In attendance:

Selectman Edward F. Mical – Chairman

Selectman John C. Brayshaw – absent

Selectman Allen C. Brown

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen.

Chairman Mical opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Condolences were expressed for the Brayshaw family and the family of Carther-Lynn Bean.

The Selectmen further reviewed the bids for the printing of the 2003 Town Report. Two bids were received, one from Town & Country and the other from R. C. Brayshaw. The Board reviewed updated information from both parties. Selectman Brown made the motion to accept the printing bid from R. C. Brayshaw for the 2003 Town Report. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0.

The Selectmen opened bid proposals for an auditor to audit the 2003 budget year. Plodzik & Sanderson bid $7,200.00. David Connors bid $5,400.00. Selectman Brown made the motion to accept the auditing bid that was received from David Connors. Chairman Mical seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0.

The Finance Director updated the Long Sheet through the month of November for the Selectmen’s review. Town Offices Expenses are running high. Legal is over budget, Planning & Zoning Board is over, Cemetery lot sales could run over, insurance is over. The Finance Director is still waiting for a billing statement for the monitoring of the wells, which is part of the Hopkinton Landfill closure agreement. The Fire Department will be submitting their yearly calls, which is over 3,600 hours, plus the payment for the jaws for life. After reviewing the long sheet the Selectmen discussed prior approval from the Board of Selectmen for any and all new spending. Any more snow storms from this point on will strain the budget further.

The Selectmen continued their review of the updated Long Sheet to see what monies are available from lines that are not over spent. The Finance Director and the Selectmen reviewed anticipated spending for the next two weeks. A memo will be sent to all departments limiting any and all spending without prior approval from the Board of Selectmen.

The Selectmen along with the Finance Director began the Selectmen’s 2004 budget review starting with the Long Sheet, Government Buildings, Town Offices Expense and Old Graded School. No salaries were discussed. Line items that ran over in 2003 were adjusted for 2004.

The Selectmen reviewed correspondence and signed a building permit for a new home.

Motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.

Edward F. Mical – Chairman

Allen C. Brown