Council approves one-time gift-card distribution for volunteer appreciation

Hooksett — The Town Council approved distributing volunteer appreciation funds as gift cards this year instead of the previously used luncheon format.

Town Administrator Andre Garen and councilors discussed previous low attendance at a volunteer luncheon and suggested redirecting the available funds to gift cards so every volunteer would receive the token regardless of attendance. Councilors debated the format briefly and asked about the budgeted amount. Andre and finance staff said there are funds in the budget that can cover the expense this year (councilors and staff referenced roughly $500 budgeted for volunteer appreciation in the packet discussion). A motion to use funds to purchase gift cards and distribute them proportionally to volunteers passed on the floor; no opposed votes were recorded on the public record.

Nut graf: With low attendance at past volunteer luncheons, the council chose a token distribution of gift cards for volunteers as a way to recognize service within the limits of the default budget.

Councilors said the change is meant as a small token of appreciation and not a permanent policy change; staff said the expense would be handled from existing budget lines and that further discussion about event timing and format could occur in future budget cycles.

Ending: Staff will use the appropriated funds to purchase and distribute gift cards to volunteers and will report back if the plan requires any administrative adjustments.