Brookfield selectboard narrows 2025 budget lines, trims nonprofit requests

The Brookfield Selectboard spent the bulk of its meeting refining draft budget lines for 2025, singling out a handful of operational costs and community funding requests that will appear in the warrant materials.

The most immediate change the board agreed to put into the proposed operating budget was a one-time purchase for the town clerk’s office to accept over‑the‑counter credit‑card payments. The clerk’s presentation identified two vendor options, a one‑time terminal cost of about $325 or a higher model at $550; the board agreed to add $325–$500 to the clerk’s budget and said customers will absorb the customary transaction fees. ‘‘The only cost is the purchase of the credit card machine,’’ the clerk explained while outlining options and accounting logistics.

On building operations, the board accepted a new separate line item for townhouse cleaning at $1,500 a year while leaving the town‑hall cleaner’s existing $125 per month payment in place. Members also voted informally to raise general building expenses to $500 to cover occasional additional cleaning.

Requests from outside agencies drew sharper debate. Amanda Bugard, a representative for the Greater Wakefield Resource Center, submitted a written request for $2,000 and described the center’s congregate‑meal program (three days a week for about 60 seniors), noting that 18% of meals served had Brookfield residents. After discussion about prior requests and limited town funds, board members agreed to allocate $500 to the resource center. The board also agreed to $500 each for CASA (court‑appointed special advocates) and Tri‑County CAP, pending any additional supporting information.

Several capital and historic‑preservation items remain undecided. The Heritage Commission has asked for roughly $20,000 for painting and roof work related to historic structures; board members discussed using trust‑fund balances (about $20,000 cited in discussion) or bringing a $20,000 warrant article to voters to replenish the trust after work is completed. The board also discussed an $18,000 library funding request and asked to tour the library before committing funds.

Other budget matters covered included the assessing/revaluation contract (a five‑year cycle with a cited price of roughly $38,000), and a planned $75,000 roads-and-bridges warrant article. The board agreed these capital items would be presented as warrant articles where appropriate instead of being folded into the operating budget.

The board set next steps: refine line‑item justifications, request additional quotes for building repairs and heritage work, and schedule a public hearing on the budget at a date to be determined in January.