PARIS — The number of Budget Committee members was reduced from nine to five and the Budget Committee Ordinance was repealed at a special town meeting Monday night.

Both articles passed unanimously by the five voters, who included the four selectmen.

The ordinance was changed to a policy, which means if selectmen want to make changes in the future they won’t need voter approval.

The ordinance was originally passed by voters in 1991 and revised in 2008.

Over the years, the town has had difficulty filling the nine seats.

Recently, Budget Committee member Mike Risica resigned because of a scheduling conflict, and selectmen worried that the committee wouldn’t have enough members to conduct business for the upcoming budget season.

The board appointed Barbara Sours to the Budget Committee as an alternate. In her correspondence with selectmen, Town Manager Amy Bernard wrote that Sours has worked in the financial industry for a couple of governmental organizations in different states and had skills which could benefit the town and committee.

“It looks like she has great experience she’ll be bringing to the committee,” Board of Selectmen Vice Chairman Robert Wessels said.

At their regular meeting two weeks ago, selectmen appointed Richard Merz and Robert Kirchherr to the Budget Committee. Other members are Peter Kilgore, Debbie Martin and Ray Glover.

The budget workshop scheduled by selectmen for last week was canceled due to the snow. It will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, at the Town Office at 33 Market Square.  

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