CHINA -- Budget Committee members unanimously disapprove of the selectmen's idea of paying $81,500 for the lot next door to the Town Office.

However, they would support a proposal to authorize selectmen to get that lot -- or either of two others in the area -- for under $60,000.

Monday evening, selectmen added to the warrant for the March 29 town business meeting a request for voters' permission to buy the lot south of the town office lot for up to $81,500.

According to Town Manager Daniel L'Heureux's map, the 2-acre lot at the corner of Alder Park Road and Lakeview Drive is owned by Timothy and Susan Banden.

Budget Committee members said it has been for sale for about five years, with the initial asking price around $160,000.

The six Budget Committee members at Thursday evening's hastily convened meeting all voted to recommend voters not approve the selectmen's article. Although L'Heureux persuaded most of them acquiring land to expand town services near the town office is a good idea, they think the Bandens' price is still too high.

Charles Plumer, the only member unable to attend Thursday's meeting on short notice, told selectmen Monday evening he did not support their plan.

Budget Committee members then proposed an alternative: They drafted an article to submit to selectmen, asking voters' approval to buy the Banden lot, or the next lot east on Alder Park Road, or land north of the Town Office, for a total maximum expenditure of between $30,000 and $60,000.

In both articles, money would be appropriated from the town's undesignated fund balance, rather than taken from taxation.

If selectmen accept the Budget Committee's article as a substitute for their proposal, the Budget Committee recommends voters approve it.

The next selectmen's meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19.

L'Heureux was not sure the town meeting warrant could be included in the annual town report if selectmen do not put it in final form until Feb. 19.

Nor does he know whether the other two landowners have any interest in selling to the town.