KINGFIELD -– Selectman Neal Mc- Curdy said that a representative from the Census Bureau visited the selectmen before their regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 21. The representative was present to discuss part-time, temporary job opportunities available in local communities.

Every 10 years, the Census Bureau takes a snapshot of our population, determining how many people reside within the nation, who they are and where they live. The results help determine representation in government, as well as how federal funds are spent in each community, for examples.

According to the bureau, conducting the census is a huge undertaking. Hundreds of thousands of census takers are needed nationwide to help locate households and conduct brief personal interviews with residents. Most positions require a valid driver’s license and use of a vehicle.

McCurdy explained that the rate of pay for census takers is $13.25 for around 20 hours per week. The temporary position usually lasts six to 10 weeks. The bureau reimburses traveling expenses at 55 cents per mile.

The bureau also provides training for those who are hired and pass a criminal check.

McCurdy said that as many as 40 to 50 people will be hired in Franklin County.

In town business, the selectmen discussed the continued use of the town’s auditing firm. Several proposals were received for auditing services. The selectmen are looking to change firms.

One firm suggested that they come to the town office and scan all financial documents. This seemed beneficial to board chair Heather Moody who said this could allow for less interruptions for the town’s employees who work in the front offices.

The selectmen started the budget process in town in preparation of anticipated budget committee meetings starting on Jan. 4. This year, the process is a bit more demanding due to the fact that they’re dealing with an upcoming six-month budget. Some expenses were simply cut in half while others will fall solely into a new financial year starting July 1, 2010 and ending on June 30, 2011.

The six-month budget is a transition period to phase in a new fiscal period getting away from the calendar fiscal year.

Road commissioner Bruce White was present to discuss his public works budget and fire chief Charles Twitchell was there to discuss the fire department budget.

The sanitation budget was also discussed in great detail that evening and will require additional meetings to resolve. Selectmen Merv Wilson said he’d like to see revenues on the budget sheets. He also stated that footnotes on the budget sheets should be derived on issues that relate to splitting the budgets in this transition period to potentially reduce any mistakes in the process.

Moody said she’d like to look into phone expenses throughout the town departments and the possibilities of using digital phone technology.

While March 6 is the date for the regular town meeting for the six-month budget, the date for the annual town meeting was discussed. It was determined that June 5 will be the date for the town meeting when elections will take place.

This new date and new time to hold the summer town meeting is somewhat consistent with past policies in being the first Saturday morning of the month.

Members needed to pick the date so that the town office can announce when papers can be taken out and returned for selectmen’s seats.

At the June 5 annual town meeting, two three-year term selectmen’s seats will be decided and one one-year term. Moody’s term runs out in June and by the vote of the citizens, two additional seats are now open for a new five-person board.