Budget Committee Minutes 04.11.24

Present: Jen Richardson, Kimberly Firth, Justin Dohrn, Dawn Gezelman, Beth Downs (Select Board Representative), Laurie Colburn, Tim McKenna

Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm

New Business:

Appoint Chair and Vice Chair

Motion: Beth Downs nominated Jen Richardson as Chair

Second: Justin Dohrn

Decision: 7-0, all in favor

Motion: Laurie Colburn nominated Kim Firth as Vice Chair

Second: Justin Dohrn

Decision: 7-0, all in favor

Assign Departments:

Consensus of the committee is that members meeting with departments helped in understanding the workings and budgetary process in each department. Members volunteered as follows:

Jen Richardson: Library, Town Clerk/Tax Collector/Elections

Kim Firth: Building Code, Executive

Justin Dohrn: Transfer Station

Laurie Colburn: Fire Department, Cemetery

Dawn Gezelman: Highway, Planning/Zoning Boards

Tim McKenna: Police Department, Parks and Recreation, Patriotic Purposes

Old Business:

Review minutes from February 8, 2024 meeting, and Public Hearing Minutes

Motion: Beth Downs moved to accept the February 8, 2024 minutes of the Budget Committee meeting as written.

Second: Laurie Colburn

Decision: 7-0, all in favor

Motion: Laurie Colburn moved to accept the Budget Committee Public Hearing minutes from February 8, 2024 as written.

Second: Beth Downs

Decision: 7-0, all in favor

Meeting Schedule:

The Committee agreed to meet on Thursday, July 18, 2024, 6:30 pm, for the Second Quarter Review and to schedule the fall meetings

Review of Budget and Expenditures:

Laurie asked if there were any areas of concern. Beth answered there were no concerns at this time. Jen asked what percentage of the year has passed. Karen answered 25%.

1st Quarter Expense Review:

Consensus is that expenses are in line with budget.

Revenue Review:

Committee discussed the fluctuations of revenue received. Revenue review will be on the July 18 agenda.

Other Business:

CIP Committee: Laurie will participate as a member of the Planning Board.

Questionnaire Update:

Kim proposed a draft questionnaire. Topics of discussion were the reasons for a questionnaire and the use of the data collected. Kim will take the Committee’s suggestions, find out the best technology to collect data, and present another draft questionnaire.

Adjourn

Motion: Justin Dohrn moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm.

Second: Laurie Colburn

Decision: 7-0, all in favor

Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary from Town Hall Streams