A Small Town's Guide to Financial Fiascos

Council members unanimously support raising rates to fund water plant improvements and sustainability.

Sholo School Board approves bad debt write off and $5 bus pass replacement fee.

Representative Sue Vandercastile Lehi proposed requiring proof of insurance or a $25,000 bond at vehicle registration. Committee members debated statutory interpretation of RSA 2:64, enforcement at town clerks’ offices, barriers for new drivers and service members, and whether existing law (enforceable after an accident) suffices; sponsors agreed to further meetings rather than an immediate vote.

The board approved renewal of the Joe's Place MOU as presented but amended the action to direct administration and Joe's Place to work together to develop short- and long-term goals for defining and potentially shifting financial responsibility (especially item No. 8 on upkeep).

During committee reports Director Klein said Lebanon may vote in November on leaving the county Career and Technical Center (CTC); Klein cited a recent court ruling that allowed withdrawal but required up to 13 years of financial responsibility, a development that could pause renovation plans and create fiscal liabilities.

Speakers urged the ordinance to require upfront bonds or escrow and independent third-party monitoring to ensure that if a data center is abandoned, the company—not residents—pays for demolition and site restoration; staff confirmed decommissioning language is included in the draft.

Superintendent Amy Rex briefed Milton Selectboard and School Board members on Act 170, explaining mandatory District Merger Study Committees (Milton in Group 19) and voluntary CESAs. Milton must hold the merger study committee's first meeting by Oct. 15, 2026; legacy debt coverage remains uncertain.

At an Aug. 12, 2026 hearing, PUC staff told an ALJ it recommends revoking the certificates and permits for the carriers listed in the updated hearing cycle because they lack current evidence of financial responsibility; two carriers were removed from the list after updating insurance.

After an extended debate about utility reserves and storm‑season risk, the Lake Worth Beach City Commission voted to deny a proposed $500,000 transfer from the storm fund into the electric utility’s rate‑stabilization fund, citing concern about timing and fund purpose.

Council supports referendum to give residents control over future park property use.

District leaders hold weekly budget meetings to ensure a balanced budget by summer.