Newport board weighs major service cuts under default budget
Newport selectmen outline major service cuts under default budget. The Board unanimously reelected Rachel Dilger as Chair and elected Jeffrey Kessler as Vice Chair. With the town operating under a default budget after a failed town meeting vote, Town Manager Kyle Harris proposed cutting
Board of Selectmen · Meeting of May 18, 2026
NH NEWPORT — Newport selectmen outline major service cuts under default budget. The Board unanimously reelected Rachel Dilger as Chair and elected Jeffrey Kessler as Vice Chair. With the town operating under a default budget after a failed town meeting vote, Town Manager Kyle Harris proposed cutting approximately $134,000 from operations, including elimination of the assistant town clerk position, closure of the Town Office on Wednesdays, and approximately $17,000 in reductions to library and arts center funding.
The Board reached consensus to apply for a Safe Streets for All grant worth approximately $1.5 million for Main Street improvements, with a required 20 percent local match of $300,000.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 530 words
Source: the Board of Selectmen meeting of May 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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