Jaffrey’s Budget Committee has cut another $25,787 from the proposed operating budget.
The committee reduced the recycling center building construction line from $20,000 to $1 on Tuesday, after learning $20,000 had been encumbered from the same line item from last year’s budget to be used this year.
“We don’t see the transparency,” said committee member Kevin Chamberlain, who was against the encumbrance as no specific project had been earmarked.
DPW Director Randy Heglin said there are many projects that could be completed, but he is waiting on direction from the Select Board and Recycling Committee.
In a 4-1 vote, the committee reduced the Recreation Department lifeguard wages line item from $23,788 to $18,000. The funds requested were planned to cover pay raises and enough staff for Contoocook Lake and Thorndike Pond, but the committee decided to drop the line to last year’s approved figure as only $8,462 was expended in 2016. Committee members felt that since the town is having trouble attracting lifeguards, the town should focus on staffing Contoocook Lake this summer.
The proposed operating budget currently sits at $6,389,887. All votes on the budget up to this point have been tentative, with final votes taking place after the budget hearing on Feb. 11.
The committee unanimously recommended all monetary warrant articles, making motions to change two. The board reduced a warrant article asking for $138,018 to be added to the highway equipment capital reserve fund by $18 to create an even number, and reduced a recommended $100,000 for a new capital reserve fund for bridge rehabilitation to $50,000.
The board also agreed to recommend all nine petition articles presently on the warrant. The articles total $82,659 and all deal with local nonprofits, such as the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance and the Community Kitchen.