Hinsdale board tentatively approves most operating budgets; fire department deferred for follow-up

Town Administrator Kathryn Lynch presented a revised budget packet Monday night and the Select Board and Budget Committee tentatively approved most department operating budgets for fiscal 2026, but tabled the Fire Department request for additional information.

The approvals included ambulance ($167,847), finance ($208,729), police ($1,727,679), water ($716,217) and sewer ($553,881), among other department budgets. Police Chief Evans and Lt. Gosetti attended to answer questions; Selectman William J. Hodgman III noted the police budget was reduced by removing a previously budgeted 10th position that is not expected to be filled this year. Hodgman moved the police budget recommendation; the motion passed with a 3-0-1 vote (Mike Carrier abstained).

Why it matters: the water budget incorporates adjustments recommended in a recently completed Asset Management Plan that called for a 32% user-fee increase over two years; the Select Board has already authorized the first 16% increase. If implemented as recommended, the phased fee changes will affect all water customers and are intended to align user fees with capital and maintenance needs identified by the plan.

Key approvals and notable items

- Ambulance: Selectman Mike Carrier moved to tentatively approve the Ambulance operating budget at $167,847; Bernie Rideout seconded and the committee approved the motion 4-0. Lynch explained a mutual-aid dispatch contract increase (Keene) added more than $20,000 to that line.

- Police: Hodgman explained the department removed the 10th position from the request and asked Chief Evans and Lt. Gosetti to be available for questions. Hodgman moved to tentatively approve the Police budget at $1,727,679; Rideout seconded. The motion passed 3-0-1; Carrier recorded an abstention.

- Fire Department: Hodgman raised concerns about recent electrical problems on a frontline engine and warned that truck repairs and maintenance have already exceeded the current year’s budgeted $10,000 (to date about $17,000 has been spent). The committee agreed to table the Fire Department budget pending follow-up with the chief and additional information on apparatus condition and anticipated repair costs.

- Transfer station and staffing: Lynch said the Transfer Station request rose by $78,735, primarily to convert a second position to full time and to cover increased haul-away/tipping fees under contract with Casella. The committee approved the Transfer Station budget of $419,081 but requested a comparison with Chesterfield’s operations.

- Highway resurfacing: highway staff expressed concern about deferring work; Selectman Carrier moved to increase road resurfacing from $180,000 to $190,000 and to set the Highway and Parks budget at $976,129. The motion passed 4-0 despite some committee members expressing reservations about adding funds.

- Community services, pools and recreation: the Select Board approved Community Assistance ($73,332), the municipal pool ($59,444) and Recreation ($15,365). Committee members debated the municipal pool’s net cost, with Dan Seymour noting revenues “do not make a dent” in overall expense and Alex Duso highlighting community benefits.

Process and next steps

Town Administrator Lynch said the operating budgets, with the exception of the Fire Department item, were tentatively approved and that the board will review warrant articles at the next meeting before setting final recommendations. The Asset Management Plan recommendation for phased water user-fee increases was noted; any formal rate changes will follow the town’s public-notice and rate-adoption processes.

Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. Selectman William J. Hodgman III submitted the minutes.