Tuesday, March 10, 2026

2026 Municipal Warrant Articles

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Article 1 | Town Ballot

See our sample ballot for candidate endorsements.

Charter Amendments, Articles 2 – 6
Clarifies the language and New Amendments to the Town Charter approved by voters in 2023

Article 2 | Charter Amendment 1

Removes the requirement to seek quotes every (3) years for town auditors. Also removes the requirement every (6) years to select a different town audit professional services firm. This amendment does not prohibit town audits from taking place (Charter Sec 4.10.2) 

Recommended? Neutral

Article 3 | Charter Amendment 2

Proposes the elimination of the elected town Budget Committee and moving the future town budget process to the elected 9 member Town Council, Town Manager and Department Heads. Any references to the Budget Committee are removed from the Charter; Charter Article 5.2 will be renamed as [Reserved] for future use. (affects Charter Sec 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6H, 6.3.1.E, 7.3.C, 10.1)

Recommended? YES

Article 4 | Charter Amendment 3

Clarifies language pertaining to Elected and Appointed Officials (EAO) ethical responsibilities regarding use of their EAO position or influence for personal or political benefit or to cause any harm to another or to directly affect the decisions of others. Submitted by the Ethics Committee (Charter Sec 6.3.7) 

Recommended? YES

Article 5 | Charter Amendment 4

Adds new section 6.3.13 requiring new EAOs to complete Ethics Training within the first (3) months after election or appointment; annual Ethics Training is also mandatory for all EAOs and will be considered an Ethics violation for failure to do so (Charter Sec 6.3)

Recommended? YES

Article 6 | Charter Amendment 5

Amends change to Charter to correct inconsistencies with term lengths and alternates appointments for the Conservation Committee reflected in statute RSA 36-A. Submitted by the Ethics Committee (Charter Sec. 9.1.2)

Recommended? YES

Article 7 | Fire Engine-Pumper Lease/Purchase

Request to lease/purchase a Fire Engine-Pumper at a total cost of $1,350,000 over a term of 60 months. First year expenditure is $295,000. Requires 3/5 ballot vote to pass. Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Property tax Rate Impact: $0.04

Recommended? YES

Article 8 | 2026 Operating Budget for ($71,994,466)

This budget does not include any additional funds voted and approved through the Warrant Article results. If this Article does not pass, the Default Budget would be $66,126,303. Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Property Tax: $5.63 | Water Rate: $4.75 | Sewer Rate: $5.75

Recommended? YES

Article 9 | 2026 Road Construction & Engineering

Will improve 42 roads in town (published list), tax impact lower than 2025. Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Property Tax Rate Impact: $0.44                          

Recommended? YES

Article 10 | Salem Police Employees Association (SPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

New 4-year CBA negotiated between Town Council and members of the Salem Police Employees Association (SPEA); Increase in salary and benefits for 69 full-time members resulting in a 3% increase (COLA) each year from 2026-2029. This will be an increase of $247,906 for the first year of the CBA (2026). Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Property Tax Rate Impact: $0.04                

Recommended? YES

Article 11 | Salem Public Administrators Association (SPAA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

New 3 year agreement negotiated between Town Council and SPAA for 25 full-time and one part time member. 2026 budget for this CBA is $141,582 with 3% increases (COLA) for year 2 and 3 of this contract. Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Property Tax, Water Fund, Cable Access Special Revenue Fund Rate Impact: $0.02                      

Recommended? YES

Article 12 | Other Post-Employment (OPEB) Trust Fund 

Provides funding for a trust fund for post-employment benefits other than pensions. Required to maintain Salem’s AAA credit rating. Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Unassigned Fund Balance and Water Fund Rate Impact: $0.00               

Recommended? YES

Article 13 | Town Facility Management & Improvement   

Provides funding for unintended capital emergency improvements such as HVAC repair, roof repairs, etc. We have aging municipal facilities. Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Unassigned Fund Balance Rate Impact: $0.00                

Recommended? YES

Article 14 | Anniversary Celebration Trust      

Allows transfer of unused revenue totaling $28,753 from funds raised for the 275th Anniversary Celebration from the Recreation Revolving Fund to the  Anniversary Celebration Trust fund for future town anniversary celebrations. Recommended by Town Council and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Recreation Revolving Fund Rate Impact: $0.00                 

Recommended? YES

Warrant Articles By Petition, Articles 15-18 

Article 15 | By Petition – Isaiah 58       

Isaiah58NH, Salem Family Resources and the Upper Room coordinate efforts to provide services and resources in a cost effective and non duplicating manner. They assist Salem in meeting its legal obligation to less fortunate residents. The demand for these services continues to grow. The Town Council tie (4–4) voted on Articles 15 – 17).
Funding Source: Property Tax Rate Impact: $0.002                 

Recommended? YES

Article 16 | By Petition – Salem Family Resources       

Provides $10,000 to Salem non-profit providing Pre-K educational and family support, goods and services through Cindy’s Place and daily Play Groups 
Funding Source: Property Tax Rate Impact: $0.002                      

Recommended? YES

Article 17 | By Petition – Upper Room       

Provides $7,500 to non-profit Upper Room, whose prevention, intervention, and engagement programs for children and families in the Greater Salem area strengthen individuals and families to live healthy and self-sufficient lives. 
Funding Source: Property Tax Rate Impact: $0.001                       

Recommended? YES

Article 18 | By Petition – Field of Dreams      

Provides $10,000 to assist with maintenance and renovations to the Field of Dreams playground. This funding is not allowed through the contract between Field of Dreams and the town. Town Council vote for this article was 4-4 tie vote.
Funding Source: Property Tax Rate Impact: $0.002                         

Recommended? NO

2026 Salem School Board Warrant Articles

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Article 1 | School Ballot (vote for School Board Candidate)      

Article 2 | Approval of the budget of $99,125,246      

This does not include the Collective Bargaining Agreements up for vote this year.  If the school budget does not pass, the default budget would be $98,272,951. NH Avg cost per student is $22,700. This budget used calculations advised by RSA 189:75 and cost per Salem student is $19,753. Recommended by the School Board and Budget Committee                     

Recommended? YES

Article 3 | Approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Salem Association of Food Service Personnel (SAFSP)      

This is the first year of a 3 year contract, 31 members in this bargaining unit. It represents a 3.5% increase in salaries and benefits by the new CBO year over year with the first year adjusting all 31 members salaries to the new contract terms. 2026 increase $92,634, 2027 increase $52,600, 2028 increase $52,689. No tax impact for 2026. Recommended by the School Board and Budget Committee
Funding Source: Unassigned Fund Balance Tax Impact: $0.00                   

Recommended? YES

Article 4 | Approval to Establish a Playground Expendable Trust Fund      

For the upgrading and maintaining of school district playgrounds. Allows the transfer of $100 from the Salem School Unassigned Fund Balance to initiate the trust. This trust fund will be managed by the Salem School Board 
Funding Source: Unassigned Fund Balance Tax Impact: $0.00                   

Recommended? YES

Article 5 | By Petition – Compliance by the Library Material Selection Policy to RSA 571:B  

would authorize the Salem School Board to audit Salem School District policies to ensure adherence to State Law regarding exposing minors to harmful materials. 
No Tax Impact.              

Recommended? NO!!!