Wolfeboro Budget Committee approves $10,000 for code-enforcement software, pauses final review amid contested cuts

The Wolfeboro Budget Committee on Jan. 8 approved a $10,000 addition to the code enforcement budget and suspended the remainder of its final budget review until a reconvening next Monday.

The committee voted in favor of purchasing new permitting and inspection software after Town Manager Jim described the tool as a way to automate inspections and reduce manual workload. "I would entertain $10,000 for software," Jim told the committee, noting the package would interface with the town vatar tax software and help the code-enforcement officer manage inspections more efficiently. Supporters called the purchase a "force multiplier." The roll-call result was recorded as 8-1 in favor of the appropriation.

The discussion was part of a marathon review of department budgets and enterprise funds. Committee members pressed for clarity on where a $15,000 flat reduction in several highway maintenance lines came from; one member said residents deserved to know "what we are not going to do this year with that $15,000." Jim said the select board had asked for substantial cuts and he had tried to find a middle ground between the select board irection and default budget numbers, calling the process "a balancing act."

A separate motion to cut $13,675 tied to hours the town funds at the Chamber of Commerce drew extended debate. Committee members questioned whether the Chamber position represents a town employee and what duties the position performs; Jim said the cost lines represent a town part-time employee who staffs the Chamber desk 17 hours a week. After discussion about vacant positions and possible reassignments, the member who moved the cut withdrew the motion.

The committee also considered a proposal to reduce the ice-rink subsidy (an enterprise fund line) from $69,790 to $55,000, arguing the town may be subsidizing underused ice hours. Defenders of the rink said it supports community recreation and traditions and showed year-to-date rink revenues at roughly $46,000. The motion failed in roll call.

Before adjourning, the committee suspended the remainder of the final budget review to allow staff to circulate updated estimated revenues and a corrected default budget; the documents are to be delivered to committee members electronically the next day. Committee members also reviewed presentation plans for the public hearing and deliberative session, directing Town Manager Jim to prepare slide decks showing key drivers and comparative graphs.

The committee will reconvene Monday evening for any outstanding items, estimated-revenue updates and final preparations for the public hearing. Until then, line-item shifts may be proposed but no final budget vote was taken at the Jan. 8 meeting.