7:30 p.m.

1. The committee received the Florence Rideout Elementary School Budget. Following the presentation by the School Board the committee and the board had a discussion concerning the teachers contract as well is questions about special education costs. No vote was taken on the budget.

2. The Conservation Commission discussed funding a land acquisition fund for future needs that might arise when opportunities to conserve open spaces or forests might become available. No vote was taken on the request of $50,000 for the fund this year.

3. The Heritage Commission discussed the need for a computer to build up a credible record of historical documents and photographs of the Town’s history.

4. The Officers of the Ambulance Service met to present the adjusted budget request for 2004 along with the required supporting documents. The committee felt that a lot of progress had been made in clearing lines of communication between the service and the committee. No vote was taken on the budget request.

5. The meeting was adjourned. A workshop meeting will be held Tuesday, January 27th in the Town Hall to complete details of the budget in preparation for the Public Hearing on February 23rd.

Respectfully submitted,

Cary A. Hughes
Chairman