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Selectmen’s Work Session November 29, 2007

2008 Budget

Minutes

Approved: 12.3.07

PRESENT: Chairman Weeks, Selectman Stockman, Selectman Duffy, Administrative Assistant Pounder, Administrator Forrester

The meeting began at approximately 7:30 a.m.

Chairman Weeks opened the meeting and immediately made a motion to go into non-public to discuss welfare issues. Selectman Stockman seconded the motion. Vote on the motion was unanimous. (Selectman Duffy was not present at the time of the vote).

The Selectmen moved out of non-public at approximately 7:45 a.m. and continued their work session.

The General Government Buildings budget was reviewed. Figures were added to all Department Head Request columns. The Trash Removal line was renamed to Fire Station Maintenance and included expenses such as trash, mowing and cleanup, pumping the septic, water testing, interior painting, window replacement, and shingle replacement. The Fire Station Improvements line will include the exhaust system and the generators.

Weeks asked that the foundation repair and survey work for the Town House be added to the Pending List.

The Selectmen will review this budget again, once all the changes have been incorporated.

The Insurance budget was reviewed. $27,500 was added in the Department Head Request column/Workers Compensation line. $22,715 was added in the Department Head Request column/Property & Casualty line. The total budget came to $50,215. No vote was taken.

The Capital Improvements Committee budget was reviewed. After brief discussion about the amount requested for travel ($200), the budget was reduced from $700 to $600. No vote was taken.

The Police Department budget will be reviewed at the December 3 work session.

The Ambulance Contract budget was reviewed. The Selectmen asked Lakeside Ambulance to reduce their request from $109,500 to $104,500, which would reflect a 10% increase versus a 15% increase. Lakeside accommodated the Selectmen’s request. No vote was taken.

The Other General Government budget was reviewed. $5,000 was inserted into the Contingency line/Department Head Request column. There was a brief discussion about the JLMC line and stipends received for serving on the committee. Since all the committee members are getting paid their regular wage to be on the committee (either by attending meeting during their regular work hours or submitting a request for payment) it was felt the only additional stipend should be for the secretary. The JLMC request of $1,000 was reduced to $520. The total budget for Other General Government is $5,520. Chairman Weeks made a motion to accept the Other General Government 2008 budget in the amount of $5,520. Selectman Stockman seconded the motion. Vote on the motion was unanimous.

Chairman Weeks asked Cathy Pounder to research what the Land budget was for.

$1,000 was inserted into the Department Head Request column/Gifts & Donations line in the Gifts & Donations Budget. Chairman Weeks asked Pounder to place the Transfer to Conservation Fund on inactive status. Chairman Weeks made a motion to approve the 2008 budget for Gifts & Donations in the amount of $1,000. Selectman Duffy seconded the motion. Vote on the motion was unanimous.

The Transfer to Capital Reserve Funds budget was reviewed. Forrester will ask the auditor about this budget.

Budgets back for review and approval were:

Highway & Streets: Chairman Weeks made a motion to accept the 2008 budget in the amount of $362,425. Selectman Stockman seconded the motion. Vote on the motion was unanimous.

Other Highways & Streets: Selectman Stockman made a motion to accept the 2008 budget in the amount of $3,000. Chairman Weeks seconded the motion. Vote on the motion was unanimous.

Solid Waste Disposal: This budget had been previously reviewed and approved (November 26 work session).

Administrator Forrester asked the Selectmen to formally vote on the Building Inspection budget. It had been previously reviewed, but not voted on. Chairman Weeks made a motion to approve the 2008 budget at $48,513.76. Selectman Duffy seconded the motion. Vote on the motion was unanimous.

Forrester asked the Selectmen about scheduling an interview with Susan Landry for the part-time administrative assistant position left vacant when Lisa Herder resigned. Forrester will schedule an interview for Tuesday, December 4 at 5 p.m., just prior to the 6 p.m. meeting with the Budget Committee.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanie Forrester

Town Administrator