Grafton Select Board and Budget Committee approved 2027 departmental budgets as health insurance costs rose 14.6 percent. Major approved budgets included Highway at $541,000; Police at $209,117; Recycling Center at $169,050; Fire Department at $57,450; and Library at $23,380.
The Selectmen unanimously approved amended 2027 departmental budgets for 16 town operations.
Grafton Board of Selectmen reviewed Fire Department and Fire Warden budget requests for 2027. Assistant Fire Chief Chris Thursten and Fire Captain Alton Hennesy presented a Fire Department budget of $75,850, up $2,800 from 2026, and a Fire Warden budget of $3,000, down $2,900.
Grafton Board of Selectmen approved a hazard mitigation grant amendment and scheduled a public hearing on recycling center fees. In a majority vote, the board accepted the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program amendment extending the Wild Meadow Bridge project period of performance to May 2, 2027.
Grafton Library Trustees agreed to a 3.7 percent fiscal budget increase and approved participation in a digitization fund for an 1900-1965 archive of the Canaan Reporter on September 17.
Board of Selectmen rescinded its decision to purchase a mini-pumper truck, voting instead to place the question before voters on the March warrant. Selectman Steve Darrow motioned to rescind the prior purchase vote, with the motion passing unanimously. The board also agreed to expand the town
Grafton Cemetery Trustees propose $14,750 budget for 2027, cutting $1,900 from current year spending. Trustees Jean Mitchell and Ryan Huff recommended the reduction primarily through wage adjustments from $14,000 to $12,000 following improved employee management. The board voted unanimously to move
Cemetery trustees propose a $14,750 budget and vote to change their meeting schedule. Trustees Jean Mitchell and Ryan Huff proposed a 2027 budget reducing spending from $16,650 to $14,750, with wages cut from $14,000 to $12,000, attributing the reduction to improved employee management. The
Grafton selectmen approve $380,000 fire department mini-pumper. Chair Ed Grinley and members Leif Hogue and Steve Darrow voted unanimously for the purchase, which Fire Chief Alan Gove said would provide backup capability and extend replacement timelines. Darrow expressed concern about capital
Grafton Library Trustees approved lot improvements and a fireside folk tales program. The board agreed to allow the Friends of the Grafton Library to pursue infrastructure work on the library lot, including temporary electrical service, tank removal, stump removal, and well investigation.