Selectmen approve most 2026 department budgets; election equipment decision tabled

The Alton Board of Selectmen reviewed and approved several department operating budgets for fiscal 2026 and approved a five‑year prosecutor contract; the board tabled the election and registration budget pending further information about proposed electronic check‑in equipment.

During a long budget session, department heads presented line‑by‑line explanations and answered questions about wages, benefits and one‑time equipment requests. Planning and zoning’s operating budget was approved at $157,510 after the board asked staff to add the total for the public record. Parks and Recreation’s 2026 operating budget was approved at $141,204. The Water Department’s budget was approved at $600,916; the presenter noted health insurance increases and emphasized that the water department is self‑funded and does not draw on tax revenue.

Police Department leadership presented a budget of $1,586,715 and explained changes including a plan to add a full‑time school resource officer (with school‑district reimbursement during the school year), reductions in part‑time and overtime hours to offset staffing changes, increases to vehicle and tire lines and ongoing technology costs (including Cellebrite phone‑extraction software). The board approved the police budget.

Legal expenses were approved at $145,418. The board also approved a draft prosecutor contract covering Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2030 that the prosecutor had already signed; the manager noted the contract can be terminated by either party with 30 days’ written notice. Administration’s budget ($465,946), the building department budget ($152,127) and the town clerk/tax collector budget ($213,843) were approved after presentations from staff. The board approved the consent agenda and approved minutes from the Oct. 14, 2025 meeting.

The election and registration budget — which includes a proposed purchase of five electronic check‑in tablets and an annual support subscription — drew questions about ongoing support costs and programming. One selectman said he was not in favor of the $12,500 purchase; another selectman asked for more information from the town clerk. The board voted to table the election and registration budget until the clerk could attend and answer detailed questions.

Motions to approve each department budget were made, seconded, and recorded in the meeting minutes; where the transcript records only "Aye" votes, the clerk recorded each motion as passed.