Meeting opened at 10:30 a.m.

In attendance: Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman, Selectman David E. Hartman and Selectman Richard A. Cook

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen

The Selectmen discussed budget goals for the 2005/2006-budget season.

The Budget Committee met on August 18, 2005. The members began looking at changes in the operating budget, total budget and revenues over the last four years. It was learned that the operating budget increased by 35% over the last four years while revenues have stayed flat. The Budget Committee is looking for the best solution to recommend to the Selectmen for controlling the spending in the upcoming budget.

The Budget Committee is recommending a 3.3% growth in the budget. Chairman Eigabroadt recommends a 5% increase because of all of the uncontrollable increases due to the fuel increases, also added to the budget is the Town Administrator salary. One way to control the budget is to limit the capital projects, and limit the department budgets.

The main goal is to keep the budget as low as possible while still providing proper town services.

The Selectmen will request fuel cost history from the Finance Director.

At this time the Selectmen will recommend that the departments increase their operating budget by no more than 3.3%. Fuel costs will be determined separately. The voters will determine capital projects. The Selectmen discussed the possibility of bonding any future large expenditure like the proposed new fire station instead of funding the project until there is enough money to build.

Board of Selectmen

Wayne Eigabroadt – Chairman
David E. Hartman
Richard A. Cook