LIVERMORE FALLS – Budget Committee members were given homework at their first meeting on the 2005-06 town budget Thursday.
When Town Manager Alan Gove distributed copies of expenditures to date, halfway through the fiscal year, he asked them to review the figures, noting those areas that may be in danger of running in the red.
“We’ll be monitoring several accounts for spending levels, due to circumstances that arose after July 2004,” when the budget took effect, he told the group.
These include insurance, specifically health insurance, which is a big budget item and which is still in the bargaining process since all union contracts have not been settled.
Winter roads may be a problem due to the increase in fuel and salt prices as well as the type of storm. “These small, frequent storms are the most expensive type,” he said.
One bright spot in the budget is the lowering of the per-ton cost for tipping fees at Jay but the tonnage is going up because many people are not recycling, he said. He estimated that the $117,000 budgeted may not be enough, since he expects it will go up to $125,000.
The Town Office is trying to economize by changing phone systems but “everything’s dying this year,” Gove said. Just in recent weeks, the cash register and a printer each had to be replaced.
Provision should be made in the new budget for roof work on the municipal building, he said. He also noted that the local economy is struggling, youth sports wants town support on insurance, and the town is trying to get caught up on road construction. These are all things the committee must consider.
The committee members agreed that they will review the figures but they will wait to consider a new budget until the department heads and the manager first present it to the selectmen.
Comments are no longer available on this story