Things will be tight but Sanbornton selectmen told town will make it to June 30 without exceeding budget

SANBORNTON — Selectmen last night received an update on a freeze on discretionary spending which they had ordered last week after finding that the town's highway budget might be as much as $20,000 in the red and were told that although things are tight the situation is manageable.

''At this point, if we continue to keep spending the way it is, we should be all right. Our projections, based on current spending, is that we'll make it through the fiscal year,'' said Town Administrator Bob Veloski.

The town's fiscal year runs through June 30.

Concern had been expressed last week by Selectboard Chair David Nickerson that the town wouldn't have enough funds on hand to meet payroll.

But Veloski said that after consultation with all department heads last week that enough funds had been identified to enable the town offset the DPW shortfall.

He said that in previous years, when other departments had experienced shortfalls, the town had used funds from the DPW budget to make up the difference.

''We're going to make it through and still have two nickels to rub together,'' said Selectman Karen Ober, who said that the spending freeze was nothing unusual and is used by many communities and state government itself when times are tough.

Ober had asked for an update from Veloski on the town's fiscal situation after a scheduled update on the DPW situation had been removed from the agenda.

Veloski explained that Highway Supervisor Johnny VanTassel had been at last week's meeting and that his presence wasn't necessary last night. Also absent was Selectman Nickerson, who is expected to be back next week.

The board did approve a change order for work on the Plummer Road Bridge for $6,580 for unexpected problems which had developed. A temporary bridge is being used until the bridge is replaced and a new deck is scheduled to be poured for the bridge early next week.

It also is waiting to sign a new purchase and sales agreement with the real estate agent for the Bodwell property which drops the requirement for a $1,000 deposit by the town. At the May town meeting voters will be asked to appropriate $60,000 for the 4.76-acres of the land adjacent to the current property owned by the town which is behind and next to the Old Town Hall. The property is currently owned by Priscilla Bodwell, Elaine Mitchell and Phillip and Denise Bodwell.