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The Budget Committee started off the season with 4 losses—Henry Szymt, Ernest Sheltry, Ronald Yeager and George Peabody. Because of their concern for the town, 3 residents—Brian Levasseur, Michele Conte, and Norman Bouchard—volunteered and were appointed to take over the empty positions and help the committee renew its promise to provide a budget that would help the town maintain existing services, provide opportunities for growth, and continue to thrive.
We come from diverse backgrounds and bring our knowledge and experience to the committee to understand the financial position of the various departments. Along with the department heads, the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen, we questioned, investigated, suggested, and finally put forward for your consideration a budget that will carry the town through 2008.
The proposed operating budget of $7,085,927 can be found in the 2008 Town Warrant as Article P-08-02 and is further explained on the MS-7 State Reporting Form that can also be found in this Town Report. The proposal is $367,578 more than the 2007 approved operating budget. Much of this was due to a 2007 vote that some warrant articles would be transferred into the operating budget.
Total expenses (which would include the approval of all 2008 warrant articles) would increase the total budget by 1.48% from $7,369,759 in 2007 to $7,478,792 in 2008, a difference of $109,033. However, due to an expected decrease in revenue, the amount of money to be raised by taxation has increased by 5.2%. This translates to a tax rate impact of $ .23 per thousand.
The Budget Committee recommends that you review our report and vote to support Article P-08-02 at the second session of the Town Meeting on Tuesday March 11, 2008 at the Pollard School.
In conclusion, I would like to thank members of the Budget Committee and Board of Selectman, Town Manager Jason Hoch, and all the department heads for their cooperation in creating a sound and achievable budget for the town. Although the process may not always proceed smoothly, I believe everyone worked as a team to make the interests of the town and the taxpayers their first priority.
Respectfully submitted,
Janis S. Penta
Chairperson
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