Proposed City Budget Public Hearing
May 26, 2010
Mayor Grenier opened the duly scheduled and advertised public hearing in the City Hall Auditorium at approximately 6:30 p.m. The Mayor introduced the City Council. Present were Councilors Remillard, Landry, McCue, Danderson, Evans, Rozek, Cayer and Poulin. Also present: City Manager MacQueen, Blandine Shallow, Police Department personnel, Fire Department personnel, Corinne Cascadden, Planning Board members, School Board Members, Angela Martin-Giroux, Denise Jensen, Mike Perreault, several citizens and members of the press.
Mayor Grenier informed the public that the budget is still a working document. The Mayor and Council are still considering making changes depending on the year-end surplus and they will weigh in on those numbers. This budget has been a culmination of ten weeks worth of work. Council has met with the Department Heads and Outside Agencies for budget sessions to review revenues.
The Mayor highlighted that the actual warrant for FY’2011 is actually down 1% from FY’10 on all items except BIDPA and the Airport who fund themselves. There currently are less revenues coming to the City like property taxes, state grants, school aid, state share revenues which together make up the revenue side of the budget.
Mayor Grenier explained that current revenues are at $17 Million Dollars and this year they anticipate the revenues to be down to $16 Million Dollars. Roughly, half a Million Dollars less will be received in outside revenues from the last Fiscal Year. The State is sending less money which forces counties and municipalities to operate with less money. Although the Mayor and Council worked toward a no tax increase budget, this budget raises taxes by thirty-one cents which makes the proposed tax rate at $30.32 with no alterations to this budget.
The ground rules for tonight’s public hearing were laid out by Mayor Grenier. He emphasized that this meeting gives the public the opportunity to tell the Mayor and Council what they think. There will be no interaction or debate with the Council who are here to listen to the public. It is an opportunity to give the Mayor and Council public input. Questions will be directed to the Mayor who will attempt to answer questions. Mayor Grenier reminded the public that the City Councilors make $700 per year and do this job because they have the best interest of the City at heart.
City Manager MacQueen added that the proposed tax rate that the Mayor mentioned is just an estimate. The City does not set the tax rate, that is done by the DRA who will set the tax rate later in the year. The budget is based on current assessments. The reality is that although the assessments will drop dramatically on residential properties, there should be no difference on the final tax bill. The public should be aware there will be a large drop on assessments and tax rates will rise dramatically.
Mayor Grenier will go down each account number and will read the budget amount. At the end of each account or department, the Mayor will ask if there are any questions from the public.
Outside Agencies:
Sara Peters, 15 Arthur Street, asked what we give the Outside Agencies money for.
Mayor Grenier explained that NHMA fees are for dues. They offer free legal services for the City and it is money well spent. The North Country Council is for planning for Coos County and they played an integral role during the mill sale process. The Chamber Commerce is the umbrella for all businesses and funding $826 is appropriate since they offer support to generate business activities. Northern Human Services is an agency that handles lots of emergency medical situations. They provide services to the community on a sliding scale. The City Welfare budget would be higher without their services. AV Homecare are folks who help the elderly on a sliding scale. CAP is an umbrella of services used in the community. The $13,000 they get keeps people from knocking on the welfare door and saves
the city approximately $60,000. The Holiday Center funds are used to keep the building open for our elderly.
They use the funds to match and attract other money because with some grants you have to supply a hard match. The Veterans Council uses their fund to put together services on Memorial Day, Armistices Day, to honor our military. The Heritage Park fund has been reduced from past appropriations. They have been put on notice that they have to fund themselves soon. Main Street Program is funded one more year but Council has asked for quarterly reports to let them know what happens.
Kristine Lamirande, Northern Human Services, reiterated that their money goes to help 80% of residents who did not have insurance to get them back on their feet and to be a functioning member of community. Her agency has seen a seven percent increase of their services due to the high unemployment rate.
Police Department Budget:
Chief Peter Morency, 1944 Riverside Drive, asked Council to consider returning some surplus back to the department. They went from 10% to 7% and he would appreciate that consideration to help get grants and revenues. He will know the number needed after next Police Commission Meeting and will get a memo to that effect out to Council.
Fire Department Budget:
Tim Hallgren, 349 High Street, supports the Fire Department which provides a necessary service. The rash of fires in recent years, age of the average housing stock, industry and businesses we have here are reasons not to cut money from their budget. The Fire Department proposed budget eliminates two firefighters. A reduction in force is not the prudent way to go and will leave the department understaffed and strapped for shifts and they are already down to four firefighters per shift. He is concerned due to a personal experience he had when a large block caught fire near his house. Although the firefighters arrived quickly, they did not have enough men to use the equipment at the scene. He suggests that the Mayor and Council at least level fund the department, maintain current staffing levels and
don’t put the public or firefighters at risk. Mr. Hallgren thanked Mayor Grenier and Council for the difficult jobs they do.
Jason Vien, 1207 Main Street, acknowledged the Mayor and Council. He said that if the Fire Department loses two jobs there is a chance that one person will leave the area since every year Council wants to cut that budget. They are already understaffed and will not have call firemen to depend on. He strongly disagrees with the proposed budget. Mr. Vien quoted Councilor McCue who said “it would be frightening to lose those two men.”
Street Lighting:
Tim Hallgren, 349 High Street, asked if the City has considered working with PSNH to change the type of street lights we use. It might save money if we switch to another type of more energy efficient lights.
Pat MacQueen explained that we already switched to high pressure sodium which is the most efficient bulb there is.
Housing Coordinator:
Mayor Grenier announced that Andre Caron will be leaving at the end of June 2011. They need to train someone else to keep moving forward on housing which affects several departments like Fire, Police, PWD and Schools. Council cannot leave this stone unturned.
Health Dept:
Mayor Grenier supports the visiting nurse program and the Health Department in the building.
Welfare:
CAP, St Vincent de Paul Society, and other outside agencies assist. Our Welfare Director is good as they get. If they don’t deserve it, they don’t get it. Mayor Grenier is proud of our Welfare Director.
Library:
Council discussed change at the Library and the trustees spoke to the Council. They will keep things as they are due to the recommendation of the trustees.
Pat Tremblay, 699 Fourth Avenue, asked if it would cost more to open the Library on Saturday for kids who need to do homework. He said they could always close down one week night as an alternative.
Mayor Grenier replied that changes would add hours and costs. Council will take his suggestion under advisement and will ask Library Trustees for their input as well.
Debt Service:
The major portion of change here was that the City took a bond issue on capital improvements for projects like Hutchins Street, money from the Federal Government for the phase II Green Street project, School bus and garbage packer. Council discussed the $480,000 unappropriated money for highway improvements to the City.
Cap Improvement Projects: Police expenses, cruisers and Police Department Personnel most in debt service.
School Department:
Mitch Couture, 605 Fourth Avenue, and School Board Chair said the schools will be impacted by the cuts. They had to eliminate ten teaching positions which is hard to deal with. They need $290,000 for 6 teaching positions. The impact of not returning 4 teachers will add more students per class like the Junior High which will have as many as 28 students per class. He also asked Council to reinstate at least $210,000 for Special Education. They are requesting as much help from Council as possible .
Corinne Cascadden, 1787 Hutchins Street, reiterated that in addition to losing 10 teachers they have consolidated programs and will use current staff. Three positions will not be filled and they have made several reductions within their departments.
Coos CountyTax:
No reduction on tax
Other City Funds
Supported by revenues.
There being no further questions on the line items, Mayor Grenier opened the floor for comments.
Paul Guerin, 583 Burgess Street, thanked the Mayor and Council for doing their job. It is great to have services and he appreciates that they are trying to keep down taxes by making hard decisions on what to afford. He is happy they look out for the citizens’ best interest. As a renter, if taxes go up rents go up and he cannot support local business since there is no money left at the end of the week. He encouraged Council to keep taxes at bay so we can afford to live here. That is why this Council was elected.
Mayor Grenier thanked all for attending tonight’s public hearing. That tells him lots of people still care. He reminded people that this is not a final document. Council will be having private discussions to alter the budget depending what the finances look like. The Mayor thanked the City workers for what they do for the City. We are what we are and City employees work hard for the City. To put together a budget and spare not losing jobs is a difficult task. All nine Council members bring their own strength to the table and at the end of the day, they will be happy with the budget.
There being no further comments or questions on the floor, Mayor Grenier declared the proposed budget public hearing closed at approximately 7:32 P.M.
A TRUE RECORD, ATTEST:
Debra A. Patrick, CMC
City Clerk
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