Amended Minutes of Budget Committee
(BC) meeting 27 Nov. 2007, Tuftonboro Town Office
Chairman Wood called the meeting
to order at
Attendance: Cook, Eaton,
BOS: Duffy, Stockman, Weeks
Others: Forrester, Kowalski,
Pounder
Wood asked the BC members to
introduce themselves.
Wood made opening remarks as the
BC Chairman and handed out a copy of his remarks regarding the budget process
(copy attached) and an agenda.
The minutes of the BC meeting of
25 Sept. 07 were reviewed and corrected. A motion was made by Weeks to accept
the minutes as corrected. Passed 6-0.
Old business: None was discussed.
New Business: Wood opened
discussion of the Executive Budget #4130
Weeks - The increase in this
budget line was due largely to a salary increase for the Administrative
Assistant and increased operating hours plus some new stipends for board
members. Eaton Could the stipends for board members be
eliminated? Duffy The Town needs to show some appreciation to board
members so the money would be spent on some other form of appreciation if the
stipends werent paid. Stockman The Town could have an appreciation dinner
for all the members of the boards. Weeks - It has been customary for the Town
to pay stipends to board members.
Cook - Moved to approve the
Executive Budget #4130 in the amount of $109,131.68. Second
Eaton. The vote was called. Vote
Wood opened discussion of the
Election, Registration, & Vital Statistics Budget #4140.
Weeks - The increase was largely
for salary increases for the Town Clerk and Deputy Town Clerk due to completion
of additional training and increased operating hours. There will be four
elections in 2008 so that budget is increased accordingly.
Wood opened discussion of the
Property Updates Budget #4152.
Week This budget is for MRI to
do updates and current revaluation work on a pay as you go basis.
Cook - Moved to approve the
Property Updates Budget #4152 in the amount of $17,000. Second
Theve. The vote was called. Vote 6-0 for the motion, motion passed.
Wood opened discussion of the Legal
Expense Budget #4153.
Week The Town has gone over the
budgeted amount and there are likely to be additional legal problems for the
Town. Stockman Legal expenses are now reported by departments.
Eaton - Moved to approve the Legal
Expense Budget #4153 in the amount of $25,600. Second Cook.
The vote was called. Vote 6-1 for
the motion, motion passed.
Wood opened discussion of the
Planning & Zoning Budget #4191.
Week Planning and Zoning now
employees Vickie Kinnaman 25 hours a month as secretary. There is a new budget
item for postage. The Master Plan Review is still ongoing. Wood BC should
talk to the department head on this budget.
Wood opened discussion of the
Cemeteries Budget #4195.
Week The department head
requested new fencing but the BOS decided to put it off until another year.
Survey work and relocation or removal of the granite post is budgeted. Theve
Asked how many cemeteries are maintained. Week Old cemeteries are mowed
at least annually.
Eaton Moved
to approve the Cemeteries Budget #4195 in the amount of $18,850. Second Theve. Wood Introduced a statement regarding
surveys work and recommended that a warrant article be proposed for that
purpose. Stockman The Town has always left it up to the department
heads to contract for survey work. There was a discussion of survey
issues and how to budget for it.
The vote was called. Vote 7-0 for
the motion, motion passed. The Cemeteries Budget #4195 was approved in
the amount of $18,850.
Wood opened discussion of the
Building Inspection Budget #4240.
Weeks This budget includes a
step increase in the salary for the Code Officer. It also includes lease
payments of a new vehicle for him to drive.
Eaton - Move to approve the
Building Inspection Budget #4240 in the amount of $48,513.76. Second Theve. The vote was called. Vote 6-0 for the motion,
motion passed.
Wood opened discussion of the
Emergency Management Budget #4290.
Weeks The budget is less this
year as the hazard mitigation equipment was purchased in 2007. The forest
fire expense includes the purchase of a new water tank for the truck.
Wood Consider not paying the stipend as it is an additional duty of the Fire
Chief. Weeks The head of Emergency Management does not have to be the
Fire Chief. Theve Are grants an in and out account? Wood grants have
to be in the budget in order for the department to receive them.
Cook - Moved to approve the
Emergency Management Budget #4290 in the amount of $14,400. Second
Wood opened discussion of the
Direct Assistance Budget #4442.
Week - BOS recommends an increase
in funding due to increased needs in the community. Stockman More people are
applying for aid due to the current economic conditions. Theve What
happens when the budget for welfare assistance runs out? Week The BOS
has to pay from the general fund.
Cook - Moved to approve the Direct
Assistance Budget #4442 in the amount of $28,500. Second
Eaton. The vote was called. Vote 6-0 for the motion, motion passed.
Wood opened discussion of the
Parks & Recreation Budget #4520.
Weeks The BOS recommended a
budget reduction.
Theve - Moved to approve the Parks
& Recreation Budget #4520 in the amount of $36,000. Second
Cook. The vote was called. Vote 6-0 for the motion, motion passed.
Wood opened discussion of the
Agricultural Comission Budget #4530.
Stockman Many towns have
agricultural commissions to develop plans for the Town.
Wood opened discussion of the
Library Budget #4550.
Cook Does Library handle
salaries the same as the BOS does for other
departments? Weeks The Library Trust is a separate entity but the Town
writes the checks. Cook The BC should meet with the Library trustees to
discuss their budget.
The vote was called. Vote 6-0 to
table the motion, motion tabled.
Wood opened discussion of the
Patriotic Purposes Budget #4583.
Wood opened discussion of the
Conservation Budget #4612.
Weeks The big change is $29,000
for an environmental study of 19 Mile Brook. Cook Could the BOS
consider it be funded with a warrant article? Stockman The issue is
immediate it cant be funded with a warrant article. Weeks A base line
study of 19 Mile Brook needs to be done now in order to determine any future
impact on it. Duffy If we have good data showing a problem then the
Town can take legal action against Wolfeboro or the State. Wood People
have the right to speak about this issue but the Town must still maintain good
relations with Wolfeboro.
The vote was called. Vote
Wood - Any further discussion or
public comments. There was none.
The next BC meeting was called for
Joe W. Ewing, Secretary
Budget Commitee