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Hinsdale Select Board reviews roughly $99,926 in proposed budget reductions and discusses summer programs
Summary
Town Administrator Kathryn Lynch presented line‑item reductions across multiple departments totaling about $99,926; residents and board members debated preserving summer programs and the board approved inclusion of warrant articles 8–13.
Town Administrator Kathryn Lynch presented a package of line‑item reductions to the Hinsdale Select Board on Jan. 27 intended to reduce the town budget without cutting staff where possible.
Lynch outlined reductions by department that the minutes record as: Executive $7,053; Town Clerk $2,296; Finance $19,309; Tax $797; Planning Board $3,483; Government Buildings $3,852; Building Inspection $362; Highway and Parks $23,052; Transfer Station $6,577; Community Assistance $2,957; Community Center $7,549; Water $7,419; Wastewater $8,256; Pool $4,664 (reduction tied to a redesign of job descriptions); and Recreation (sports director hours reduced from 20 to 15) for a reported total reduction of $99,926.
Board members questioned which services to preserve; Selectman William Hodgman described priorities for what he would like to keep in future budgets, and Chairman Steve Diorio said he appreciated the effort to avoid cutting services or personnel. Recreation representative Ann Diorio urged the board to retain summer programs, emphasizing that the camp and pool provide stability for children, pointed to parent testimonials and attendance statistics, and warned that reductions could remove a valuable community resource.
After discussion the board voted to include warrant Articles 8–13 on the upcoming warrant (motion by Hodgman; second Carrier; unanimous). The minutes also note that Article 15, a petition article, will require amendment on the floor.
