In attendance:
Hannah Warren
Carla Desrosiers
Bill Harriman
David Knapp
Paul Naughton
Anita Hafford

Excused:
Bill Mosher, Judy Redding, Ken Brown, Peter Fletcher

The meeting was brought to order by Second Chair Hannah Warren at 7:10pm .

Preliminary budget information has been generated, and made available to Budget Committee members.

I. Budget Concerns

Hannah Warren stated that she was concerned that there appeared to be little decrease in the budget compared to prior years.  She said that loss of revenue has forced towns and cities around the state to cut their budgets, and so should we.

II. Strategy

Hannah Warren suggested that the Budget Committee and the departments of the town need to realize that everything should be on the table when it comes to ideas for saving money.  She said that redundancies could be found, and efficiencies could be created in collaboration with department heads.

There followed a discussion on how open department heads would be to changes in the preliminary budget that they have put together.  David Knapp pointed out that in the past there has been an adversarial relationship between the department heads and the Budget Committee, while Bill Harriman and Hannah Warren stated that this was not the case in their experience.

III. Priorities

David Knapp pointed out that some of the efficiencies that Hannah Warren had in mind (consolidating phone and internet service, for instance) would take an actual change in the business practices of the town, and brought up the point that we might not have time to effect such changes before the budget was due.  Carla Desrosiers suggested that the Committee brainstorm for money-saving ideas, and then prioritize them with the ideas that may save the most money (for instance cutting personnel)  being explored first.

David Knapp suggested that the Committee first go after the 'low hanging fruit' by examining the preliminary budget and looking or things that stood out, like drastic increases from last year, or money that is not likely to be spent, or things that just don't make sense.

Thereupon, the Committee began to examine the preliminary budget with an eye for these things.

IV. 'Low Hanging Fruit'

-possible savings on the cleaning of uniforms could be explored
-was new 20% insurance premium sharing reflected in budget?
-telephone & electricity up for fire & police dept
-what is policy for cell phones? possible savings there...
-possible savings in rec. dept if user fees charged, also rec director not on town ins
-social services agencies- would be good to see their financial statements
-cut funding to social service agencies (with exception of Brownfield food bank)       altogether?
-what does town get for $12,000 paid to airport? 
-what will rescue look like for fy '11?
-review fuel purchase procedures. Fuel share with SAD72?
-possibly cut police training budget to $2200
-possibly cut 'dues and memberships'
-examine 'comp time' policy
-what if parking revenue (for police dept) falls short?
-hwy dept- sand purchase carry over? stump removal $$ not used? high $$ vehicle maintenance?
-contract (for computer, telephone, janitorial, waste removal) services consolidation possible?

V. Moving Forward
The Committee desired to see supporting data in consistent form which reflects appropriation reporting.  The Committee also would like to see the cost of each employee reported including benefits. 

The next Committee meeting will be Mar ch 22   The Committee will discuss social services, rescue, parks, civil services and contracts (trash, janitorial services, porta potties, mowing, etc) 

David Knapp stated that he must regretfully resign from the Committee.