The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on October 13th at 7pm.  Members in attendance were John David Son (Chair), Kate Stevens (Vice Chair; attend remotely), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Brian Bourque, Tara Herschberger (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Also in attendance were Kim Kleiner, Town Administrator; Karen White, Finance Director; John Brunelle, IT Director; Donna Ferguson, Library Chair; Ruth Ellen Whitney, Library Treasurer; Jeff Blackwell, Building Inspector; Michael French, Interim Police Administrator; Captain Thomas Scotti of the Police Department

Public Input

There was no public input.

The following department budgets were reviewed at this meeting:

• 4241.20 – Code Enforcement
• 4411.10 – Health Department
• 4210.10 – Police Administration
• 4210.40 – Police Support Services
• 4414.10 – Animal Control
• 4550.20 – Library
• 4220.90 – Fire Hydrants
• 4290.10 – Emergency Management
• 4415.10 – Health Agencies
• 4196.90 – Insurance
• 4155.10 – Personnel Administration
• 4197.10 – Advertising & Regional Associations
• Preliminary Revenue Estimates
• Preliminary Default Budget Calculation
• Preliminary Tax Cap Calculation

Business Discussions

The Town 2023 Budget is currently $244,193 over the tax cap, or $419,193 (5.5%) more than the 2022 Budget. The committee will begin voting on each Town department budget on October 20th.

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair John David Son at json@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address for the meeting minutes. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meeting minutes and videos can be found here.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on October 6th at 7pm.  Members in attendance were John David Son (Chair), Kate Stevens (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Brian Bourque, Tara Herschberger (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Also in attendance were Kim Kleiner, Town Administrator; Karen White, Finance Director; John Brunelle, IT Director; Jayson Brennen, Conservation Commission; Diane Plansky, Conservation Commission; Steve Gannon, Rec Commission; Deputy Chief Doug Nicoll; and Chief Frank Fraitzl of the Fire Department.

Public Input

There was no public input.

The following department budgets were reviewed at this meeting:

• 4520.10 – Parks and Recreation
• 4220.10 – Fire Department
• 4215.10 – Ambulance
• 4215.10 – Planning Board
• 4191.30 – Zoning Board
• 4195.10 – Cemetaries
• 4411.20 – Mosquito District
• 4194.10 – General Government Buildings
• 4150.20 – Information Technology
• 4611.20 – Conservation Commission

Business Discussions

The Town 2023 Budget is currently $238,828 over the tax cap, or $413,828 more than the 2022 Budget. More detailed information regarding health insurance and benefit costs to come in the following week. The Budget Committee continues to discuss its roles and relationships with the Board of Selectmen and School Board. The committee will begin voting on each Town department budget on October 20th.

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair John David Son at json@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address for the meeting minutes. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on September 29 at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Kate Stevens (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Brian Bourque, Tara Herschberger (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Chair John David Son was absent. Also in attendance were Town Finance Director Karen White, Town Clerk and Tax Collector Theresa Briand, Road Agent Kevin Brown.

Public Input

There was no public input.

The following department budgets were reviewed at this meeting:

• 4130.30 – Town Meeting
• 4140.10 – Town Clerk
• 4150.40 – Tax Collection
• 4321.10 – Sanitation Administration
• 4311.10 – Road Agent
• 4312.10- Road Maintenance
• 4316.30 -Street Lighting
• 4150.10 – Accounting
• 4152.10 – Revaluation of Property
• 4130.10 – Board of Selectmen
• 4153.10 – Legal Expenses
• 4445.20 – Welfare Vendor Payments
• 4583.10 – Patriotic Purposes
• 4723.10 – Debt Services

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair John David Son at json@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address for the meeting minutes. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on December 9th at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Andrew Cutter (Chair), John David Son (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Kate Stevens, Christina Harrison (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Scott Taylor was absent for this meeting. Also in attendance were School Superintendent Michael Jette and School Business Administrator Cory Izbicki.

Public Input

There was no public input at this meeting.

School Warrant Article Review

The Budget Committee asked additional school budget questions and reviewed the School Board’s proposed warrant article. Details may be found in the meeting minutes here: https://litchfieldnh.gov/budget-committee-meeting-minutes/

The committee discussed the long-standing agreement between the School Board and the Budget Committee to return all funds not spent specifically from the special services budget to the tax payers. Once input from the School Board and legal counsel is obtained the committee will vote on whether to solidify that agreement in writing.

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair Andrew Cutter at acutter@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on December 2nd at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Andrew Cutter (Chair), John David Son (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Kate Stevens, Christina Harrison (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Also in attendance were School Superintendent Michael Jette and School Business Administrator Cory Izbicki.

Public Input

There was no public input at this meeting.

The following school budgets were voted on at this meeting:

• Campbell High School
• Litchfield Middle School
• Griffin Memorial School
• Curriculum
• Technology
• Special Services
• Food Service
• Facilities
• Business Services
• Transportation
• SAU
• School Board
• Human Services
• Salaries and Benefits
• Food Service Salaries and Benefits

Overall the Budget Committee made $14, 257 in reductions to the school budget. Top level voting on the school budget will continue on Dec. 9th.

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair Andrew Cutter at acutter@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on November 18th at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Andrew Cutter (Chair), John David Son (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Kate Stevens, Christina Harrison (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Also in attendance were School Superintendent Michael Jette and School Business Administrator Cory Izbicki.

Public Input

There was no public input at this meeting.

School Budget Review

Superintendent Michael Jette and Business Administrator Cory Izbicki presented the School Board’s recommended budget for 2022-2023. The budget is organized by sections including Campbell High School, Litchfield Middle School, Griffin Memorial School, Curriculum, Technology, Special Services, Food Services, Facilities, Business Services, Transportation, School Administrative Unit, School Board, Human Resources, and Salary and Benefits. The Budget Committee took the opportunity to ask numerous questions. Details may be found in the meeting minutes here: https://litchfieldnh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/BUDGET20211118.pdf

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair Andrew Cutter at acutter@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on October 21st at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Andrew Cutter (Chair), John David Son (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Kate Stevens, Christina Harrison (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Also in attendance were Town Administrator Troy Brown, Finance Manager Karen White, Captain Thomas Scotti.

Public Input

There was no public input at this meeting.

The following department budgets were voted on at this meeting:

• 4130.10 – Board of Selectmen
• 4130.30 – Town Meeting
• 4140.10 – Town Clerk
• 4150.10 – Accounting
• 4150.20 – Information Technology
• 4150.40 – Tax Collection
• 4152.10 – Revaluation of Property
• 4153.10 – Legal Expenses
• 4155 – Personnel Administration
• 4191.10 – Planning Board
• 4191.30 – Zoning Board
• 4194.10 – General Government Building
• 4195 – Cemeteries
• 4196.90 – Other Insurance
• 4197.10 – Advertising & Regional Associations
• 4210.10 – Police – Administration
• 4210.50 – Police – Support
• 4125.10 – Ambulance
• 4220.10 – Fire
• 4220.90 – Hydrants
• 4241.20 – Code Enforcement
• 4290.10 – Emergency Management
• 4311.10 – Road Agent
• 4312.10- Road Maintenance
• 4316.30 -Street Lighting
• 4321.10 – Sanitation Administration
• 4411.10 – Health Department
• 4411.20 – Mosquito
• 4414.10 – Animal Control
• 4415 – Health Agencies
• 4445.20 – Welfare Vendor Payments
• 4520.10 – Parks and Recreation
• 4550 – Library
• 4583.10 – Patriotic Purposes
• 4611.20 – Conservation Commission
• 4723.10 – Debt Services

Overall the Budget Committee made $16,448 in reductions to the budget. The committee will review the Town Budget again in December.

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair Andrew Cutter at acutter@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on October 14th at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Andrew Cutter (Chair), John David Son (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Kate Stevens, Christina Harrison (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Also in attendance were Town Administrator Troy Brown, Finance Manager Karen White, Fire Chief Frank Fraitzl, Deputy-Chief Doug Nicoli, Police Chief Ben Sargent, Captain Thomas Scotti, Conservation Committee Chair Matt Lepore.

Public Input

There was no public input at this meeting.

The following department budgets were reviewed at this meeting:

• 4220.10 – Fire Department
• 4290.10 – Emergency Management
• 4220.90 – Fire Hydrants
• 4215.10 – Ambulance
• 4210.10 – Police Administration
• 4210.50 – Police Support Services
• 4414.14 – Animal Control
• 4611.20 – Conservation Commission
• 4196.90 – Insurance
• 4155.10 – Personnel Administration
• 4197.10 – Advertising and Regional Associations
• 4414.10 – Health Agencies
• 4191.10 – Planning Board

Tax Cap Discussion

The Operating Budget is currently at $7,442,795, a 3.21% increase over what was voter-approved last March. Mr. Cutter commented that the Town has gone from a $5.2 million budget to a $7.4 million budget over the last five years. The Town is only $24,946 underneath the annual Tax Cap. The Highway Block Grant, Revenue Sharing, and State Revenues will influence that amount. The budget will also be affected once the Committee reviews warrant articles that ask for taxation. The Committee must agree on which, if any, warrant articles it would support, and any new taxation can not go over the tax cap.

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair Andrew Cutter at acutter@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on October 7th at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Andrew Cutter (Chair), John David Son (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Christina Harrison (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Absent member was Kate Stevens. Also in attendance were Town Administrator Troy Brown, Chair of ZBA Laura Gandia, Director of Technology John Brunelle, Library Trustee Chairperson Donna Ferguson, Library Director Vicki Varick.

Public Input

There was no public input at this meeting.

Town Business Report provided by Town Administrator Brown

The Town has been working with the Capital Improvement Plan, the School District, and the Library. Impact Fees will be reviewed. The Town planned to use $65,000 of impact fees toward the 2022 Fire Station bond payment. This will be reflected as a reduction in the bond payment budget line, not revenue or an additional principal payment. The bond does not allow for additional principal payments or refinancing for ten years.

The following department budgets were reviewed at this meeting:

• 4241.20 – Code Enforcement
• 4411.10 – Health Department
• 4520.10 – Parks and Recreation
• 4191.30 – Zoning Board
• 4550.20 – Library
• 4195.10 – Cemetaries
• 4411.20 – Mosquito District
• 4194.10 – General Governmental Facilities
• 4150.20 – Information Technology
• 4140.10 – Town Clerk

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair Andrew Cutter at acutter@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.

The Litchfield Budget Committee held a meeting at Town Hall on September 30 at 7pm.  Members in attendance were Andrew Cutter (Chair), John David Son (Vice Chair), Keri Douglas, William Hayes, Derek Barka, Scott Taylor, Kate Stevens, Christina Harrison (School Board Representative), and Robert Leary (Selectmen Representative). Also in attendance were Town Administrator Troy Brown, Town Financial Manager Karen White, Town Clerk and Tax Collector Theresa Briand, Facility Manager Dave Mellen (virtual), Road Agent Kevin Brown.

Public Input

Thomas Schofield commented that the residents of Litchfield count on the Budget Committee. He criticized the Select Board for treating the tax cap as a starting point for the next year’s spending and using current year funds to purchase a police vehicle and fire vehicle that were not planned for this year. He commented that instead of spending excess money at the end of a year the Town should return the money to the tax payers. Mr. Schofield asked that the Budget Committee scrutinize the Select Board as much as they scrutinize the School Board. He compared the $200,000 encumbered by the School Board from their transportation budget to the excess money spent by the Select Board. Mr. Schofield mentioned the aging fire truck fleet, and that he expects the committee members will be watching his money, as he will be watching further Budget Committee meetings.

The following department budgets were reviewed at this meeting:

• 4130.30 – Town Meeting
• 4140.10 – Town Clerk
• 4150.40 – Tax Collection
• 4321.10 – Sanitation Administration
• 4311.10 – Road Agent
• 4312.10- Road Maintenance
• 4316.30 -Street Lighting
• 4150.10 – Accounting
• 4152.10 – Revaluation of Property
• 4130.10 – Board of Selectmen
• 4153.10 – Legal Expenses
• 4445.20 – Welfare Vendor Payments
• 4583.10 – Patriotic Purposes
• 4723.10 – Debt Services

Residents are encouraged to attend Budget Committee meetings in person at Town Hall unless otherwise stated.  Public input is also invited before meetings via email to Chair Andrew Cutter at acutter@litchfieldnh.gov.  Emails must include the commenter’s first and last name and address. 

As a reminder, Budget Committee responses to posts on social media are limited.  Past meetings can be viewed on the LitchfieldTV Youtube channel.