By Darrell Halen

Salem property owners will see a 9 percent increase in the town portion of their tax bills next year if all warrant articles put forward by selectmen are approved in March.

Director of Finance Jane Savastano said at the selectmen’s Monday, Dec. 3, meeting, that if everything passes, the estimated municipal tax rate would be $4.87 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

That’s nearly 9 percent up from the current rate of $4.48.

If the municipal tax rate climbs to $4.87, owners of a $350,000 home would pay $136 more in town taxes.

Selectmen do not determine the county, local school rate or state education rate portions of tax bills.

During the meeting, selectmen took up several warrant articles, debating whether to recommend them.

They supported spending $104,912 to hire four new firefighters but not to replace a 20-year-old truck next year. They also removed $48,000 for vinyl siding for Foss School.

A majority of the board voted to support reconstructing Shore Drive, a $2.145 million project, next year. Selectman Michael Lyons voted against doing so, citing a staff recommendation to split the work over two years.

Selectman Patrick Hargreaves said it would cost a lot more by delaying some of the work.

“We need to get it done next year,” he said. “Bite the bullet. Let’s do it.”

 “From time to time, I have to keep reminding myself – all we do is make recommendations at town meeting,” said Selectman Arthur Barnes. “The voters will do what they want to do. They vote projects up. They vote projects down.”