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Board plans hybrid town meeting with department-level budget detail if residents seek cuts
Summary
Facing possible amendment motions to reduce the proposed budget, the board discussed running a hybrid town meeting with department heads presenting spreadsheets so residents can see where cuts would come from; the board also agreed on a Plan B to move to a school auditorium if turnout exceeds capacity.
Board members and staff proposed staging a hybrid town meeting so department heads can display budget spreadsheets during public discussion of potential amendments.
The proposal would allow residents to see, in real time, which programs or line items would be affected if the board accepted amendments to reduce spending — for example, moving from a proposed increase down to a 1.4% rise or deeper cuts. A staff speaker said the town could be facing roughly $1 million in additional reductions beyond $400,000 already assumed, and recommended showing department-level impacts so residents know which services or capital projects would be deferred.
Board members and staff discussed logistical contingencies in case of high turnout. The board agreed to hold the posted meeting at Town Hall and, if attendance exceeds capacity, recess and reconvene at the school auditorium or annex within a week. The presiding member said the town attorney would be present if the meeting were reconvened at the school and noted an announcement could be made up to two hours before the meeting if relocation became necessary.
Staff also raised concerns about sound-system reliability in the upstairs meeting room and recommended a backup plan so attendees can hear presentations. Department heads — including the public works representative who was cited as able to specify which roads or projects would be cut — will be prepared to explain consequences of different reduction levels.
The board did not adopt any final budget amendment in this session but directed staff and department heads to prepare materials for a hybrid meeting that will allow transparent, department-level discussion of proposed cuts.
