Approved minutes of the Public Hearing of the Tuftonboro Budget 12 February 2008, Old  

Town house.

Chairman Wood called the meeting to order at 6:35 PM and a quorum was declared.

Attendance:  Wood, Black, Cook, Theve, Weeks (Selectmen member)

BOS:  Weeks, Stockman, Duffy

Public:  Approximately 22

Chairman Wood called for the review of the minutes of the previous meeting of the Budget Committee

On February 11, 2008.  Weeks discussed several amendments noted by Theve, the acting Secretary, and

a motion was made by Weeks to accept, as amended, second by Black, passed 5 – 0.  Wood declared meeting in recess at 6:44PM.

Chairman Wood called the Public meeting to order at 7:00PM and a quorum was declared.  Wood welcomed the Public, introduced the Budget Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the new Town Administrator (McChesney), Departments Heads.  Instructions by Wood indicated the each line item of the Budget, as recommended by the Budget Committee (BC), would be read and explained by Board of Selectman or available Department Head.  The public has the opportunity to comment on each item and they should identify themselves.  Barbara Wood complained, again, that the 2008 proposed Budget was not available for review prior to the Public hearing.

4130 - Executive - $108,932.00 includes wage and salary adjustments.  J. Rollins questioned why the stipends for the Planning Commission were more than for the Conservation Commission.  Error was determined and to be corrected.  W. Rollins questioned the Budget process and why there is no difference in lines 4, 5, and 6.  Weeks explained the process in detail.

4140 – Elections - $62,021.00   No Comments

4150 - Financial Administration - $110,202.00   Weeks explained the break out of postage, supplies, Equipment.  J. Rollins questioned expense of postage and phone system with discussion by Weeks.  W Albee questioned increase in Treasurer compensation (23%) with response by Weeks detailing job.   C. Sundquist asked why there were no further breakouts of postage in other departments.  Weeks- this is an ongoing process.

4152 – Property Revaluation - $17,000.00.  J. Simms questioned why there is no capital reserve for this expense to cover the State mandate.  Weeks response that there is a moving target that has no definite time schedule.  L. Sinclair suggested that a capital reserve be investigated.

4153 – Legal - $22,600.00.   Weeks explained the high expense for this item, which is due primarily to the cell tower approval and the ongoing discussions with Time-Warner.  Difficult to estimate the future, increased 10% over 2007.

4155 – Personnel Administration - $365,670.00, Includes health insurance, social security, other benefits.  Weeks indicated that there is minimal control of expense, discussed the separation pay increase raised by W. Albee   J. Rollins raised the question of the payment of retired employees, who are now paid direct by insurance company.  J. Simms asked for explanation of why the 2007 budget was lower than the $335,331.  S.  Weeks indicated that it depends on employee levels.  B. Wood asked for an employee head count and if it has changed.  Weeks said it remains level.

4194 – Government Buildings - $141,162.  Weeks explained the items contributing to the 7% increase detailing the Town house, fire stations, town hall improvements from questions raised by the public.  J. Simms asked where unused 2007 funds were applied and it was indicated that they are applied to the General Fund.  B. Pigott requested information on the CIP recommendation for the $150,000 to capital for the buildings.  Weeks detailed the steps taken to stay with in the recommended capital capacity of $575,000.  Chief Thompson spoke to the planned improvements to existing structures.

4195 - Cemeteries - $18,850.00.   B. Wood questioned need for $8,650 for improvement.  Weeks explained need for fencing and survey for cemetery layout.   Suggestion was made to raise the cost of plots to cover costs.

4196 – Insurance - $50,215.00.  Public asked if this is a bid process.  Selectmen Stockman said not this year but will be looked at next year.

4199 – Other Government - $7,120.00   No Comments

4210 – Police - $285,578.00.  J. Simms requested information relative to uniform expense. Chief Shagoury responded indicating an addition of one officer.

4215 – Ambulance - $105,550.00. Weeks indicated the 10% increase was due to contact.  J. Simms inquired about taking the service over with Chief Thompson going over the cost of service and staffing.

4220 – Fire - $266,023.60.    W. Rollins requested information on the office supply expense, Chief Thompson responded with details.  B. Wood suggested that the overall telephone expense was very high for the size of the Town.  Weeks explained the system and the commercial rate structure.

4240 – Building Inspection - $48,513.76.  J. Simms inquired as to the use of the extra police cruiser.  It was

explained that a new Truck is to be leased and car turned in.

4290 – Emergency Management - $12,500.00    T. Lyon inquired as to forest fire expense with Chief Thompson supplying details.  21% decrease from 2007

4312 – Highway & Streets - $357,225.00.  Question was raised regarding road construction and it was indicated that it did not involve any new road construction.

4313 – Other Hwy & Streets - $3,000.00.  No comments

4324 - Solid Waste Disposal - $315,069.29.  S. Weeks discussed Staff training and certification and increase in salary expense, the increase MSW disposal expense.  C. Pike spoke to the fact that a center can’t make money with W. McChesney indicating that it is possible and we can do better with recycling.  N. Hansen raised the subject of mandatory recycling (pay as you throw).  Weeks discussed the used oil grant of &2,500.00.

4414 – Animal Control - $3,000.00.  No comments

4415 – Health Agencies - $24,096.00.  Chief Shagoury questioned the youth center expense and the move of the facility away from the school.

4442 – Direct Assistance - $30,500.00.  S. Weeks explained the Welfare process and the increase of 36%.

4520 – Parks & Recreation - $33,500.00.  S. Weeks noted the decrease in the budget.  W. Rollins questioned the ice rink expense and it was failure was discussed.  The $1,500.00 expense is to dismantle and discontinue its use.

4450 – Library - $126,340.00.  C. Albee questioned 11% increase and Trustee input.  Expense increase was primarily due to the need for maintenance to the structure.  Salaries are approved by Trustees.

4583 – Patriotic Purpose - $1,800.00.   No comments.

4612 – Conservation – $40,408.00.  C. Albee questioned why the expense for the environmental study of $29,000 and why this is not a warrant article issue. A discussion followed relative to a capital expense, the timing issue, acceptance by the voters, the need for a base line study, and the issue of an on going expense.  The selectmen were requested to investigate taking this line item out and replacing it with a warrant article.  A majority of attendees wanted the warrant article approach.

4619 – Agricultural Commission - $600.00.  No comments

4902 – Machinery Vehicles & Equipment.   See Warrant articles

4909 – Improvements other that Buildings.

4910 – Gifts & Donations - & 1,000.00.  No comments

Chairman Wood opened discussion of the Warrant Articles:

Special Warrants.

Melvin River Dredge -  $10,000.00   Weeks indicated that this a $10,000 participation in a dredge project at the Town launch ramp. C. Pike indicated that there has been an offer to do for free.  Suggested that a letter be obtained relative to the offer.

Lang Pond Road - $225,000.00. S.  Weeks indicated that this was a partial repair and upgrade to the road.  This is a State bridge project, which is reimbursable at 85% when confirmed by the State.  This road improvement will be an ongoing project still in the permit and planning process.

Public Safety  -  $10,000.00.  Weeks indicated that this an expense to fund the Committee (to be formed) expense for an study of needs and concerns for this project.  Report due in the fall of 2008.

Individual Warrants.

Radar Trailer - $8,550.00.   Weeks indicated that a grant would cut expense by 50%.  No comments

Police Cruiser - $37,500.00.  Chief Shagoury gave details of the cruiser.  C. Pike raised issue that we had no officer to drive the vehicle and why do we need it.  Old cruiser is to be sold.

Fire Boat - $80,000.00.  No Comments

County Road - $7,500.00 Weeks explained the need to reduce a drainage problem that effects Sodom Road and change to road to a season road from a class VI.

Special for Tar - $185,000.00.  Weeks indicated that this is the same expense as in previous year.

Air Packs -  $132,783.00.  Chief Thompson indicated that this expense covered 18 air packs and a cascade fill system, which is reimbursed by a grant of $126,140.  Cost per air pack is about $5,000.

A short break was announced with a number of the public leaving and the session reopened by Chairman Wood at 10:00PM to cover the sources of revenue. 

S. Weeks discussed each line item and explained that the Selectmen have estimated the revenues would be down due to the economy and the State intercepting more fees, i.e. boat registrations.  J. Simms questioned Payments in Lieu of Taxes and from other Governments.  B. Pigott asked if the was a Town policy relative to bidding for contact services.

The Public meeting was concluded at 10:20PM by Chairman Wood and the public thanked for their attendance and participation.  Selectmen Weeks requested an additional meeting of the Budget Committee to discuss those items, which need review and correction.  The meeting was set for Thursday, February 14, 2008 at the Town Offices.

Motion to adjourn the Public meeting at 10:25PM was made by Wayne Black, second by Cook.  Passed 5 – 0.

Robert Theve

Acting Secretary of the Budget Committee.