[fatlazyless]

Here's a news report from today's Feb 6 Laconia Daily Sun covering last night's Meredith selectboard meeting. With two selectboard positions soon up for a vote, maybe this will be helpfull in learning something about the four candidates; challenger Robert Flanders, challenger Richard Juve, incumbent Miller Lovett, and incumbent Peter Miller.

Hey, isn't the LaDaSun a terrific little paper what with its' in-depth coverage on local government issues, and very compelling writing. It has lots of display and classified ads, plus it comes at my favorite price........it's FREE....just like this totally terrific website......winnipesaukee.com! Here's to another totally terrific thing........freedom of speech!

From the top of of page 1...
................................................

Majority holds firm on proposed Meredith budget

By Michael Kitch
The Laconia Daily Sun

MEREDITH - The two dissenting selectmen - Miller Lovett and Colette Worseman - were echoed by residents who expressed concern at the pace of increased spending when the board held its public hearing on the budget last night. But, after listening patiently, the majority reaffirmed its budget without change, leaving the pair in the minority where they began.
The $12.3-million spending plan for 2007 is 6.08-percent higher than the one adopted for last year.
No sooner had chairman Peter Miller opened the hearing for public comment than Miller Lovett, who distributed a seven page memorandum entitled "The 2007 Budget Can Be Reduced!" before the hearing signaled that he would again seek to persuade his colleagues to reconsider and reduce the budget. "I do have comments to make, but I will reserve my comments and I'll go sit in the audience and speak as a citizen," declared Lovett, leaving the table.
Lovett bided his time during a discussion of the board's decision against making the front-desk position at the Community Center a full-time job, then stepped to the microphone where he announced he was "speaking as a private citizen" as his fellow selectman Frank Michel left the room.
Lovett said that the board had failed to study compensation and benefits, which represented the lion's share of the $706,408 increase in the budget. He said that because the board declined to address the rising payroll without a dialogue with employees "We haven't done our homework on a major piece of the budget," Lovett said. "It is a fatally flawed budget process and must be revisited." He said that he would propose reducing the budget by $100,000.
"My concern is the level of spending," agreed resident Bob Ambrose, who called the 6-percent increase in the budget "signifigant." He explained that the budget process began with the requests of department heads which were pared down by Town Manager Carol Ganfield, whose recommendations were in turn trimmed by the selectboard. "It seems to me that the selectmen are playing the whole game on defense." he said, asking if any consideration was given to beginning with a level funded budget and requiring department heads to justify any increases. " You should be putting things in instead of taking things out," Ambrose said.
When Richard Juve, a candidate for the Selectboard, joined the chorus, selectman muttered "it's candidates night already." Referring to the re-classification of nine positions included in the budget, Juve said "if your job classification is inadequate, change it" and asked what was the cost of the adjustments. Brenda Vittner, the town's financial wizard, came back with the answer of $20,290.
Meanwhile, David Sticht challenged the board's decision to set aside money for future projects in expendable trust funds. "Money should not be set aside without any definate plans for when it will be spent or for what," he said. "It should be in my savings accout earning interest for me, not in the town's saving account." He also questioned the decision to promote the planning director to community developement director and add a position in the Planning Department. Saying he had nothing but praise for Edgar, he remarked that"if he is so over-qualified for the job that we have to make a new one, then we can't afford him. He should go to Laconia or Concord."
Pat Mack was puzzled by the use of $750,000 from the fund balance to reduce the tax rate."Aren't we making the increase look lower by taking money out of our saving account?"she asked. Miller replied that without the use of fund balance, the $750,000 would have to be raised from taxpayers, moving Mack to wonder if it had not already been raised from taxpayers. Miller said that the fund balance consisted of "unanticipated revenues," referring to vehicle registrations fees and the like.
Once Miller closed the hearing, Lovett rejoined his colleagus and immediately moved to reconsider the "bottom-line" and was seconded by Worseman. "What is your motion? asked Miller impatiently, explaining that the board was reconsidering the budget. "Make a specific motion."
Lovett then moved to allow that Vint Choiniere, Director of Parks and Recreation, to transfer funds within his budget to fund a full-time front-desk position, and when no one seconded his motion turned to Miller to ask why the board was unwilling to make an adjustment that would not affect the budget.
"If we do it for one department, we'd have to do it for all departments." Miller snapped. "That's not the way this town works!" With that Lovett suggested the board simply authorize Choiniere's adjusted department budget incorporating the full-time postion."You're saying the same thing," said Brothers, who called for a vote, adding "this is a tactic Mr Lovett is using that is not productive." Finally Lovett, seconded by Worseman, moved to cut the budget by $125,000 and was outvoted by three-to-two.
When the board turned to vote on the budget itself, Miller remarked "this is an opportunity for the board to get on the same page and put a united front to the public."Worseman was quick to counter "sorry to disappoint you," while Lovett huffed "I'm voting no!"

................................................

Thankyou Laconia Daily Sun and Michael Kitch.