|Debra Smith, NGX|
At a joint workshop on Wednesday evening, the select board and budget committee discussed the two budget articles that had failed in the recent vote. Karen Gilles, newly-elected board chair, suggested that on each item, they hear from the town manager, then the board, then the committee and try to reach consensus.
Taking up the planning position first, people wondered why this article had failed. Linda Chase reported that she had asked people at a recent class reunion she attended, and many people said they had voted no because of the discrepancy between the board and committee’s recommendations. Others had voted no on every article. Gilles clarified for everyone that the discrepancy between the two numbers had not been addressed prior to preparing ballots because there hadn’t been enough time for the budget committee to reconvene. Town Manager Brenda Fox-Howard noted that several positions had been added back into or increased in the revised budget approved by the select board that went to voters, after it was found that there had been an error in revenue projections, and those positions did not need to be cut. Jean Libby, who also serves on the planning board and the comprehensive plan update committee, has always seen the planning position as essential: “It keeps the town growing and growing correctly,” she said. All agreed that the town planner position is essential and should be 36 hours per week with benefits.
Discussion of the assistant librarian position didn’t go as smoothly. In the article that residents voted on, funding allowed for 36 hours for the library director and 20 hours for the assistant librarian. Community members have been vocal that this is simply not enough. The library is open three days a week now for curbside pickup, would 24 hours or 27 hours for the assistant be enough? Budget committee member Penny Hilton said people want 36 hours for both librarians, they have more work to do than they have time for. Joe Bean said he didn’t think adding 4 hours would move people. And then what, what happens if this article fails again? Steve Libby advised, “We can look at this in terms of “what we think will pass, what we think is needed, and what we can afford.” Fox-Howard had prepared a set of figures for a range of hours/ week, and noted that if the assistant is funded at 36 hours, they’d have to also look at the benefits line and adjust that. Peter Bradgon, who was budget committee chair and was just elected to the select board, noted, “If we’re going to be equitable with other departments, it would be 36 and 36. But I think we can get by with less.” Board member Tammy Donovan proposed 30 hours ($24,492 per year). Gilles checked in with each board member, and then each budget committee member, and while some cited lower numbers, the group leaned toward 30 hours for the assistant librarian. The discussion of the library director’s 36 hours went quickly, with all in agreement to maintain that time. In wrapping up the discussion of the library positions, Donovan said that she had just sat in on part of the school board meeting, and the plan for fall includes both all on-line and hybrid learning, with students in school part-time. “Many families in our community still don’t have an internet connection at home, they will need to rely on the wifi service provided by the library.”
State revenue projections may bring the budget back for revision later in the year. But for now, we need a complete budget for the town to operate beyond the 60-day limit after voting day. Questions to be taken up at the board meeting on Monday include if the article pertaining to social security and medicare payments will need to be adjusted (and possibly also go back to voters); how and when to hold a revote, and how to get the word out to voters about the rationale for the new figures, and the plan for voting. Stay tuned!
