Town of Atkinson
Budget Committee Meeting Minutes
October 6, 2009
Attending: Jim Blackadar – Chairman, Steve Giangregorio Vice Chairman, Dave Paquette, Fred Thompson, Valerie Tobin, Harold Morse, Bill Bennett ex-oficio
Jim called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM. The Board reviewed the minutes of the May 19, 2009 meeting.
Steve motioned to accept the minutes as presented/Seconded by Dave/Unanimous 4-0 (Fred and Valerie abstained)
Jim informed the Board that the letter we received from the State Dept of Revenue did not identify any issues with the MS-01 submitted last year.
The Board discussed goals and objectives for the coming year. The following is what was discussed:
Reduce the operating budget by 5% (starting point)
Look into changing insurance carriers (for Selectmen)
The Board prepared the preliminary schedule for Department Heads to present their budgets as follows:
October 20 – Highway, Recycling, Waste Disposal, Planning & Zoning, Building Inspectors
October 27 - Police, Elderly Affairs & Cable
November 3 - General Government Buildings, Town Clerk, Elections & Registration & Moderator
November 10 - Library, Cemetery
November 17 – Fire, Hospital/Ambulance, Homeland Security, Recreation, Community Center & Memorial Day
November 24 - Town Administrator
The Board will invite the new Town Administrator to the next meeting.
The Board briefly reviewed the Technology Committee’s report. Jim provided an overview of the recommendations. The consensus is that the Board will have to wait until the Selectmen determine how much, if any of the recommendations will be put forward. The Tech Committee did submit a listing of questions to the Board. Jim discussed them briefly and offered to answer the questions, the Board agreed. In addition, The Board asked Jim to have the Tech Committee provide cost estimates for their recommendations. Jim will email his comments to the Tech Committee and all of the Board members.
Next, the Board discussed the Energy Committee’s report. Jim provided a brief overview of their recommendations. Dave stated that they are really trying to get the word out for the residents to save energy.
The next meeting will be on October 20, 2009 at 7:00 PM.
Fred motioned to adjourn the meeting/Seconded by Harold/Unanimous 7-0. Jim adjourned the meeting at 8:36 PM.
Respectively submitted,
kjb