THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2012
THURSDAY
VOL. 13 NO. 61
THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
Laconia
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After 4 years of austerity budgets, Meredith officials look at what’s next BY MICHAEL KITCH
of
LACONIA, N.H.
MEREDITH — After freezing the amount of money raised by property taxes for the past four years, the Board of Selectmen began considering how to manage a thaw at a workshop session this week. Beginning in 2009 the board
has budgeted to match the municipal tax commitment to the amount raised in 2008. Meanwhile, revenues from sources other than property taxes have shrunk as economic growth has flagged, interest rates have dropped and the state has either reduced funding or shifted costs to cities
and towns. To cleave to the benchmark of 2008, operating expenses have been trimmed incrementally. After meeting with department managers, Town Manager Phil Warren briefed the selectmen on the services and projects that have been deferred during what he called
“the austerity period.” Reductions in staffing at Town Hall, he said, have led to “longer lines and longer waits.” Investments in providing emergency power and enhancing energy efficiency at both Town Hall and the annex have been deferred. With personnel reductions at see MEREDITH page 10
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Year 2 of home cookin’ for Gilford students BY ADAM DRAPCHO THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
GILFORD — There’s a sea change occurring in the world of school food service. The conventional model, which relies on government surplus commodities and pre-made or canned products, is beginning to be replaced by one which serves
food that is freshly-made, healthier, tastier and in some cases, locally-sourced. John Lash, food service director at Gilford Elementary School, is one of the people helping to bring that change to school cafeterias. Starting last year and continuing with this school year, food served to students
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