ATKINSON — Almost every candidate for seven races on March 10 told a packed room of residents they would scrutinize town budgets, looking for places to save money.

The two candidates for selectman, Bill Bennett and write-in Valerie Tobin, agreed a fresh set of eyes looking at town budgets could provide savings.

"We have to look at every possible way to save money in town," Bennett told more than 50 residents at a candidates forum at Atkinson Town Hall last night.

Leon Artus' name will appear on the ballot as a selectman candidate, but he told the crowd he was dropping out of the race because he has a lawsuit pending against the town. He did not answer any questions from residents.

Neither Bennett nor Tobin specified which budgets could be trimmed, but both said town government could be more efficient and less expensive for taxpayers.

One area that needs improving, they said, is the town's Web site. Both said a better Web site would make residents feel more comfortable with town government.

Tax cards, department budgets and town purchases should all be available on the Web site, the two candidates said.

"I want people to e-mail me if they have a concern," Tobin said.

She said one of her goals as selectman would be a better emergency management plan to deal with disasters like the ice storm in December.

"It was our own little Katrina here and it was very serious," Tobin said.

But the two candidates challenging incumbent Road Agent Ted Stewart said they knew exactly where to make budget cuts.

Rick Picone and Neil Hamel said they would trim expenses for road salt and for contracted services. Picone said using a mixture of sand and salt, rather than straight salt, could save $30,000.

"I think I can do this and not reduce the safety we've come to expect on our roads," Picone said.

Hamel has an excavation business, but he said he wouldn't rent any of his equipment to the town because outsourcing the work would be cheaper for taxpayers.

Stewart defended the $400,000 highway budget, saying the town only spent $170,000 on winter maintenance last year, the same amount spent in 1990.

"We're doing a lot more work for the same amount of money we did 17 years ago," Stewart said.

Other contested races include Sharon Boyle challenging incumbent tax collector Debra DeSimone and Patti Mangini challenging incumbent Town Clerk Rose Cavalear.

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