Advisory Committee Present: Christopher Slade
March 14, 2006 David Lindsay
Wendy Rogers
Burt Shnitzler
Richard Fly
The Advisory Committee met at the Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. Selectman Panny Gerken was present for this meeting. Minutes of February 28, 2006 and March 7, 2006 were read and approved.
AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION
Present: Gigi Bonazzoli, Margy Diaz,
Mr. Bonazzoli stated that the wages line item was increased from $25,000 to $35,000 to cover the increase in personnel reimbursement cost per ambulance call.
Town Administrator Jodi Ross confirmed that the Board of Selectmen voted to raise the billing insurance rates. Mr. Bonazzoli asked that the EMT Coordinator line item be kept in the Board of Selectmen budget rather than the Ambulance budget. Ms. Ross stated that the Selectmen had recommended it be moved to the Ambulance line item although the Selectmen will continue to maintain control.
POLICE/COMMUNICATION BUDGET DISCUSSION
Present: Chief Alfano, Donna Hathaway and Lorraine Kenney
The salary line item represents an increase for the recent hiring of the new police chief. The wage and wages-overtime line items represent increases pending contract negotiations including the possibility of a four and two schedule. The building expenses/services and cruiser gas line items show increases due to the increase in energy costs. Chief Alfano stated that the department would be researching corporate discounts for gas with other towns.
Chief Alfano discussed the proposed article for the traffic lights at the intersection of Routes 110 and 117. He stated that there are concerns about the costs of repairing it if it were to fail and the costs associated with police details while it was being repaired. A temporary fix would cost approximately $12,000 for a used controller and battery backup. The cost to replace the existing with a new modular and bulbs would be approximately $20,000. Chief Alfano also stated that there is a possibility of getting some state reimbursement and therefore recommended that the article be deferred to a future town meeting to allow time to research further.
Communications: The wage line item of the communications budget included an increase pending union contract negotiations. The expenses portion of the budget was level funded. The line items within the expense portion of the budget were adjusted to accurately represent the expenses (i.e. computer expenses were taken out of miscellaneous and placed in computer equipment line item) The majority of the costs are fixed costs to maintain equipment to maintain the services.
TRANSFERS
On a motion made by Shnitzler and seconded by Lindsay, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer (#9) in the amount of $5,854.00 for out of district tuition for the second half of the school year. (Slade – yes, Lindsay – yes, Rogers – yes, Shnitzler – yes, Fly – yes).
Town Administrator Jodi Ross informed the Advisory Committee that the Police department budget was short $42,223 in the salary line item and requested that the deficit be offset with a transfer. On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Schnitzler, the Advisory Committee voted to approve a transfer (#10) in the amount of $30,000 to offset the settlement with Celia Hyde and hire an interim chief. (Slade – yes, Lindsay – yes, Rogers – yes, Shnitzler – yes, Fly – yes). The remaining deficit will be placed on the annual town meeting warrant under Article 3 to transfer $13,000 from Free Cash, and transfer $10,000 from Free Cash into the Reserve Fund.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
The Advisory Committee reviewed the draft Advisory Committee Statement for the Annual Town Meeting warrant. Mr. Lindsay agreed to make suggested revisions and will forward to the Committee members for review.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES
The Advisory Committee reviewed the articles as follows:
Article 3: Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Transfers – On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Rogers the Advisory Committee voted to approve this article (Slade – yes, Lindsay – yes, Rogers – yes, Shnitzler – yes, Fly – yes).
Article 11: Purchase of Mentzer Property – On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Rogers, the Advisory Committee voted to rescind their vote of approval of this article. (Slade – yes, Lindsay – yes, Rogers – yes, Shnitzler – yes, Fly – yes).
Article 19: Acceptance of Retiree Health Insurance Statute – On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Shnitzler, the Advisory Committee voted to approve this article. (Slade – yes, Lindsay – yes, Rogers – yes, Shnitzler – yes, Fly – yes).
Article 21: Receipts Reserved for Appropriate Sale of Real Estate – Moen Land – On a motion made by Shnitzler and seconded by Lindsay, the Advisory Committee voted to approve this article. (Slade – yes, Lindsay – yes, Rogers – yes, Shnitzler – yes, Fly – yes).
Mr. Lindsay will work with Town Administrator Jodi Ross on the language of the ballot question related to the Acceptance of Retiree Health Insurance Statute.
Meeting adjourned.
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