Chairman Wood called the meeting to order at 6:00pm and a
quorum was declared.
Attendance: Cook, Eaton,
BOS: Albee, (Stockman arrived later)
Public: 2
The minutes of the BC meeting 30 January 2007 were reviewed
and a motion was made by
Old business:
Wood reopened discussion of Warrant Articles.
Sundquist The BC had approved a warrant article, 30 January 2007,
in the amount of $1,992,405 for the construction of a new library. The amount
to be approved by warrant article for a new library should be $2,142,405.
The Library Board requests a warrant article for this amount.
Talbot Move to approve a warrant article for a new
Library in the amount of $2,142,405. Second Eaton.
Cook Due to the divided vote last session, request that
no vote be taken until Black is present.
Black - arrived. The motion was explained and
restated.
The vote was called. Vote 3-4 for the motion, motion failed.
Wood Opened discussion of the sources of Revenue and
noted that line 3917 From Conservation Funds was a reserve amount and it was
increasing. He also questioned what the impact on the Towns budget would
be in 2 years if all the warrant articles were passed this year.
Albee Hard to predict as it is unknown what other
expenses the Town might be faced with in the future.
Eaton If all the warrant articles are passed and bonded
the impact on the tax rate would be as follows:
A 10-year bond would result in approximately a $0.957/K
increase in property tax life of the bond; a 15-year bond
$0.759/K increase and 20-year bond a $0.66/K.
Albee There is a need to consider how bonding these
warrant articles would impact setting up capitol accounts for future
expenditures.
There was a discussion of a new
Wood Asked for any further discussion or public comments.
Wood Called a recess of the BC work session at 7:30 pm.
A Public Hearing of the budget and the warrant articles
opened at 7:00pm. There were approximately 35 people in attendance. Minutes of
this hearing are attached.
The Budget Committee returned to a work session to consider
the total budget of the Town for 2007.
Black Move to approve the total budget of the Town for
2007 in the amount of $2,472,819. Second
No additional BC meeting was scheduled.
The BC meeting was adjourned 11:15 pm.
Chairman Wood called the hearing to order at 7:00pm.
Attendance: Black, Cook, Eaton,
BOS: Albee, Stockman
Public: Approximately 35
Chairman Wood welcomed the people in attendance then
introduced the Budget Committee, the Board of Selectmen and Town
Administrator. Chairman Wood read aloud each line item of the budget with
the Budget Committee recommendation and asked the BOS or department head to
explain or give details about each budget line item. The public was given
the opportunity to comment on the each budget item.
4130 Executive, $105.351 included wage and salary
adjustments. Wages are affected by a 53 weekly pay period for the 2007 calendar
year.
Bill Rollins questioned why there are no figures in the Not
Recommended line. He would like to know what the department heads asked versus
what was approved. Barbara Woods wanted to know if the Town Administrator
receives employee benefits. Jackie Rollins asked why there was no warrant
article to pay for a town administrator. Albee There is no need for a warrant
article as the administrator is still a part-time position. Barbara Wood stated
that $30/ hour was too much to pay a part-time administrator.
4140 Elections, $59,458. No comments.
4150 Financial Administration, $101,697.
John Simms asked what this budget was for. L.Wood - This budget is for the treasurer and tax collector
and includes salaries and office expenses. Wages are affected by a 53-week pay
period for the 2007 calendar year. Bill Rollins questioned the expense of video
taping the BOS and other committee meetings and said he was opposed to spending
the money for this. Barbara Wood commented that she watches or videotapes every
meeting broadcast and finds it very helpful.
4152 Revaluation, $17,000. No comments.
4153 Legal Expenses, $ 25,000. Albee - $5,000 is added to this budget for legal training
of the Towns employees and some committee members.
4155 Personal Administration, $335,331 includes employee
health insurance, social security and other employee benefits.
Barbara Wood asked what employee benefits are paid by the
Town. Nat Crane asked how many employees receive benefits and the cost
per employee. John Simms commented on the cost of health insurance. Carolyn Sundquest explained the budget is for health insurance for
18 employees but 6 employees reimburse the Town. Barbara Wood stated Town
should cap what it will pay for employee insurance benefits in the future.
4191 Planning & Zoning, $ 27,193. Anthony Lyon stated this budget includes $10,00 to pay for a consultant to develop the plan to implement
the new Master Plan.
4194 Government Buildings, $131,440. Albee This budget is for the maintenance and repairs of
the Towns public buildings. Bill Rollins asked if the improvements have
been put out for bids. Bill Kaiser questioned an expense of $15,000 to
replace the 2 sets of doors at the Town Office. Neil Hanson commented on the
increased cost of operations and if the Insurance for the proposed buildings
was in the budget.
Albee Bids will be let when needed and the insurance for
the proposed building is included in the construction cost until they are
completed.
4195 Cemeteries, $12,400. No comments.
4196 Insurance, $39,705. No comments.
4199 Other Government, $6,000. No comments.
4210
Nat Crane, Bill Kaiser, Jim Cubeddu,
Wen Wood questioned other budget items for the
Neil Hanson asked for more police surveillance to stop
speeding in
4215 Ambulance, $95,000. No comments.
4220 Fire Department, $272,029. Fire Chief Thompson explained the budget and indicated the
need for new deliberators and protective suits. Nat Crane asked how many
officers were on salary.
4240 Building Inspection, $44,572. Albee There will be some increase in revenue to off set
this budget as the price of building permits have been raised.
4290 Emergency Management, $15850. Chief Thompson - $6,500 has been allocated to
prepare a State mandated Emergency Mitigation Plan. Bill Kaiser stated the
State constitution prohibits unfounded mandates. Albee The State gives
towns the option to comply or not be eligible for various grants.
4311 Highways & Streets, $336,250. Stockman This budget includes paving the aprons of dirt
roads where they approach paved roads.
4313 Docks & Bridges, $3,000. No comments.
4324 Solid Waste Disposal, $290,814. There was a discussion of recycling and how it could
be expanded. John Simms, Bill Kaiser, Neil Hanson and Barbara Wood had comments
about recycling.
4414
4415 Health Agencies, $25,568. Jackie Rollin, Jim Cubeddu and
John Simms indicated it is important to support agencies that serve the
community.
44412 Welfare assistance, $22,500. No comments.
4520 Parks & Recreation, $39,000. Bill Rollins questioned budgeting for an ice rink.
Neil Hanson questioned why there were no lifeguards at the beach and how it
affects the Towns liability. Nat Crane questioned the Davis Field expense for
swings.
4550 Library, $113,355. No comments.
4583 Patriotic Purposes, $1,800. No comments.
4612 Conservation, $8,200. Nat Crane would like the Conservation commission to be
allowed to roll its funds over from year to year. Bill Rollins stated there was
some years in past the money were rolled over but that were no plans in place
to use it.
4902 Lease Purchase, $66,039 Annual payment a fire truck
and a loader, fourth year of a 7-year lease.
4912 Gifts & Donations, $1,000. No comments.
Total budget recommended $2,472,819.
Chairman Wood opened discussion of Individual Warrant
Articles.
Bill Rollins questioned if the road would still be open
seasonally.
Paving, $185,000. No comments.
Transfer Station, $97,100. Albee This is for construction
to make the facility more efficient and handicap accessible. Mike Phelps
asked if the bids had already been let. Bob Theve
stated that this would be an opportunity to promote recycling.
High Street Culvert, $84,000. No comments.
Mirror
Chairman Wood introduced and opened discussion of the
Special Warrant Articles.
New Library, $2,142,405 Recommended by
the BOS, not recommended by the BC.
Carolyn Sundquist discussed the development and
planning for the new library. Jackie Rollins asked why the Budget
committee did not recommend it. The BC members each discussed their vote on the
issue. Nat Crane stated it is fiscally irresponsible to consider spending
this much for a new library and the other proposed warrant articles at this
time. Barbara Wood asked what the library would do if the voters do not
approve a new library. Christy Sarles indicated
they would still need a new building as an addition would not be adequate and
parking would be a problem. Carolyn Sundquist stated
the library would have to move out and close for at least 6 months to do an
addition and this would cost the Town more than building a new building.
Gould Property Purchase, $575,000. Stockman explained
the Towns interest in owning this property and where it is located. Mike
Phelps indicated that it is a great opportunity for the Town to obtain this
property.
Chairman Wood thanked the people that were in attendance
and those who gave their comments and opinions. He announced that Open
Houses are scheduled at the Library and the Old Town House for the public to
get more information on these warrant articles.
There being no further business to discuss the Public
Hearing was closed at 11:00pm.
Joe W. Ewing
Secretary, Budget Committee