The Andover Budget Committee recommendations for 2016 call for a net appropriation for the School District budget, the Town budget, and the fire department budgets of $6,982,809. This is up $429,763 (6.6%) over the 2015 net appropriation. The School District budget is up by $126,399. The Town budget is up $300,711. The fire department budgets are up $2,653.

School Budget

The 2016 Andover School District budget recommended by the Budget Committee was discussed in the February article in the Beacon. A total appropriation of $4,900,864 is proposed, up $126,399 (2.6%) over last year’s appropriation.

Town Budget

A total budget for the Town of $2,130,768 is recommended by the Budget Committee. Subtracting pass-through items results in a net budget to taxes of $1,950,880. This is up $300,711 (18.2%) over last year’s net appropriation.

Significant components of the recommended 2016 Town budget are the following.

The Highway Department will resume the program of rebuilding town roads with Highway Project funds of $150,000. A dump truck donated to the Town by the Fire Department will be refitted for highway services for $30,000.

A Capital Reserve Fund for Morrill Hill Bridge will be established, funded by the transfer of $179,888 from the Town’s unassigned fund balance, without tax impact.

Funds will be added to the other Capital Reserve Funds and Expendable Trust Funds in amounts equal to the previous year, with one exception. Only $5,000 will be added to the Technology Expendable Trust Fund that was initiated with $18,000 last year.

The Town Office roof needs replacement for $25,000.

The Selectmen’s recommended budget proposes to acquire and equip a new forest fire truck for $48,847 to improve the Town’s ability to respond to and suppress forest fires. The Budget Committee does not recommend this acquisition in 2016. This decision was made in consideration of the large increases in other parts of the budget, particularly in capital investment expenses.

Fire Departments

The budgets for the two fire departments are increased slightly to $131,065, up $2,653 over last year.

Voting on the Budgets

The School District budget of $4,900,864 will be voted on at School District Meeting, to be held on Tuesday, March 1, at 7 PM at Andover Elementary/Middle School.

The Budget Committee’s recommended Town budget of $2,130,768 will be voted on at Town Meeting, to be held on Tuesday, March 8, at 7 PM at AE/MS. The town will vote for Town and School District officers from 11 AM to 7 PM on Tuesday, March 8, at AE/MS.

The East Andover Fire Precinct’s budget will be voted on at the Precinct’s annual meeting on Tuesday, March 15, at 7:30 PM at the East Andover Fire Station.

The Andover Fire District’s budget will be voted on at the District’s annual meeting on Wednesday, March 16, at 7:30 PM at the Andover Fire Station.