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Residents urge Budget Committee to restore library funding and services
Summary
During the Jan. 6 public hearing, a series of residents questioned proposed library cuts and called for restoration of services and clarity on the committee's budget process; the committee restored cleaning services and scheduled a follow-up hearing.
At the Town of Atkinson Budget Committee meeting on Jan. 6, 2026, multiple residents urged the committee to restore cuts to the library budget and to clarify how the committee determines funding levels. John Ottow asked that all boards and committees make use of the town Master Plan, and several speakers framed library funding concerns around programming, staffing and operational impacts.
Residents who spoke during public comment included Gail Denning, who questioned the Budget Committee's authority over the library budget; Michael Boucher, who asked how the committee determines budgets; Kate Rochford, who provided historical context for the library; and Chris Tardiff, who specifically raised concern about a proposed cut to library cleaning services. Jill Ottow cited "RSA 32.5" during her remarks and asked the committee to consider statutory guidance on municipal budget processes. Other commenters (Ann Brenton, Karen Moss, Karen Brown, Karen Trasatti and Kay Galloway) pressed for restoration of library cuts and provided explanations about the library's budget and staffing.
After the public comments, during the committee's budget review the committee acted on several lines affecting the library. Member Skip Otto moved to restore Line 45500.360.00 (Cleaning Services) to $16,070; Chair Bill Smith seconded and the motion carried 6-0-0. Earlier in the meeting Chair Smith moved to delete Line 44150.350.14 (SoRock) from the draft budget; Member Marion Stanley seconded and that motion also passed 6-0-0. The committee voted to reopen the public hearing and continue deliberations at a special meeting set for Jan. 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
The public comments and the committee's subsequent vote to restore the cleaning-services line were the meeting's principal developments related to the library budget. Several residents asked for greater transparency about process and for the committee to heed statutory guidance; the committee recorded no formal ruling on the broader questions of authority or salary lines beyond the specific line-item decisions taken on Jan. 6.
The Budget Committee will continue the public hearing and remaining budget deliberations at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2026.
