LIVERMORE FALLS — The town will continue to run on last year’s budget until a new budget for 2013-14 is passed at a special town meeting. That means the treasurer can still write the checks and pay the town’s bills and employees.
Town Manager Kristal Flagg sought legal advice on Tuesday to see what to do about the administration article that voters rejected Monday.
The town’s attorney advised that the town can run on last year’s budget, she said.
Voters passed all but the one article on Monday night when they reconsidered six articles that failed at the polls in June pertaining to the proposed $2.25 million municipal budget. The proposal is about $47,000 less than last year’s budget, which was about $2.3 million.
Residents rejected the proposed $197,861 budget for administration by a 32-36 vote. It reflected a $32,695 increase over last year’s budget, mainly due to the treasurer’s position salary being moved from the elected officials budget to administration. The position is no longer elected and instead is appointed.
Concerns raised right after the town meeting concluded was that the town may not be able to pay its bills. It was based on the treasurer’s position not being in administration account last year.
“Until I hear any different, we will be running on last year’s (administration) budget,” Flagg said. “We are not a line item budget so we can do this, including the treasurer’s pay.”
Voters approved an article in June that allows the town to operate on last year’s budget until a new budget is approved.
Selectmen will decide how they will bring an administration article back to voters for reconsideration.
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