TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday - February 13, 2007
Committee Members Present: Chairman Arthur Capello, Joe Pitre, Ann Titus, Debra Cantwell, Gail Ellis and Selectman's Rep. William Tsiros.
Selectman Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Gerry McCarthy, Martin Gilman and Paul Parker.
Public Present: Yvette Martin (Welfare Director) and Pam Merrill (Finance Administrator)
Meeting called to order at 7:13pm, the meeting started late because the committee was waiting on one member to give them a quorum.
Budget Reviews
Welfare Department: Yvette Martin, Welfare Director, came forward to present her budget to the budget committee. Ms. Martin stated that she works 20-30 hours per week and services about 20-25 families per month. In 2006 she was under budget by $28,000 and she managed to do this by helping residents take advantage of the many federal and state programs available that they did not know about. She is currently working with Welfare Director from around the area to correct numerous issues that need to be addressed at the state level as well. Arthur Capello asked her is she would be willing to cut her budget even more and she replied no because the State HIV funding is going to be cut drastically in March and there are families in town that will need more assistance as a result.
Administration: Pam Merrill, Finance Administrator, came forward to answer any questions the committee has about her budget.
1. Line 8 -(Admin. Sec.) Gail questioned why this raise was more than the 2.5%. The Selectman replied that some merits raises, as well as, some contractional raises were given on top of the COLA, and changes in position raises. All employees currently have received their raises. It was also noted that the Police Department raises are based on the COLA and the step plan that was approved last year.
2. Mileage line was flat funded and will be reimbursed at .485 cents per mile.
3. Maintenance Agreement line includes two payments for the microfiche machine so that the Town is on the right billing cycle.
4. This year the medical insurance went up 8% and Dental insurance increase was estimated at 5%. Pam will not know the correct dental increase until July.
5. Personal Liability is for longevity pay, front desk coverage, outsourcing of payroll and accrued time if someone leaves the employment of the town.
6. Pam stated that there was an increase in retirement for the Police and Fire Dept.s. The Police have gone from 9.68% to 11.84% and the Fire from 12% to 15.92%.
Finance Administration: No questions were raised on this budget.
Planning & Zoning: Paula Proulx reported that the Selectman have contracted Strafford Regional Planning Commission for a few months so that the Selectman have time to decide if a full-time or part-time planner is needed and then to hire one.
1. The salary line for the Planner was decreased because any Planner being hired this year would not expend the full amount to the timing in the year.
2. Arthur questioned if there has been any discussion on imposing impact fees on developers. The Selectman replied that it has been discussed and would warrant a lot of work and legal issues, though the idea has not been totally turned down.
3. A little over $92,000 was collected in building permit fees, this money goes toward paying for the code enforcement officer and more.
4. Master Plan Consultant line was lowered because anyone hired at this time would potentially not have time to expend the full amount.
Building Inspection:
1. Mileage line is for fuel and maintenance for the code enforcement officer car.
2. Dues and Training Line is at $1000. Arthur questioned if this line could be reduced because history shows this line has only expended up to $500 over the past several years. The Selectman explained that before the Town did not have a full time inspector and now they do. He is currently working on his Plumbing & Electrical Certification.
Other:
1. Gail Ellis questioned the bridges budget and Bill Tsiros filled her in on what she missed of Joel Moulton's presentation.
2. Paula reported that the cost of disposing of the remaining playground tires is only $2500 not $6000 as originally thought.
3. Arthur recommended to the Selectman that they consider reducing the Landfill budget by the $2500 that was earmarked for the disposal of the playground tires.
4. There will be a $0.14 tax increase if everything passes from the town and a $0.41 tax increase for the school.
Joe Pitre moved to adjourn, Gail Ellis seconded. Motion passed with all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:02pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
_____________________________ ___________________
Ann Titus, Secretary Date
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