Voters Can Weigh In on Fire Budget Saturday

When the Hillsborough Board of Education discussed moving school elections to November, and the end of public budget votes, some residents and board members were skeptical—they noted voting on the school budget was the only time many people can express their view on taxes.

Not to compare the budgets in terms of impacts on the tax bills, but residents can still vote on one budget: Saturday's fire district voting includes a proposal for a $1.7 million budget for local fire companies to use to maintain the firehouses, as well as help provide some financial support to the three fire companies in town.

If approved, the budget would set a tax rate of about 3.1 cents per $100 of assessed value for property owners, meaning the average Hillsborough homeowner would contribute about $114 annually to fire services.

Voting will be held at the municipal complex from 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and will also include the election of two members of the Board of Fire Commissioners, with Charlie Nuara, John Catrombon and Matt DeCicco seeking election.