase in Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Exemption Limits

Adjournment

Human Services - Lien - Spring Street

Increase Building Permits revenue line to $1,550,000

Reduce employee COLA from 4% to 3%

Cut Legal Budget publications line in half

Fund Community Development Director for six months only

Add $30,000 to Direct Assistance budget

Use $45,000 charitable gaming revenue for fireworks

Fund $300,000 DPW equipment replacement from fund balance

Move to increase the Direct Assistance Budget Line 4433 – Other Assistance by $30,000 for a new total of $35,000.

Move to use the revenue from charitable gaming towards the cost of fireworks.

Add $30,000 to Direct Assistance budget

Believed warrant articles would cover the need and worried about ballot length

Use $45,000 charitable gaming revenue for fireworks

Objected to funding fireworks after cutting nonprofits and recycling, with venue capacity concerns

Tax Collector — Regular Pay cut

Opposed cutting the elected official's pay line

Transfer station recycling program eliminated

Wanted to consider keeping some recyclable items such as glass rather than ending the program entirely

Human services agency funding eliminated

Argued the town is supporting services residents rely on, and tracking should cover what charities do for Salem residents, not just town referrals

Move to reduce the Outside Human Services Budget Line 4812 – The Upper Room by $7,500 for a new line total of $0, Line 4813 – Family Promise by $5,000 for a new total of $0, Line 4814 – The Boys & Gir

Move to end the recycling at the Salem Transfer Station and reduce the Solid Waste Line 4400 – Contracted Services by $65,000.

Move to reduce the Tax Collector Budget Line 4090 – Regular Pay by $3,253 for a new line total of $108,440.

Move to appoint Tom Woeffel, Kevin Richard, and Rick Murray to the Recreation Advisory Committee to terms ending April 2029.

Move to approve the sealed Town Council Non-Public Session #1 Meeting Minutes from March 2, 2026.

Move to approve the sealed Town Council Non-Public Session #4 Meeting Minutes from March 2, 2026.

Move to approve the sealed Town Council Non-Public Session #2 Meeting Minutes from March 2, 2026.

Move to approve the sealed Town Council Non-Public Session #3 Meeting Minutes from March 2, 2026.

Appoint Recreation Advisory Committee members (incumbents over newcomers)

She favored adding new blood to the committee.

Move to approve the Town Council Public Session Meeting Minutes from March 2, 2026.

Approval of March 2, 2026 Meeting Minutes

Move to approve the Town Council Public Session Meeting Minutes from February 2, 2026.

Approve Public Session Minutes (February 2, 2026)

She was absent from the February 2 meeting.

Move to receive and forward the following petition to the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant/Ballot WITHOUT recommendation: By Petition: Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Thousand

Move to receive and forward the following petition to the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant/Ballot WITH recommendation: By Petition: Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dolla

Move to forward the following article to the 2026 annual Town Meeting Warrant/Ballot with recommendation: Article 07 - Shall the Town vote to authorize the Town Council to enter into long-term lease-

Move to receive and forward the following petition to the 2026 Town Meeting Warrant/Ballot WITHOUT recommendation: By Petition: Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Do

Warrant Article 7 — $1,350,000 Fire Engine Lease-Purchase

Article 15 — Isaiah 58 Petition ($10,000)

Article 16 — Salem Family Resources Petition ($10,000)

Former board member who believes the organization saves the town money

Article 17 — The Upper Room Petition ($7,500)

Article 18 — Field of Dreams Petition ($10,000)

Feels people are more important than playgrounds