Temple budget set to go down

The resolution of a case in state Supreme Court, which ruled in the town’s favor against, Alan Marsh (pictures) and John Jackson-Marsh, had led to legal expenses being budgeted at 21% less.

The resolution of a case in state Supreme Court, which ruled in the town’s favor against, Alan Marsh (pictures) and John Jackson-Marsh, had led to legal expenses being budgeted at 21% less. FILE PHOTO

By DAVID ALLEN

MonadnocK Ledger Transcript

Published: 02-03-2025 12:00 PM

Temple’s proposed budget for 2025-2026 is 2.6% less than last year’s total, at slightly under $1.81 million.  The current budget is approximately $1.86 million.

The Budget Committee shared anticipated expenses at Wednesday’s meeting, including a 16.4% increase in funds for the Conservation Commission and 11.6% more for police, owing to to staffing. Police spending in the current budget is $301,163, and the request is for $335,975.

Costs associated with assessing and auditing are down 43.5%, from $44,580 to $25,168.

“We just completed that five-year cycle of assessments, and the fifth year is the most-expensive one,” said Bill Ezell, of the Select Board. He added the town put the property assessment contract out to bid, but with no takers, that the process will continue to be done by Avitar Associates of Chichester. 

Legal expenses for the town have been budgeted at 21% less owing to the resolution of a case in state Supreme Court, which ruled in the town’s favor against Alan Marsh and John Jackson-Marsh in a dispute over whether the aging construction vehicles and machinery constituted a junkyard.

“The Marsh case was the big expense in that area, and with the Supreme Court’s ruling, we expect the figure can be lower this year,” said Ezell.