TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday – October 22, 2008
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Mike Morin, Ann Titus, Brian St. Onge, Arthur Capello, Cindy Snowdon and Jim Horgan.
Members Excused: Steve Henry
Selectmen's Rep: Gail Ellis
School Board Rep: Joe Pitre
Chairman Mike Morin opened the meeting at 7:10pm and then excused himself and had Vice-Chairman Brian St. Onge take over.
Jim Horgan motioned to accept the minutes of 9-17-08 as written, 2nd Joe Pitre. Motion carried with Arthur Capello abstaining because he was absent during that meeting.
- Review Answers from the School Board:
- Joe Pitre explained that there is not a new nurse at Henry Wilson and that this was an error. (The full explanation was in the memo from Ms.Langa) Joel also stated that the translator is for a deaf person within the district. Arthur asked if the translator position is permanent or just for this particular student. Joe replied that he would assume it is just for this particular student.
- Letter from Town Administrator to the Ms. Langa:
Arthur read the letter the Town Administrator sent to Michelle Langa, Superintendent, expressing the Board of Selectmen’s displeasure with the school department for not completing the state paperwork two years in a row on time and how doing so will force the town to take out TAN (Tax Anticipation Notes) that will cost the town money. He further requested all the MS forms be completed and turned over to the town by 10-28-08 and that the school finance administrator contact the town finance administrator to work out the school payments.
Ann asked why the MS forms were not completed on time and Arthur said they realistically could not have been 100% complete on time because of the pending staff contracts but that the school could have provided two, one with the contracts and one without, and/or they certainly could have had them in on 10-15-08, the day after the special vote for the contracts. Cindy asked if anyone knows why these forms are still not complete and the answer was no.
Brian asked if Gail found out what the “trustee line” was in the budstat. Gail explained that the expenditure was for a computer for the Rec. that was bought by the trustees. Cindy asked what computer that would be because she has not noticed a new one and Gail said she would look into it further.
Mike Morin rejoined the meeting at 7:38 pm and took over the meeting.
- Mike informed the Board that he received the MS 4,5 and 7 from the town and the 2007 year end auditor’s reports but did not receive any of this information from the schools. Joel said Ms. Langa wrote a memo to the Board explaining that she would get those sent out as soon as she was able.
- The committee compared the MS-7 (best guess on revenues that is done in 2/08) to the MS-4 (done on 8-20-08). Mike commented that the MS-4 was a little over $40,000 light. He then asked what the sale of municipal property for $200 was. Gail said she would look into this. Arthur asked for a comparable revenue report from the town for 2007 and 2008.
Mike commented that it appears there has not been any police detail so far this year and wondered what is going to happen when the department wants to purchase a cruiser this year. Arthur also questioned if the town DPW and such pays for town police detail. Gail replied that she would check to see how that works. Arthur then asked if the town does reimburse the police department for details, does that fee include the usual cruiser, uniform and fuel fees. Jim stated that he would like to know what an on duty police officer duties are.
- The committee compared the MS-5 (filed by April 1st) to the MS-7. Brian noted that there were several discrepancies; for example lines 3190 and 3351 and questioned why this is. Mike said that some might differ because of encumbrances. Brian asked which form is accurate and why. Gail replied that she would look into this.
Jim asked if there is a target percentage the committee is looking to cut from budgets in order to be fiscally responsible this year. Mike said that because of the buy down last year the town would see a tax increase even if they are flat line budgeted.
The next meeting is 11-19-08 at 7pm.
Ann Titus motioned to adjourn, 2nd Brian St.Onge. Motion passed with all in favor. Meeting convened at 8:42 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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