The Budget Committee Meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m.
Roll call –Laurie Colburn (Chair), Doug Southard, Beth Downs, Jen Richardson, Tim McKenna (arrived 6:37), Marlene Freyler (Select Board ex-officio), Mel Pfeifle (Select Board) and Karen Hambleton (Town Administrator) in attendance.
Receipt of Correspondence:
- There were no minutes to review at this time.
Review of Warrant Article Revisions that Select Board discussed:
- The Board has reworded Article 3, the Town Hall bond article, to appropriate $150,000 from taxation. This is the amount that the CIP proposes saving in 2022. Another article for $150,000 has been added to the warrant to save for the renovation of Town Hall however the second article would be null and void if the Article 3 (the Town Hall bond/note) passes. In the case that the bond doesn’t pass, this allows the Town to save money in the Town Hall Restoration Trust Fund as outlined in the CIP.
Discussion ensued regarding the bond.
Motion: Laurie Colburn motioned to recommend Article 3 supporting the bond/note for the Town Hall in the amount of $2.6 million.
Second: Beth Downs seconded the motion.
Vote: 6 – 0
- Will be null and void if Article 3 passes.
- This is an article to fund the Fire Department Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. Karen said it had been $200,000 and the Select Board recommended reducing it to $100,000. Karen explained the 10% rule and that the Town can only vote approximately $601,000 more than the Budget Committee recommends. The Department of Revenue will reject all financial articles that push the total amount voted past this number.
Motion: Laurie Colburn motioned to not recommend Article 32 for $100,000 to be put toward a new fire truck.
Second: Beth Downs seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 – 2; 1 abstain
Public Hearing – Laurie opened the public hearing at 7:11 pm.
Laurie read all the line items in the proposed budget.
There was discussion regarding presenting the big picture story at the Town Meeting. Doug distributed some projected numbers.
Laurie will draft up a statement for the Budget Committee and send it out to everyone. Laurie will represent the Budget Committee at the Town Meeting.
Future Business:
- March 8, 2022 – Elections at the Bradford Area Community Center
- March 9, 2022 – Town Meeting at the Elementary School
Motion: Beth Downs to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
Second: Doug Southard.
Minutes submitted by Donna Long, Recording Secretary.