Advisory Committee Present: Terry Abdalian
February 11, 2014 Randy Dinjian
Bob Czekanski
Connie Benjamin
Stacia Downey
Julie Costello
The Advisory Committee met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
VETERANS’ AGENT (543)
Present: James Cabral
After meeting with the Town Accountant the Veterans’ Agent has agreed to go with $12,000 for the veterans’ benefits line item for FY2015. He noted that he will be requesting a reserve fund transfer for FY2014 due to a large one-time payment.
FIRE (220)
Present: John Mentzer
The Fire Chief stated that the current loaner cutters used in automobile rescues is not practical. Since they are loaners they could be taken back at any time. He proposed the following options: purchase the loaner set for $2,500, purchase a better used set for $4,000, purchase a new set for $11,000 or purchase a new set of current technology hydraulic cutter for $6,493. He will be requesting a reserve fund transfer to pay for whatever option is chosen.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION (171)
Present: Carol Gumbart and Brian Berube
The budget requested for FY2015 is $65,200, a decrease of 5% over FY2014 primarily due to no inspections needed for Fyfeshire dam going forward. There were no changes made in the budget. The possibility of using Conservation Fund monies to pay for projects was proposed.
PLANNING BOARD (175)
Present: Erica Uriarte and Jonathan Keep
The budget requested for FY2015 is $52,693, a decrease of 15.2% over FY2014 primarily due to turnover in the department. An in-state travel line item was added for $600 and 5200 purchase of services was reduced to $1,400.
APPEALS BOARD (176)
Present: Erica Uriarte and Jonathan Keep
The budget requested for FY2015 is $650, no increase over FY2014. Meetings 5781 for $450 was removed.
MIS (155)
Present: Gary Perwak
The budget requested for FY2015 is $57,106, an increase of 13.9% over FY2014 primarily due to increase in consultant hours. There were no changes made in the budget. The FY2014 budget is projected to go over and a reserve fund transfer will be requested.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE DISCUSSION
On a motion by Czekanski and seconded by Benjamin, the Advisory Committee voted to approve the minutes from 1/14/14. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Downey – yes)
Other Business:
- The committee was encouraged to review the 2013 Annual Report before it was submitted.
- The Historical Commission will be questioned on whether the work they are doing will create restrictions on homeowners if “historic districts” are created.
- The Ambulance Receipts Reserved contribution to the FY2015 budget will be reduced from $77,500 to $23,000.
- Why the cadet program is not a 50/50 split between Bolton and NRSD was questioned and will be addressed.
- Highway reviewed its wage line item and proposed a $10,000 reduction based on the EMT run rate for summer help. The committee agreed with the reduction.
- Highway looked into renting containers for the transfer station rather than purchasing new ones. It could be done for a cost of $40 per month per container. The equipment line item was reduced to $3,000 to pay for the rentals.
- The SRO will be 100% funded by NRSD in FY2015.
- The committee briefly discussed funding OPEB.
On a motion by Czekanski and seconded by Downey, the Advisory Committee voted to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. (Abdalian – yes, Dinjian – yes, Czekanski – yes, Benjamin – yes, Downey – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Julie Costello
| 
