Snow storms, aka budget killers
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Watching closely will be the watchwords for town budgets after the massive snow storms.
Like many towns, Putnam is looking at a winter budget line item overflowing with red ink. Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said Benjamin and Calvin have put the Highway Department budget $170,000 over budget. And the budget for road salt is $45,000 in the red.
In addition to road salt, the budget covers overtime and contracted services (i.e. bringing in companies with heavy equipment).
There is a contingency fund but the town will be watching all the budgets very closely, she said. The selectmen will be consulting with the Board of Finance, too. By the time the town gets close to the end of the fiscal year (June 30), other line items may have extra and the money can be moved. “We are watching all accounts,” she said.

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