Date:  NOVEMBER 4, 2003

Attending:  Chairman Cary Hughes, Stuart Draper, Joyce Fisk, Bill Keefe, Donald McGettigan, David Tierney and Kyra Brennan

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM

The presentation of the school budget to the budget committee was discussed. We set January 27th as the date to meet with the school budget committee and review their recommended budget.  The school board has just entered contract negotiations with the teachers.

The ambulance budget was discussed.  The 2004 request is $28,080, up from $17,640 budgeted for 2003.  Increases are found throughout the budget but paramedic coverage seems to be where the largest jump is.  There is concern over the increase of the operating budget and the lack of supporting documents.  The lack of representation from the Towns on the board of trustees of the service was discussed.  The Committee would like to meet with the Lyndeborough and Temple Budget Committees as well as the ambulance service.  The second week of January is usually when we discuss the ambulance budget.

The Library Budget was reviewed.  The Library has kept their budget request to a 3.1% increase.  The committee was unanimous in their support for this budget and does not feel it is necessary for the Trustees to discuss this request with the committee.

The Wilton Conservation Commission request was reviewed.  The Commission would like to come in to see us in December to discuss their budget.

The Main Street Budget was reviewed.  It is the belief of the board that there is strong public support for the Main Street Association and it is expected that the committee will approve their request for $10,000 this year.

The Heritage Commission request was reviewed.  We would like to have someone from the Commission come in and review their request for a computer & scanner.

The following budgets were discussed, moved, 2nd and approved.
 4921 Ambulance Capital Reserve      $5,000
 4926 Bridges     $ 15,000
 4929 Fire Station Renovation CR $  50,000
 4723 TAN-interest    $  20,000
 4918 Library Capital Reserve  $100,000
 4721 Recycle Center Interest  $  18,000
 4713 Sewer Note – Principal  $19,680
 4600 Contingency Fund   $  5,000
 4711 Recycle Center Note  $12,500
 4414 Animal Control   $  3,050
 4316 Electricity    $22,000
 4411 Health Department   $     800

Some of these items may be reviewed later in the budget process.

The operating budget for the new police building was reviewed.  No action was taken.  This will be reviewed with the Police Department budget.

Stuart proposed the purchase of a 2003 Freightliner 6 wheel plow truck for the Highway Department.  This is to replace one of the 1977 Mack trucks.  The transmission has gone out on the Mack and it is not worth repairing.  The Freightliner is a demo and is set up with a sander and a wing plow.  It would cost $93,000 to buy new.  The idea is to enter a lease/purchase agreement.  Pay $20,000 for it now from the 2003 budget and either continue the lease for 4 additional years or consider a lease buyout in 2004 when we can appropriate the balance.  Discussion followed.  It was moved, 2nd and approved to authorize the Selectmen to move forward with the lease purchase agreement for next year and to expend the $20,000 from the 2003 budget.  The Budget committee would like to work toward appropriating the balance of the cost of the truck in the 2004 budget.  It should be noted the expenditure of the $20,000 will be from monies already appropriated for 2003.  No additional funds are to be raised.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Kyra L. Brennan