Atkinson Budget Committee re-votes recommendations on three warrant articles

Chairman Bill Smith convened the Town of Atkinson Budget Committee at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 to re-vote recommendations on three warrant articles that were amended at the Deliberative Session.

The committee re-voted on Article 2026-06 after the article’s appropriation was reduced from $92,500 to $92,000. Chairman Bill Smith moved that the committee recommend the article; Member Marion Stanley seconded. The motion passed by a vote of 4 yes, 3 no. The committee directed that the ballot language be changed to read, "Recommended by the Budget Committee by a vote of 4 to 3."

The committee then considered an amendment to Article 2026-10 that added the words "or equivalent." Chairman Bill Smith moved to recommend the amended article; Member Gene Rizzo seconded. The motion failed by a vote of 0 yes, 7 no. The committee directed that the ballot language be updated to read, "Not recommended by the Budget Committee by a vote of 7 to 0."

Separately, Article 2026-10 had been amended at Deliberative to reduce a tax credit from $4,000 to $2,750. The Budget Committee had previously voted to recommend that article by a vote of 7 to 0; however, the committee was informed at Deliberative that a Budget Committee recommendation was not applicable to that specific article, and the committee concluded the ballot should not mention any Budget Committee recommendation for it.

Member Bill Smith made a motion to adjourn; Member Deborah Cornish seconded, and all members voted in favor. The Atkinson Budget Committee meeting adjourned at approximately 2:35 p.m.

All statements and vote tallies in this report are drawn from the meeting record provided by the Budget Committee.