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Proposed $300,000 fuel cut fails as legal counsel warns of re-notice requirement
Summary
Councilman proposed a $300,000 reduction to the fuel budget line; legal staff and the BA said the reduction could exceed the state threshold and trigger a new public hearing, and the amendment failed for lack of a second.
At the final council deliberations, Councilman Bresher proposed trimming $300,000 from the municipal fuel line, arguing the town could prudently reduce that expense. Administration and finance staff cautioned that fuel costs had risen substantially this year and that adopting such a cut could require a new public hearing because the change exceeded the statutory 10% threshold for a single line item.
Bresher’s motion failed for lack of a second. Counsel and the business administrator explained that any change large enough to alter a line by more than the state threshold could force the council to re‑notice and hold a new hearing, effectively delaying adoption. The council then proceeded to the final roll call.
