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Atkinson budget committee recommends most warrant articles, rejects loader/backhoe and tables treasurer pay increase
Summary
Atkinson's Budget Committee on Jan. 13, 2026 recommended most warrant articles including road repairs and several fire department items, voted not to recommend a loader/backhoe purchase, and tabled a petition to increase the town treasurer's pay. Multiple budget line adjustments were approved; the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Vice Chair Bob Malo convened the Town of Atkinson Budget Committee on Jan. 13, 2026, and led the committee through review of warrant articles, motions and budget line adjustments.
The committee recommended a majority of warrant articles before it. Vice Chair Bob Malo moved to recommend Warrant Article 2026-05 for road "shim and overlay," and the committee approved the recommendation unanimously. Malo also moved to recommend Warrant Article 2026-07 (Fire Department capital reserve), 2026-08 (Building Needs Expendable Trust Fund) and 2026-09 (Highway Department capital reserve); each recommendation passed unanimously. Vice Chair Malo moved to recommend Warrant Article 2026-11 (a petitioned revised tax credit); that motion likewise passed on a 7-0 vote.
A motion to recommend Warrant Article 2026-06 (a Fire Department command vehicle) passed with five votes in favor and two abstentions; Members Deb Cornish and Gene Rizzo recorded abstentions. By contrast, the committee did not recommend Warrant Article 2026-02 (Phase 1 Police Station & DPW): Vice Chair Malo's motion to recommend was seconded by Gene Rizzo but carried only two votes in favor (Selectmen's Representative Wendy Barker and Chair Bill Smith) against five opposing votes.
On Warrant Article 2026-10 (a proposed loader/backhoe purchase), Member Skip Otto moved that the committee not recommend the article; the motion to not recommend passed unanimously.
The petitioned Warrant Article 2026-13, which would raise the town treasurer's compensation, was tabled; the minutes record the item as tabled with no recommendation recorded. The transcript does not specify who moved to table the petition.
The committee also approved two budget-line adjustments. Member Marion Stanley moved to reduce Line 42100.140.01 (Officers' overtime) to $79,256; the motion passed unanimously. Vice Chair Bob Malo moved to increase Line 41501.312.00 (Assessor) to $78,872; Chair Bill Smith seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Member Gene Rizzo moved to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.; Vice Chair Bob Malo seconded and the committee voted unanimously to adjourn. The meeting minutes were submitted by Lena Bistany-Nye.
Votes at a glance: 2026-02 Phase 1 Police Station & DPW — Recommend failed (yes: Wendy Barker, Bill Smith; no: Bob Malo, Deb Cornish, Skip Otto, Gene Rizzo, Marion Stanley) 2-5-0. 2026-05 Shim & Overlay — Recommend passed 7-0-0. 2026-06 Fire Dept. command vehicle — Recommend passed (5 yes, 0 no, 2 abstain; abstentions: Deb Cornish, Gene Rizzo). 2026-07 Fire Dept. capital reserve — Recommend passed 7-0-0. 2026-08 Building Needs Expendable Trust Fund — Recommend passed 7-0-0. 2026-09 Highway Dept. Capital Reserve Fund — Recommend passed 7-0-0. 2026-10 Loader/Backhoe Purchase — Committee voted to NOT recommend 7-0-0. 2026-11 Revised Tax Credit (Petition) — Recommend passed 7-0-0. 2026-12 SoRock (Petition) — Committee voted to NOT recommend 7-0-0. 2026-13 Town Treasurer Compensation Increase (Petition) — Tabled; no recommendation recorded.
Minutes: submitted by Lena Bistany-Nye.
