It is with regret that the Select Board and the Budget Committee have accepted Wendy Pinkham’s letter of resignation from the Budget Committee. Wendy has worked in municipal finance for many years and her expertise in the budget process will be greatly missed. Wendy was also very helpful during the transition in office staff and helped out whenever asked. We thank you Wendy for your years of service.
Speaking of the budget process, I would like to review how the budget is created. It is helpful for everyone to understand the schedule so they can appreciate how the information fits into the big picture and how they can participate in the process.
Andover is a budget committee town, which means the budget committee is elected and that it is official rather than advisory. All officers and departments are required to submit statements of estimated expenses and receipts to the Select Board first. The Select Board then submits its own recommendations to the budget committee at a time set by the budget committee. After conferring with all officers and department heads, the budget committee prepares the budget and is responsible for holding the required public hearings, subject to the statutory notice and deadline requirements. At least twenty days prior to the town meeting, the budget committee must forward the final budget to the Select Board for posting.
Budgets hearings are extremely important because these are the meetings at which citizen comments and concerns should be stated. When citizens wait until town meeting to express their concerns, the budget has been finalized. At a public hearing, the budget committee hears the concerns and can discuss them before finalizing the budget. Not only are concerns heard at a more appropriate point in the process but town meeting is more efficient and productive. I encourage everyone to attend the budget hearings. Please watch for the public hearing dates.
On a lighter note, on October 1, Andover will again host the Rail Trail Rally to benefits Special Olympics. New to this year’s Rally is Celebrate the Athletes! This celebration will be held on September 30th from 4:00 to 9:00PM at the Andover Barn @ Highland Lake Inn. Come enjoy a cook out, games and music by DJ Bobby Cormier. The celebration is sponsored by Andover Barn, Tilt’n Diner, Onion’s Restaurant, BJ’s of Tilton, Brother’s House of Smoke and Tarte Cafe and Bakery.
Special Olympics New Hampshire invites runners and bicyclists to participate in the 3rd annual Rail Trail Rally. The event is an all-inclusive event featuring a variety of running and bicycling events and a family festival all rolled into one. People of all ages and abilities from the most avid runners and cyclists to the most novice beginners are invited to participate with choice of a 1.5 mile or 5K walking/running events or a 20 mile bicycling event or the 4.5 mile Family Bike Ride. For more details, or to register, go to sonh.org/support-and-fundraising-events/LESO/railtrail.aspx Check-in opens at Carr Field at 8 AM Come join in the fun!