TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FY27 Budget Workshop
Monday November12, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 5:00PM
Minutes
Attendees:
Mike Klopchin
George Ambrose
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Don Pratt
Heidi Congdon
Kimberly Young
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the workshop to order at 5:10 PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Budget Discussion
Recreation – Recreation Budget is at zero for now until we hear from them. Discussion includes the possibility of more activities to be scheduled/booked at the Clarendon Grange/Community Center.
Transfer Station – Recent efforts of Increasing the costs of Transfer Station punch cards along with the adjustment of open hours, have stopped the hemorrhaging of money. Discussion ensued with a decision to leave the proposed budget alone for a year or two in order to gauge any trends. Solid Waste expenses will be level funded as well.
External Audit – An External Audit is discussed as an important exercise to have but quite expensive. Treasurer Congdon would like to get under contract with one and will seek bids to get a better estimate of the cost of service.
Town Hall Maintenance – The maintenance budget here will remain as is. Painting the exterior is discussed. It is suggested that the Administrative Assistant look for bids for the cost of painting the entire building as well as bids to just paint the two sides (south and west) that get the most sun. The consensus when deciding between vinyl siding and painting the existing is the desire to not lose the character of the building.
Benefits – Health Insurance is discussed with the question of interest in adding vision coverage. Costs will be looked in to in order to at least see what coverage expenses would look like in conjunction with deductions per person and the pay increases.
Public Comments
N/A
Recess
Selectman Congdon motioned to recess until November 24th at 5 PM. Selectman Ambrose seconded the and all approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FY27 Budget Workshop
Monday November 24, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 5:00PM
Minutes
Attendees:
Mike Klopchin
George Ambrose
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Don Pratt
Heidi Congdon
Kimberly Young
Shelly Lutz
Jim Austin
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the workshop to order at 5:07 PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Budget Discussion
Listing – The Listers have more required hours and are asking for an increase in compensation this year, especially with the upcoming reappraisals. Their proposed compensation budget will increase by $3,000.
Benefits – Continuing Education expenses will remain the same. Highway endorsements were discussed as being done through Casella.
Public Safety – The Sheriff’s Department is discussed as having an expectation for a budget increase of 6%. All other safety items will be level funded.
Highway – Discussion on the topic of roads and storm coverage ensues. $5,000 will be added to the Roads Salt budget to aid in covering the inflation cost of road salt. There are no major construction projects on the horizon. More grants will be applied for, in particular in regards to paving the middle road. It is mentioned that the Creek Road needs resurfacing.
Public Comments
N/A
Recess
Selectman Congdon motioned to recess until December 8, 2025. Selectman Ambrose seconds and all approve.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FY27 Budget Workshop
Monday December 08, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 5:00PM
Minutes
Attendees:
Mike Klopchin
George Ambrose
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Don Pratt
Heidi Congdon
Linda Adams
Colombe Colvin
Linda O’Brien
Jim Austin
Shelley Lutz
Sarah Kumm
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the workshop to order.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Budget discussion
Library Board – discussed their budget proposal. Questions and answers went well as they went over what their expenses are and discussed current programs offered and keeping the library relevant for our community members. They do not have reserve funds and do limited fundraisers.
Highway – the discussion was surrounding garage maintenance. They need to replace two overhead doors and some efficiencies regarding insulating.
The discussion surrounding vehicle maintenance was what can be done by us vs contracting it out. Misc. reductions were based on YTD current budget status and what was used last year.
Equipment fund discussions turned to talking about potential replacement/status on the Mower Tractor and how we can be mowing our roadsides. Next vehicle to be replaced in 2028 is the 2016 Mack.
Recreation – The rec committee provided a detailed proposal for a level funded budget. The board asked a few questions and thanked the committee for their continued efforts.
Public Comments
N/A
Recess
Selectman Congdon motioned to recess until December 22nd at 5pm, Selectman Ambrose seconded, and all approved.
TOWN OF CLARENDON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FY27 Budget Workshop
Monday December 22, 2025
Clarendon Town Hall @ 5:00PM
Minutes
Attendees:
Mike Klopchin
George Ambrose
Robert Congdon
Cash Ruane
Don Pratt
Heidi Congdon
Kimberly Young
Call to Order
Chairman Klopchin called the workshop to order at 5:12 PM.
Agenda additions/deletions
N/A
Budget Discussion
Garage – In regards to the equipment fund, discussion consists of the Town’s recent truck purchase and truck body on order. With cost increases it is suggested to step up this budget. Culverts and guardrail projects will be upcoming. Other than the increased equipment fund budget, all other garage budgets are level funded.
Cemetery Maintenance – It is discussed that mowing bids were recently reviewed and one was accepted. The budget is proposed to be level funded.
Appropriations – The Clarendon Fire Association budget will be raised in consideration of the rise in costs. The Fire Truck Article budget will be level funded as well as Regional Ambulance.
Salary percentages are discussed and talks will continue more. The option of the addition of Vision Insurance is accepted. The budget will cover it as it sits.
Treasurer – It is decided after discussion to add $25,000 to the Annual External Audit Budget.
Recess
Selectman Congdon options to recess until after the Selectboard Meeting. Selectman Ambrose seconds the motion and it is approved by all.
Call to Order
Chair Klopchin calls the regroup of the meeting to order at 7:20 PM.
Budget Discussion
Town Clerk and Town Hall Expenses – Discussion about the Town Office results in a decision to decrease the compensation of the Assistant Town Clerk. Office System support and Upgrades will increase slightly.
Final Recess
Selectman Congdon motions to adjourn the workshop at 8:03 PM. Selectman Ambrose seconds and all approve.
