Budget Committee (BC) meeting 24 April 2007, Tuftonboro Town Office

Chairman Wood called the meeting to order at 6:08pm and a quorum was declared.

Attendance: Cook, Eaton, Ewing, Theve, Wood.

BOS: Stockman, Weeks

The corrected minutes of the BC meeting 6 February 2007 were reviewed and a motion was made by Weeks to approve the minutes. Minutes are accepted as presented.

Old business:

There was no old business to bring before the committee.

Wood reopened discussion of Warrant Articles.

New business;

The committee discussed the Selectman's request for one member of the Budget Committee to serve on the Capital Improvements Program Committee.  Weeks discussed the need for volunteers to serve on and work with that committee.  Ewing nominated Woods to be the budget Committee representative to the Capitol Improvements Program Committee.  Second Cook.

The vote was called. Vote 6-0 for the motion, motion passed.

The BOS were asked for an update of items of interest to the Budget Committee.

Weeks- The Gould Property was discussed.  The BOS have purchased the property, which will be will now be financed with a bond.  There will be additional bonding and closing cost, as there were no other warrant articles approved at the Town Meeting requiring financing by a bond.

The Town has encountered several legal issues that require hiring attorneys and the funds in the Legal Contingency Fund have already been used up. Legal funds will have to come from some other part of the budget and more funds budgeted next year.

There was a general discussion the issue of building a new Public Safety Building and a new Public Library.  The general consensus is that the voters of the Town want to make improvements but was presented with too much too soon.

The needs of the Fire and Police Departments were discussed in general.  There was further discussion of this and other related issues and what might be budgeted to present to the voters next year.

By consensus of Budget Committee it has no recommendations to make regarding these issues at this time.

Election of Budget committee officers:

By consensus of the BC members present there should be no change in the officers of the committee until the committee begins meeting to work on the town budget and all members of the committee are present.

Wood recommended the BC start early and elect officers in August. Wood requested an updated Roster of the BC (attached).

Wood - Asked for any further discussion or comments.

The next BC meeting will be called at the discretion of the BC Chairman.

Eaton moved to adjourn the meeting. The BC meeting was adjourned 7:30 pm.