Town Council Budget Meeting – October 7, 2026

The Salem Town Council met on October 7, 2026, for the second reading of the 2027 budget. The meeting focused on reviewing revenue projections, discussing potential adjustments to revenue estimates, and addressing other budget-related matters. Key topics included building permits, timber/woodland tax revenues, and the unassigned fund balance. The council also introduced members present and heard from the Town Manager regarding revenue outlooks.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar was discussed during this meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comments or testimony during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Revenue Page 7 Review: The council reviewed the revenue section beginning on page seven. Town Manager Joe Devine reported that the sharp influx in building permit revenue this year was a million dollars from the casino remodel. Councilmember Betancourt noted the divergence in building permit estimates and suggested the council could responsibly increase that revenue estimate.
• Timber Tax / Yield Tax: Councilmember Whithrow mentioned that planning staff identified an approved development on vacant forested land—Blue Bird Self-Storage at 15-18 Manor Parkway (approximately seven acres, with at least four acres to be cleared). She asked whether timber tax revenue could be added to that line. The town manager did not recommend adding a number, noting that the MS434 report to the state is where revenues get adjusted based on actual receipts, and that he is not qualified to estimate that number today. Councilmember Pelletier asked whether the rates can increase in 2027 if the project was approved before occupancy; the manager said they'd need to submit an intent to cut first, but he didn't know the timing.
• Building permits: Joe Devine noted the sharp influx of about $1 million this year came from the casino remodel. He consulted with Mike Gallopo (revenue side for building permits), who said increasing the estimate by $100,000 or $150,000 was still doable if the council wanted.
• Boat tax revenue: The town only receives boat tax revenue if boats are registered at B&H; residents were encouraged to register boats at B&H so the town receives the revenue.
• The 2027 budget discussion included this second reading; the first reading focused on the revenue page. The meeting proceeded page-by-page through the budget with comments. They plan to continue at the next meeting and finalize the following week.

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