TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday - January 23, 2008
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Joe Pitre, Ann Titus, Gail Ellis, Brian St. Onge, Steve Henry, Debra Cantwell (arrived at 7:35 pm) and Arthur Capello (arrived at 9:26 pm).
Members Absent: Mike Morin
Selectmen's Rep: Paula Proulx
School Board Rep: Steve Durrance
Town Staff Present: Fire Chief Richard Fowler, Superintendent of Schools Michelle Langa, SAU Finance Administrator Dan McGillicuddy, Police Chief Scott Roberge, Lt. Kevin Willey
Public Present: Cyndi Paulin, Selectman Joan Funk and Charlie King
Chairman Pitre called the meeting to order at 7:19 pm after a brief meeting with legal counsel to clarify some concerns.
1. Discussion with Preservation Guild:
A. Cyndi Paulin explained to the committee that the first year the Preservation Guild was started they were under a CDBG Grant. Then the second year of operation, the Guild was on the warrant for funding because it was a new program to the tax base; it passed with over 75% of the voters in favor. This year the Selectmen felt comfortable that the voters would approve so they reflected the funding in the operational budget.
Cyndi also explained what the Guild does to bring the community together for different projects. The most recent project was the town committee they organized to apply for the safe routes to school grant that the town was awarded just under $70,000 for. Right now the Guild is helping with the 21st Century Grant for $250,000 to fund after school activities.
B. Brian asked if the Guild receives any direct funding from grants and Cyndi replied they do get a grant from NH Charities.
C. Steve H. asked what the Guild has planned for the upcoming year. Cyndi responded that they will continue the work they have historically been doing like family counseling programs, a community heritage program, adult education classes and the 21st Century Grant. Steve H. asked what the Guild will do if the warrant does not pass and Cyndi responded that there will not be a program because the state will not fund a grant for a program that it's own town does value.
Deb Cantwell arrived at 7:35 pm.
2. Review Fire Department Budget: Fire Chief Rich Fowler presenting
A. Rich explained to the committee that his original proposal to the Selectman was to change the current three part-time positions to full-time to provide quality PM ambulance service. Rich stated that currently it takes a volunteer 8-9 minutes to reach the station during the night for ambulance calls (because of where they live) and then they have to drive to the call, for a total of 18-20 minutes before they arrive on seen. The Selectmen approved 1 full-time position and 3 part-time. He added that they have had 84 calls since 12/31/07.
B. Joe asked for a print out of when calls come in and Rich said he could get it.
C. Steve D. asked what the cost of the full-time position is for the year and Rich replied $55,600, which includes all benefits.
D. Steve H. questioned what the coverage is during the day. Rich explained there is a minimum of two on the day shift, though generally 3-4 and with this new position there will be someone at the station overnight.
E. Joe inquired if the station gets much revenue and Rich replied they received $122,000 in 2007 and a rate increase was just approved by the Selectmen.
F. Deb questioned line 24 and 25 (uniforms and protective clothing). Rich explained that the uniforms will be for himself, the new full-time person and the 3 part-time people and the he cut the protective clothing line by one set of gear because he is caught up on them. Steve H. asked if line 24 (uniforms) is enough and Rich replied yes.
G. Deb inquired as to why line 27 (Americorp Grant) has doubled and Rich explained that he is budgeting for a full year this year and noted that the Town is getting two full time people at just $12,000.
3. Review Police Department Budget: Police Chief Scott Roberge and Lt. Kevin Willey presenting
A. Joe asked why the overtime was cut. Scott replied that the Selectman cut this line because he did not spend it all in 2007. He then further explained that when he considers his budget throughout the year, he watches each line to make sure he doesn't over expend but he in the event a line is over expended like the gas was in 2007 he departmentally cuts the overtime line to balance the over expenditure for the bottom line. Scott added that the overtime line is the only place in his budget where he has some control as to whether it is spent or not, by not running special programs, like car seat checks and a downtown bicycle officer.
B. Joe asked why the increase in salary. Scott replied that this reflects the step plan that was approved by the Selectmen, Budget Committee and the town a few years ago, noting that it works very well and their turnover has ceased.
C. Joe inquired as to why mileage is up. Scott replied that the juvenile court moved to Dover so it is further away. Steve H. questioned if time in court is at time and a half and Scott replied yes, unless they are on shift and that the courts do reimburse $30 an appearance.
D. Steve H. asked what the department is looking for in new equipment. Scott replied that $5,000 is for a new server, upgrades for the PC units based on digital imaging and a new digital camera.
Gail Ellis arrived at 8:17 pm.
E. Joe questioned how many cruisers the department is looking for? Scott explained that he asked for two because he has three cruisers with over 100,000 miles, which in a normal vehicle is fine, but in cruisers due to the long idling times, rapid starts and stops and that they are loaded with about 1000lbs. of equipment it is not reasonable. Scott stated that the Selectmen authorized one cruiser and him being able to keep an old one.
F. Steve D. asked where and when does he see the most crime happening. Scott said high crime time used to be in the summer but now he is not sure there really is a quite time.
Review Animal Control Budget: Police Chief Scott Roberge presenting.
1. Brian asked if the town gets reimbursed for animal sheltering costs and Scott replied yes, the town retrieves the fines for the animals being picked up.
Meeting recessed at 8:37 pm and reconvened at 8:43pm.
School Budget and Warrant Review:
1. Ms. Langa provided a printout of the grants the schools receive and an explanation of the grant process.
2. Ms. Langa explained that an error was found in one of the excel cells and the new default budget total is $15,125,909.70. Ms. Langa added that the MS-27 was revised as well.
3. Steve H. stated that in looking in the School Board budget he noticed there used to be a line for salary adjustments but now there is not, he inquired as to why. Ms. Langa explained that the school board made the decision that they would not entertain requests for raises that came through during the school year. She also added that the SAU has a salary adjustment line of $5,000 for non-contract employees.
4. Joe asked how many people are effected, and at what cost, if the budget committee decided to change the salary increase for the non-contract employees to 3% from 2.3%. Dan M. responded that the line would include 25 people for a difference of $8,025 and the increase would not go into effect until 7/1/08.
5. Joe asked if there has been any effort to get non-contract employees on a step plan for salary and Ms. Langa replied that it is something the school board is currently working on.
6. Deb asked if Ms. Langa found out what line 10-2520-5315(utilities) was for in the school board budget. Ms. Langa explained that it is a "place holder" because in the past they have not had to pay for an internet connection but they are not sure when they might need it. Deb inquired if they are planning to move in 2008-2009 and expend the line. Steve D. replied that it has been discussed by the school board. Deb responded if that is the case then won't the rent line go up. Mr. Langa replied that they have a ten year lease with the town that is up in 1009-2010 in which they are currently paying $40,000 a year, so they are looking for a cheaper, more viable location. Brian asked if this was the only moving expense in the budget and Ms. Langa replied yes. Steve
D. added that any other moving expenses would be in the SAU budget. Ann commented that maybe the funds should be placed in capital reserve. Deb added that this is an SAU expense not a school board expense. Deb Cantwell motioned to reduce line 10-2520-5315 (utilities) in the school board budget to $1.00, 2nd Gail Ellis. Roll Call - Deb Cantwell (yes), Joe Pitre (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Steve Henry (yes), Brian St. Onge (yes), Ann Titus (no), Paula Proulx (yes), Mike Morin (yes) and Steve Durrance (no). Motion carried.
7. Steve Durrance motioned to put all non-bargaining employees' raises back to 3%, 2nd Steve Henry. Discussion followed in which Deb Cantwell offered a friendly amendment that the raises include only those who contribute to their benefits. Steve D. commented that it seems Deb is targeting the principals and Deb responded that she does not feel they should get a raise if they don't contribute to their benefits. Gail added that there is a difference between someone at $20,000 get a 3% raise and someone at $70,000 getting a 3% raise. Ms. Langa commented that all the staff is underpaid when comparing to surrounding communities and they offer the benefits to keep the current staff they have. Gail responded the raises should be equal. Steve D. stated he feels this a
fair compromise when the town is proposing a 4.2% raise. Deb commented that the budget committee is just holding the schools to the raise numbers from social security they have been quoting to utilize for the past several years. Dan M. added that when the budget was originally put together the social security raise was 3% but it changes month to month. Steve Durrance and Steve Henry both refused the friendly amendment. Roll Call - Deb Cantwell (no), Joe Pitre (abstain), Gail Ellis (no), Steve Henry (abstain), Brian St. Onge (no), Ann Titus (no), Paula Proulx (no), Mike Morin (no) and Steve Durrance (yes). Motion failed.
Arthur Capello arrived at 9:26 pm.
8. Ann Titus motioned to increase the secretaries and bus drivers’ salary increase from 2.3% to 3%. Motion failed for lack of a second.
9. It was noted that in warrant article 3 the operating budget amount needs to be increased by $1.
10. Gail Ellis motioned to accept warrant article three with the operating budget total of $14,996,407.26 and a tax impact of (- $0.29) and the default budget and impact as written, 2nd Deb Cantwell. Discussion followed in which Steve D. stated he is voting against the warrant because he wants the default budget to go forward and not the budget committees. Arthur questioned what Dan M. found the valuation number to be and Dan replied that the numbers on the MS-27 came from the state website and that he was unable to contact DRA. Dan added that the local tax rate without the warrants would be $6.14 (a - $0.29). He also stated that $2,903,587.52 is what the budget committee estimated for the Middleton tuition, though he feels it is high and would like it to be 2.4 million. Ms.
Langa explained that the tuition figure for Middleton has increased $50 per high school student and $1200 for elementary students. Steve H. commented that a reasonable estimate would be last year's tuition plus the increase amount. In running the numbers on the computer Dan mentioned the program he was using and Deb inquired that she thought Ms. Langa told the committee at an earlier meeting that they were using the new software and not fundsense. Ms. Langa replied that the new software is installed but they are not using it because they are not trained on it. Joe asked Ms. Langa if she is comfortable with the tuition being estimated at 2.7 million and she said yes. The budget committee decided to leave the estimated tuition as presented. Paula questioned why the capital reserve funds from article 6 are not listed in the estimated revenue? Dan replied that it should be on the bottom of page 5 of the MS-27, though it seems it got left out so
he will add it. Roll Call - Deb Cantwell (yes), Joe Pitre (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Steve Henry (no), Brian St. Onge (no), Ann Titus (yes), Paula Proulx (abstained because she was not comfortable with the accuracy of the numbers on the MS-27), Mike Morin (yes), Arthur Capello (no) and Steve Durrance (no). Motion failed.
9. Steve Henry motioned to increase the non-contract employees back to 3% from 2.3%, 2nd Steve Durrance. Roll Call - Deb Cantwell (no), Joe Pitre (abstain), Gail Ellis (no), Steve Henry (yes), Brian St. Onge (no), Ann Titus (no), Paula Proulx (no), Mike Morin (no), Arthur Capello (no) and Steve Durrance (yes). Motion failed.
10. Arthur Capello motioned to accept article 3, 2nd Ann Titus. Roll Call - Deb Cantwell (yes), Joe Pitre (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Steve Henry (yes), Brian St. Onge (no), Ann Titus (yes), Paula Proulx (abstain because she is unsure of the accuracy of the numbers), Mike Morin (yes), Arthur Capello (no) and Steve Durrance (no). Motion carried.
11. Deb Cantwell motioned to accept article 6, 2nd Arthur Capello. Motion withdrawn.
Meeting recessed at 11:30 pm to get MS-27 printed and reconvened at 11:42 pm.
12. The committee signed the MS-27. Paula noted that the article 6 warrant article was still not listed on the MS-27 as revenue and Dan explained that the instructions for the MS-27 say that it should not be included.
13. The committee set the next meetings for 2/6/08 (to review town budgets), 2/12/08 (public hearing for town budget) and 2/13/08 as a continuation date if needed.
Arthur Capello motioned to adjourn, 2nd Deb Cantwell. Motion carried with all in favor.
Chairman Pitre adjourned the meeting at 11:52 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
______________________________ _______________________
Secretary, Ann Titus Date
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