Fire Department and library budget issues gave committee members problems.

LIVERMORE FALLS – Budget Committee members had hoped to complete their review of the selectmen’s budget figures in their first session Tuesday night.

Instead, they spent nearly three hours considering just two accounts, the fire department, which was approved by a four-to-three vote, and the library, which was tabled to the next meeting at 6:30 p.m. on May 10.

Fire Chief Ken Jones explained his requests in detail, defending many balances left in this year’s accounts – over $32,000 as of March 31- the major reason the selectmen had cut his 2004-05 budget.

“I couldn’t spend anything till November due to the cash flow, then I got busy with basketball,” he said.

“What’s the difference when you spend the money, if you’ve got 12 months to spend it?” he asked. “If I spend it in the first quarter, then I have nothing left for emergencies.”

Most of those balances will be very close, Jones said, such as wages, which are paid twice a year, and for other bills are coming in for supplies on order.

Jones said a cut last year in his request for a washing machine resulted in buying a less than adequate machine with no funds for installation. “It was used once, and only once,” he said.

He was also upset that selectmen had cut his budget when he was not on hand to defend it. “Statements were made which were incorrect,” he said, hurting his relations with other departments.

Discussion on wages was the main focus of the library budget, which had been slashed by selectmen. At issue was the library director’s full-time pay for what appears to be a part-time position since the library is open only 23 hours a week.

Roger Ouellette, president of the Library Association, described himself as her boss and noted that she is employed by the association.

He defended her salary, noting that she writes grant applications and performs duties after hours. He also said she had been with the library 29 years and has five weeks vacation.

“She’s not overpaid; she has no health benefits; she puts in a good 45-50 hours a week,” he said.

Former town manager Maxine Bailey noted that she also has three helpers.

Bailey also maintained that the library belongs to the town. “The building belongs to the town. The town buys the books and pays the wages. What does the association do?” she asked.

“You’re mixed up,” Ouellette responded. “We operate the library for the town. The library association is a group of citizens who just want to give back to the community.”

The committee was unable to reach agreement on suggested figures ranging from $43,152 to $49,636, all higher than the selectmen’s recommended $31,802.

Association members were concerned people would not be able to increase that amount at town meeting so Elaine Smith, who served as chairman, will ask the moderator how to ensure it can be done.

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