Wolfeboro Budget Committee elects officers and confirms 2027 liaisons

The Wolfeboro Budget Committee on April 20 unanimously re-elected John MacDonald as chair and appointed Bob Tougher as vice-chair ahead of the 2027 budget season. The committee also confirmed department liaison assignments and agreed to schedule a work session to finalize how department budgets will be presented to the public.

The leadership votes were procedural and passed by voice vote after nominations. Brian Black moved to nominate John MacDonald for chair, and the motion carried; Brian Black later nominated Bob Tougher for vice-chair, and the committee approved the appointment. During discussion, Committee members referenced statutory allowance for two vice-chairs and asked that Select Board representative Brian Deshaies research the relevant RSA so the committee can consider amending its rules if desired.

Members then discussed and settled liaison assignments for the 2027 budget cycle by consensus rather than formal motion. Assignments include responsibility splits across Electric, Public Works, General Government, Parks & Recreation, Public Safety, Library, and the Libby Museum. The committee noted several members shifted assignments during the discussion.

Committee members agreed that budget presentation format should be settled in advance through a dedicated work session, not decided at the last minute. Administrative Assistant Lee Ann Hendrickson recommended continuing a uniform attachment template used in the prior year to keep presentations consistent. Bobbi Boudman proposed forming a communications subcommittee, potentially chaired by Justin Brown, to develop the committee’s public-facing materials and return recommendations to the full committee.

The meeting concluded with scheduling the next regular meetings and delegating follow-up tasks to finalize the work-session date and any communications subcommittee membership.