TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Friday – February 13, 2009
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Mike Morin, Brian St. Onge, Arthur Capello, Chris Somma and Jim Horgan.
Members Excused: Steve Henry and Cindy Snowdon
Selectmen's Rep: Gail Ellis
School Board Rep: Joe Pitre
Public Present: Town Clerk, Kathy Seaver, Paula Proulx, and Town Administrator Tony Mincu
Chairman Mike Morin opened the meeting at 7:00pm. (The record reflects that Mike Morin abstained from all votes as Chairman unless indicated.)
- Final Review of Town Budgets:
- Mike stated that the administration total budget line does not match the MS-7. Tony told the committee to use the budget figure of $888,870 and he will edit the MS-7.
- Mike asked if the town is expecting grants for the bridges and Paula said no, the town is not eligible for another bridge grant until 2011.
- Arthur Capello motioned to put $1462.00 in the Sexual Assault Services line. Motion was rescinded when Gail stated a point of order that additional items can not be put in the budget that was not disclosed at the public hearing. Chris read RSA 32:5.II that confirmed this.
- Arthur Capello motioned to cut $4500 from the budget for the Hay Day fireworks. Motion failed for lack of a second.
- Mike noted that the $3500 for the TAN note interest was also missing on the MS-7 and Tony said he would edit that as well.
- Mike noted that the $4950 for conservation (line 4611) should not be on line 4619 on the MS-7. Tony said it has been historically but the committee discussed that it would be better to be on line 4611.
- Arthur Capello motioned to reduce the police cruiser line to $25, 058 based on the figures for the cruisers the committee received from the police department, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried.
- Arthur Capello motioned to eliminate the standby generator for the municipal offices and hold off on this purchase until next year due to the economy, 2nd Brian St. Onge. Discussion followed in which Joe stated that if the town was to lose power for several days the town could lose the boilers, plus this building will be the command post. Jim commented it is better to be prepared. Motion failed – Jim Horgan (no), Arthur Capello (yes), Joe Pitre (no), Brian St. Onge (yes), Chris Somma (abstain) and Gail Ellis (no).
- Arthur Capello motioned to remove $34,000 for the town clock from the budget. The motion was rescinded because Tony said this can’t be done because it is a petition warrant.
- Mike said the new bottom line for the Capital Outlay (4902) budget committee recommended is $94,058.
- Recommendation of Warrants:
A. Joe Pitre motioned to recommend Article 4 with a total of $5,866,792, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with Arthur Capello opposed.
B. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 5 for the fire department command vehicle as written, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
C. Joe Pitre motioned to recommend Article 3 for the wastewater facility as written, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried - Jim Horgan (no), Arthur Capello (abstain), Joe Pitre (yes), Brian St. Onge (no), Chris Somma (yes) and Gail Ellis (yes).
D. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 6 for the defibrillator as written, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with Brian St.Onge abstaining.
E. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 7 for the Rec. Department Van as written, 2nd Joe Pitre. Motion carried.
F. Jim Horgan motioned to recommend Article 8 for the police cruiser as amended to reflect the total expenditure of $25,058 with $18,558 to be raised from general taxation, 2nd Chris Somma. Motion carried with Arthur Capello abstaining.
G. Joe Pitre motioned to recommend Article 9 for the generator, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried - Jim Horgan (yes), Arthur Capello (no), Joe Pitre (yes), Brian St. Onge (no), Chris Somma (abstain) and Gail Ellis (yes).
H. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 10 for the Emergency Medical Equipment Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) as amended to fix the wording, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
I. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 11 for the Future Technology CRF as written, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
J. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 12 for Public Building Maintenance CRF as amended to strike the last line, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
K. Jim Horgan motioned to recommend Article 13 for the Public Safety Building CRF as written, 2nd Joe Pitre. Discussion followed in which Arthur stated that this would be a place the town could save money because there are not even conceptual plans for a safety building. Gail commented that the CIP committee discussed this but felt it would be responsible to keep putting something away each year because the need for a safety building is real and inevitable. Motion failed - Jim Horgan (yes), Arthur Capello (no), Joe Pitre (yes), Brian St. Onge (no), Chris Somma (yes), Mike Morin (no, Mike voted to break the tie) and Gail Ellis (no).
L. Jim Horgan motioned to recommend Article 14 for the Rec. Equipment CRF as written, 2nd Gail Ellis. Discussion followed in which it was stated that this article will put money in the account because the current fund will be expended on the purchase of the van if it is approved. Motion carried - Jim Horgan (yes), Arthur Capello (yes), Joe Pitre (no), Brian St. Onge (abstain), Chris Somma (yes) and Gail Ellis (yes).
M. Joe Pitre motioned to recommend Article 15 for the Fire Vehicle and Equipment CRF as written, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
N. Joe Pitre motioned to recommend Article 16 for the Water Infrastructure CRP as written, 2nd Jim Horgan. Discussion followed in which Mike asked if this takes a 2/3 vote because it is to establish a CRF and Kathy Seaver said no, just a majority vote. Jim Horgan (yes), Arthur Capello (abstain), Joe Pitre (yes), Brian St. Onge (no), Chris Somma (yes) and Gail Ellis (yes).
O. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 17 for the Town Employee Financial Obligation CRF as written, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
P. Arthur Capello motioned to recommend Article 18 for the Building Permit Fee Allocation Change as written, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
Q. Joe Pitre motioned to recommend Article 19 for the Land Use Tax Allocation Change as written, 2nd Gail Ellis. Discussion followed in which Jim stated that the conservation commission is strongly opposed to this article. Motion failed - Jim Horgan (no), Arthur Capello (yes), Joe Pitre (no), Brian St. Onge (no), Chris Somma (no) and Gail Ellis (no).
R. Arthur Capello motioned to not recommend Article 21 for the Town Clock repairs and maintenance, 2nd Chris Somma. Discussion followed in which it was consensus that no one is sure if the town really owns the clock and that the town should not be expending funds for private property. Kathy explained that it has been in the budget since the 1800s. Some of the members agreed they would feel more comfortable if there was a document that stated the town owned the clock and not the church. Gail added that Mr. Marble did agree at a Selectmen meeting to change the warrant on the floor to read “up to $34,000.” Motion carried - Jim Horgan (no), Arthur Capello (yes), Joe Pitre (abstain), Brian St. Onge (yes),
Chris Somma (yes) and Gail Ellis (yes).
The next meeting is scheduled for February 25, 2009.
Arthur Capello motioned to adjourn, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with Mike Morin and Joe Pitre abstaining.
Meeting adjourned at 9:13pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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