TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday - December 12, 2007
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Joe Pitre, Mike Morin, Ann Titus, Gail Ellis, Brian St. Onge, Deb Cantwell and Arthur Capello.
Members Absent: Steve Henry
Selectmen's Rep: Paula Proulx
School Board Rep: Steve Durrance (arrived at 7:40 pm)
Public Present: School Maintenance Director Scott Mooers, SAU Finance Administrator Dan McGillicuddy, Superintendant Michelle Langa, School Board Member Steve Yurick, Curriculum Coordinator Ruth Ellen Vaughn and Director of Pupil Transportation Bonnie Tellis.
Chairman Pitre called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
The purpose of tonight's meeting was to review more school budget proposals for 2008-2009.
A. Review School Maintenance Budget Proposal: Scott Mooers presented the 2008-2009 proposed budget.
1. Scott reported that he reduced his budget by about $42,000 and would have reduced it more if he did not have to insulate pipes and fix the stage ceiling and light fixtures as identified by the state fire marshal (these repairs are in line 10-2620-4302 (2).
2. Scott stated that he got accurate consumption numbers for the heating oil and gas from the suppliers for lines 10-2620-6240 so they should be more accurate this year. It was also noted that the insulation of the exterior hot water lines should provide significant savings in the future.
3. Gail commented that there is $175,000 in the capital reserve fund and wondered if the school board should use this fund for the repairs. It was discussed that the school board feels this money should be used for larger ticket items like the roof replacements. Paula commented that the schools should have a CIP set up for large items. Steve Yurick replied that the school board put forth a CIP three years ago as a warrant article and it was voted down.
4. Scott explained line 10-2620-7332 is for 20 art desks, 5 folding tables, 16 chairs and furniture for a new classroom.
5. Gail questioned why district custodian line is increased and Scott explained the position has gone full-time. He now has 13 custodians and maintenance workers total (5 at HWMS, 4 at HS and 4 at VVCS).
6. Gail inquired why line 10-2620-1162 is up and Michelle replied it is a new hire who had more experience. Gail asked when the contract is due and Michelle replied next year.
7. Mike questioned if this department receives retirement/non-teachers benefit and Michelle explained they are mandated by the state to offer this benefit to employees who work 40 hours.
8. Paula inquired what line 10-2620-4390 (1) is for and Michelle stated it is for new security and fire independent service contracts.
Steve Durrance joined the meeting at 7:40pm.
9. Brian questioned what line 10-2620-4240 (3) Ground Maintenance at HS is for. Scott explained it is for painting of the lines in the parking lot, signs, and fertilizer, bark mulch and flowers for graduation. Deb inquired as to why there is $1200 more in this line than in the other schools, noting the difference couldn't just be the flowers but got no answer.
10. Arthur questioned what hazardous material is being disposed of at HWMS in line 10-2620-4901 (2) and Scott replied it will be for the disposal of the ceiling and lights that are currently above the stage.
11. Arthur asked why there is a $2000 increase in phones, line 10-2620-5310 (0). Scott explained that this line is for all the nextels in the district like the principals, bus drivers and maintenance staff.
12. Mike questioned the increase in the air filters on line 10-2620-6110 and Scott explained that the cost of the filters has gone up and that he will be putting them out to bid.
13. Arthur questioned if the electricity lines 10-2620-6220 are realistic. Scott replied that these numbers are usage numbers from PSNH. Scott also added that the next lines for water and sewer are higher at HWMS because it includes the water for the fields and the two extra buildings.
B. Review of the Pupil Transportation Proposed Budget: Bonnie Tellis presented the 2008-2009 proposed budget and began by informing the committee that the district puts on 169,550 miles per year on the buses.
1. Arthur asked when the lease is up for the buses and Bonnie replied next year adding that she will put a new bus on the warrant articles again this year since last years did not pass.
2. Arthur questioned why 10-2700-8100 Physicals is increased and Bonnie explained that the state requires more certification now.
3. Gail asked if Bonnie is requesting any new positions and she replied no.
4. Mike questioned if there are any mandates on the life expectancy for buses and Bonnie said no, as long as they pass the yearly inspection they are fine.
5. Gail inquired as to why there was a $40,000 withdrawal from the capital reserve fund in 9/07. Michelle explained that it was probably an adjustment from the auditor but that she would investigate the funds.
6. Brian questioned if the buses are rotated for mileage and Bonnie explained she gives the newer buses to the drivers who drive all day.
7. A discussion was held concerning the contracting of pupil transportation and it was discovered that it is cheaper and a lot less of a headache to have our own buses.
C. Review Curriculum Budget Proposal: Ruth Ellen Vaughn presented the proposed 2008-2009 budget.
1. Ruth Ellen explained that the Gifted and Talented Program was added to the budget this year because the program is increasing but the grant funds have not, plus the grant allocation has been cut from $7000 to $1700. Joe asked how many students are involved in the program and Ruth Ellen said about 75 from VVCS and HWMS, though she would like to eventually expand to the HS.
2. Gail questioned as to why the health insurance, line 10-2210-2110 has increased and Michelle explained the number was budgeted at the maximum increase amount of 7.6% in which will be lowered if the increase comes in lower.
3. Brian inquired what line 10-2210-3201 is for and Ruth Ellen explained it is for contracted services for performance tracking to merge what we currently get free from the state and that the line should see about a $4000 decrease in two years.
4. Gail asked what grants she receives and Ruth Ellen explained she gets Title 2A- Highly Qualified Teachers ($107,000), Title 2D - Technologies ($25,000), Title 3 - ESL ($1000), Title 4 - Safe Schools, Title 5 - Gifted and Talented ($1700), Title 6 Word Innovative Programming ($46,000), School in Need of Improvement and District in Need of Improvement ($25,000).
D. Review School Board Misc. Proposed Budget: Michelle Langa presented the 2008-2009 proposed budget and explained the overall budget is down 1.1%.
1. Michelle explained that the legal fees have increased but that they are renegotiating their legal fees this year.
2. Printing services has increased because the professional development forms and new emergency plan packets for the staffs have to be reprinted.
3. Line 10-2520-3200 is for Dan McGillicuddy to attend workshops.
4. The School Resource Officer line has increased slightly because there was an error in the calculation and the district is responsible to pay for 10 months of his salary not 9 months.
E. Other:
1. Mike questioned what the total for the entire school budget proposal is and Dan replied it appears to be $15,176,687.
2. Michelle explained that she spoke with the district's legal counsel again today in regards to the HIPPA laws and releasing information about the cost of insurances and it is their opinion that it would be illegal to do so. The committee compromised to get a list of employees by number instead of name listing their salaries and benefits on one page and then an aggregate list of insurance per school. Gail explained that this committee is not looking to change the costs or benefits but actually is looking for the total cost of each position, including the proposed positions.
Arthur Capello motioned to close the workshop session of the meeting and open the regularly scheduled meeting, 2nd Steve Durrance. Motion carried with all in favor.
3. Deb asked why the schools offer insurance buybacks and Michelle explained it is an incentive for the employees to not use the insurance and save the district money. The buybacks are about 20% of the insurance costs.
4. Michelle explained that the current budget proposals reflect the current salaries of the staff and if the contract passes then any increases or step increases will be in the form of a warrant article. Arthur commented that the 2009-2010 budget will have two years worth of raises included in it to reflect the contract change.
5. Gail requested a copy of the updated budget workshops and Michelle replied she can forward CDs to the committee.
6. Arthur Capello motioned to hold a budget committee meeting on December 27, 2007 at 7pm in the Selectmen Chambers to vote on the school budget, 2nd Gail Ellis. Discussion followed in which the district will have the warrant articles and updated budgets ready prior to this meeting.. Motion carried with all in favor.
7. Arthur Capello motioned to have the Town Budget Proposals scheduled for review on January 16, 17, 22 and 23,2nd Mike Morin. Motion carried with all in favor. Gail requested a list of all the employees and there benefits from the Town and Paula will forward.
8. Arthur Capello motioned to have the Board of Selectmen approved town budget proposals by January 8, 2008 to the Budget Committee, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with Mike Morin opposed.
9. The public hearing for the school budget proposal was scheduled for January 7, 2008. Deb Cantwell motioned to move the School Budget Public Hearing to January 9th with the 10th as the snow date due to scheduling conflicts, 2nd Steve Durrance. Motion carried with all in favor.
Steve Durrance motioned to adjourn, 2nd Brian St. Onge. Motion passed with all in favor.
Chairman Pitre adjourned the meeting at 9:53 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
| 
