TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday – December 9, 2008
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Mike Morin, Ann Titus, Brian St. Onge, Arthur Capello, Cindy Snowdon, Chris Somma, Steve Henry and Jim Horgan.
Selectmen's Rep: Gail Ellis
School Board Rep: Joe Pitre
Public Present: Rich Cilley, Michelle Langa, Ruth Ellen Vaughn, Diann Pitre, and Bonnie Tellis
Chairman Mike Morin opened the meeting at 7:00pm and explained the purpose of tonight’s meeting was to review the proposed school budgets.
- School Meeting Explanation by Ms. Langa:
Gail asked Ms. Langa to explain what the upcoming school meeting is for. Ms. Langa stated that on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 7pm in the High School gymnasium the school is required to hold a single session to correct the incorrectly posted warrant articles; the legal opening paragraph on the document was missing, as well as, the signature page. She explained that the language or decision cannot be changed and that the purpose of the vote is for the voters to compare the old warrants to the new one and note there are no changes except for the required preamble and the School Board member signatures. She also stated that the DRA requested this vote in early November and with the required postings this was the earliest date.
- Review from Last Meeting:
A. Ms Langa passed out the list of the teachers and their salaries to the committee members. She explained that the special education teachers all receive a $401 stipend, in which she does not know the origin of the stipend because it was before her time of employment with the town. She also explained that some of the high school teachers receive a $1500 stipend for teaching a 6th period class. Also longevity pay in the sum of $500 is given to teachers who have 6 years with the district and $1000 for those with 14 years or more. Gail asked if the annual salary listed on the sheet includes benefits and Ms. Langa replied no, just the salary, stipends and longevity. Arthur asked if these numbers are for the 2009-2010 school year and Ms. Langa said
yes. Arthur requested this same type of report for the paraprofessionals and Ms. Langa said she would get it to the committee as soon as possible. Cindy asked if these figures include a COLA raise and Ms. Langa explained that the COLA is only being given to the non-negotiating staff, such as the principals, secretaries, the food service director and bus drivers.
B. Gail commented that she does not feel it is reasonable or fair to bring a 5.8% COLA to the taxpayers this year. Gail Ellis motioned to reduce the COLA the school is using to 3% for all non-contractual employees, 2nd Jim Horgan. Discussion followed. Mike asked for the committee to wait on this decision until the public hearing and Gail replied she thinks it is better to deal with this now. Gail also stated that she does not feel it is fair to present this figure to the taxpayers and that the Selectmen have not set their COLA yet but there was a consensus that it would not be anywhere near 5.8%. Arthur disagreed because last year the Selectmen did not reduce their COLA to the schools, but actually stayed at 4.2%
when the school was at 3.5%. Ms. Langa commented that she was asked several times last year by this committee to use the Social Security COLA so she did. Gail argued that it is still unreasonable. Chris commented that he is glad the school took the committee’s suggestion but feels Gail is right in that it is an unfair number to bring to the taxpayers. Steve stated that if the school is losing bus drivers and secretaries due to inadequate pay then it should be addressed in their base salary because COLA should only address their purchasing power. He then added that it is also unreasonable for the budget committee to change the target COLA on the school because it is higher this year. Mike asked Ms. Langa to prepare a list of staff who would receive the COLA with their salaries at a 3% and 5.8% increase for comparison. Cindy asked if there is a way to give raises without the COLA and Ms. Langa explained that the School Board is
currently working on this but there is no mechanism in place right now. Mike Morin called the vote – Chris Somma (yes), Brian St. Onge (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Ann Titus (no), Joe Pitre (no), Arthur Capello (no), Jim Horgan (no), Mike Morin (abstain), Cindy Snowdon (abstain) and Steve Henry (no). Motion failed.
- Review Proposed School Board Misc. Budget (Michelle Langa presenting):
Ms. Langa explained that the SAU apportionment is higher because; 1. they have assumed the assistant superintendent salary, 2. SAU board voted a higher proposed salary for the business administrator position, and 3. enrollment is shifted so Farmington’s number is higher. Arthur requested a copy of the SAU budget.
The committee reviewed the budget with Ms. Langa line by line.
a. adult education was flat funded – no change
b. the 2300 lines are proposed at $51,370.72, which is $8,906.70 higher. Ms. Langa explained this is mostly due to the cost of the audit, which is at about $20,000.
c. Arthur asked if expecting the legal line to remain as high as this year. Ms. Langa explained that the schools had two collective bargaining units to negotiate last year and that she would not expect it to be as high in 2009-2010.
d. Steve asked why line 10-2520-5315 (internet) is up $1000 from $4000. Ms. Langa explained this is to link the schools to the SAU for purchase order with the ADS system. Arthur stated that he thought all technology was in one budget this year. Ms. Langa explained that this line is for an administrative function so it was not put in the technology budget.
e. Gail asked if line 10-2300-1105 (salary) is for the school board recording secretary and Ms. Langa replied yes.
f. Ms. Langa explained that there is a new school resource officer and that his line if for a complete salary package. Steve stated that if he is only in the school for 10 months than why is the school paying for 11 months. Ms. Langa explained that it is part of existing negotiations with the police department and that the officer is readily available to the schools during the month of July for summer school. Gail added that the police department paid for his training, uniforms and such but that she would look into the negotiations with the Police Chief.
g. Ms. Langa expressed that she will forward the actual buyback language for sick day reimbursements (line 10-2900-1201-0-4) though the figure was based on projections completed by the consultant.
- Review of Proposed Transportation Budget (Bonnie Tellis presenting):
a. Joe asked if any drivers left last year due to pay rate issues. Ms. Tellis replied yes, one of eleven did.
b. Arthur asked why the bus driver salary is up 11.28%. Ms. Tellis said that the figures were calculated with a 5.8% COLA adjustment and they have one new hire.
c. Arthur questioned how many full time drivers there are and Ms. Tellis explained there are four and she is one of them.
d. It was questioned what line 10-2700-7321 (new equipment) is for. Ms. Tellis explained the line is to lease two new 77 passenger buses and retire bus 8 and van 10. She added that one of these new buses is for a new run with a new driver because her buses are so overcrowded. The lease would be for 5 years with a $1 buyout option at end. Brian asked what the cost of a bus is outright and Ms. Tellis replied it is about $85,000. The committee suggested looking into a 4 year lease. Mike suggested looking at the option of buying one bus outright to keep us on a good replacement track and then leasing the other for 4 years. It was calculated that the interest on a 4 year lease would be 4.23% versus 5.27%. Steve Henry motioned to change line
10-2700-735 (new equipment in Transportation section) to reflect a 4 year lease, 2nd Cindy Snowdon. Motion carried – Jim Horgan (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Ann Titus (yes), Cindy Snowdon (yes), Steve Henry (yes), Brian St. Onge (no), Mike Morin (no), Chris Somma (abstain).
e. Mike asked if there is a bus replacement plan. Ms. Tellis said no, but next year if she wanted anything it would be a van.
f. Arthur asked how many gallons of gas were budgeted for and what the price was. Ms. Langa said they figure the mileage plus 5.8%
g. Joe asked why the bus coordinator salary (line 10-2700-1171) shows a 5.64% increase instead of the 5.8% COLA. Ms. Langa explained that she thinks it is because of the longevity but said she would look into it.
h. Steve asked if line 10-2700-1173 (bus repair) is to pay for drivers to sit at the repair shop while the bus is being worked on. Ms. Langa explained it is for non-driving salary commitments like waiting for repairs, court testifying or drug testing.
i. Ms. Langa explained that line 10-2700-3200 (Staff development) is for the driving instructor.
J. Ms. Langa further explained that all non-bargaining employees have contracts.
k. The new bottom line for the transportation line is $447,973.62
Jim Horgan motioned for a short recess, 2nd Arthur Capello. Motion carried with all in favor.
5. Food Service Budget Proposal (Food Service Director Diann Pitre Presenting):
a. Diann Pitre stated that the food service workers are included in the paraprofessional collective bargaining agreement. She also stated that the retirement rate is .0909% though few of the workers are eligible because they are not all full-time.
b. Mike asked if the slicer was replaced a year or so ago already. Diann replied that the school board asked her not to purchase the slicer due to monetary issues though it still needs to be replaced for safety reasons.
c. Mike asked why the food supply lines have gone down. Diann stated that the numbers are more reflective of the historical data and purchases.
d. Mike informed the committee that the food service budget came in with a .54% decrease which is $3,168.60 lower.
e. Gail asked for revenues for the budget and Ms. Langa said she would have them for Thursday.
f. Brian stated that it looks like the department is budgeting for POS repairs twice. Diann stated that the figure is for technical support for the system and that she would check to see how much was spent on this particular line item this year.
g. Jim asked why the sub line is so high. Diann said her department has had a lot of major family/health problems over the past several years so she felt it necessary to increase this line.
6. Review of Minutes:
Ann Titus motioned to accept the minutes of 12-3-08 as amended to reflect the explanation that was given by Mr. Lee on the virtual High school, 2nd Arthur Capello. Gail added that she would like more of the discussion under #4 as well. Motion failed.
Jim Horgan motioned to table the minutes of 12-3-08, 2nd Arthur Capello. Motion carried with Mike Morin and Steve Henry abstaining.
Arthur Capello motioned to adjourn, 2nd Joe Pitre. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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