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Budget committee rescinds $201,472.90 highway encumbrance; departmental budget changes debated
Summary
The Budget Committee rescinded a prior recommendation to encumber $201,472.90 for highway funds (3-2). Committee and Select Board members discussed departmental budgets including a $30,000 cruiser recommendation, reimbursement for a hazard mitigation project, cemetery tree-removal estimates and a recommended reduction in legal expenses.
The Budget Committee met jointly with the Select Board to review the draft town budget. Committee members corrected executive salary calculations and debated several departmental items.
A motion to rescind the committee's prior recommendation to encumber highway funds totaling $201,472.90 carried 3-2 (Robin, Betty and Marlene voted in favor; Lori and Gail opposed). The minutes record the vote and the revised recommendation but do not record further detail about where the funds will be reallocated.
Department heads presented their budget requests: the town clerk requested increased training funds and a raise for the deputy clerk with discussion of possible retroactive pay; Parks & Recreation raised issues about capital reserve fund withdrawals and DRA guidance and asked that legal counsel be consulted; the executive office reviewed staffing changes and IT support contracts and proposed centralized office supply ordering to reduce costs. The Police Department recommended budgeting $30,000 for a cruiser replacement and encumbering funds to save toward future purchases. The town also reported a reimbursement of $7,442.88 for a hazard mitigation project, noted as 75% of the project cost.
Cemetery Trustees reported a soft estimate of $50,000 for dangerous tree removal and recommended phasing the work over several years while planning gate and gravestone restoration at Kane Cemetery.
Committee members recommended reducing the legal expense line from $40,000 to $20,000 based on historical exposure and reimbursement rates. The committee and board scheduled further review of several items and directed staff to pursue legal and technical guidance where noted.
