GOFFSTOWN
-
In a proceeding that was
remarkably free of the contentious debate and heated
argument that has become the norm over recent budgeting
seasons, the Goffstown Budget adjusted the Board of
Selectmen's proposed 2011 budget last night by
$1,888,024, a reduction of 6.12%.
Coupled with special articles currently slated for the
March town warrant, the combined reductions totaled
8.43% from the current 2010 town budget.
On June 15 of this year, the Budget Committee, by a vote
of 11-1-2 in favor, asked the Board of Selectmen and the
Goffstown School Board to prepare budgets reflecting a
reduction of 10% from the current 2010 adopted
budgets. Selectmen complied, but the school board
did not.
Line-by-line details of last night's adjustments can be
viewed and downloaded at www.GoffstownBudgets.com .
Although the committee deliberated on - and adjusted -
nearly 100 individual budget lines, not all of their
adjustments were reductions:
- All requested increases
to personnel salary and benefit lines for 2011, in all town departments, i.e., wages, salaries, etc., were granted
by the committee;
- The Library budget was increased over both the current budget and the selectmen's proposed budget by 4.06%
- The Parks & Recreation budget was increased over the current budget by 2.35%
- The Police Dept. budget was increased over the current budget by 0.43%
The largest reductions
were made to the CIP budget. The committee voted
against approving two new vehicles for Public Works next
year, opting instead to fund $40,000 to repair a
10-wheel dump truck slated for replacement. They
also denied a request for $550,000 for a new tanker/pumper
for the Fire Department, and deferred the purchase of
three new police cruisers to 2012.
In addition, the lack of a special land purchase warrant
article such as one that was approved by voters in March
helped the committee to reach a total reduction of
8.43%.
The Budget Committee will
meet again on Dec. 7th for a final look at - and likely
conclusion to - its deliberations on its proposed 2011
town budget. That budget will then be presented at
public hearing on January 12, 2011.
Reproduced by the Goffstown
Residents Association.
|
