Selectboard advances FY budget proposals, discusses using surplus for fire equipment

The Litchfield Selectboard spent the meeting’s primary block of time reviewing the proposed fiscal‑year budget, running through department totals and revenue assumptions before debating how to present articles at town meeting. Finance staff summarized line items including transfer station, cemetery, recreation and emergency services, and outlined state revenue‑sharing and overlay considerations. One member urged conservative revenue estimates while others argued for more optimistic projections in light of recent receipts.

A motion to adopt the budget was made during the discussion. As recorded in the transcript, the mover said, "I'll make a motion that we approve the budget of two million five hundred thousand six hundred twenty two dollars." The board also debated whether to appropriate $100,000 from the unassigned fund balance into a fire equipment reserve rather than raising taxes, with members noting the town’s undesignated fund balance target of roughly 12–15% of expenditures and weighing cash‑flow timing for warrants. No final town‑meeting vote outcome is recorded in the excerpt provided; the transcript records motions and deliberations to be finalized in warrant language and at town meeting.