Selectmen Workshop Minutes 2/05/2008

Present: Karel A. Crawford, Ed Charest, Jim F. Gray, Joel R. Mudgett, Betsey L. Patten, and

Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator

Also Present: Advisory Budget Committee: Jean Beadle and Gary Haracz

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m. The Town Administrator reviewed the comparison spreadsheet prepared for the Town Report noting differences in income versus expense projections for Cable. He suggested that the intent was to appropriate sums received, it was best to specify that and set the account as a direct sweep. The Substance Abuse contribution was set to bring it back to the original total.

There was discussion on the need for the Transfer Station monies. A consensus kept the $125k noting it was important to make the windows over to reduce materials handling. There were a variety of questions on various ups and downs particularly with respect to the roads program, ODIS (now containing Land Use, CEO, and Conservation Commission) and Highway (now containing Building &Grounds’ personnel costs).

Mr. Charest expressed his thoughts that the budget needs to be looked at very closely given the currenteconomy. He believed the unexpended monies from FY 2008 show poor budgeting. The Town Administrator did point out the $42,000 less to be raised in taxes in FY 2009 versus FY 2008 (as of thisdraft). Mr. Charest also expressed concerns over the playing fields being developed. In Article #17, and all similar articles, the Town Administrator is to spell out the balance being raised by taxation in words and dollars. The Town Administrator is to split the roof and playing fields article, by consensus, into two separate articles. The Town Administrator was asked about, and explained the reasoning behind the “as a block” language. He said he would check again with DRA and TownCounsel. The Town Administrator was also asked to pare down the credit card ordinance some more.

The Town Administrator reviewed the upcoming schedule: Public Hearing 02/09; SB2 Hearing 02/10 (and Town Clerk’s need to receive their vote by the morning of 02/11 for the ballot); and the warrant on 02/12 (and the need for their votes from that evening in order to get the Town Report to the printer on 02/13).

Motion made by Joel, seconded by Ed to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. All in Favor.

Respectfully Submitted, Approved:

Carter Terenzini, Town Administrator Karel C. Crawford, Chairman