TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday – September 23, 2009
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Mike Morin, Sam Cataldo, Chris Biron, Jim Horgan, Chris Somma, Brian St.Onge, Cindy Snowdon, Ann Titus, Arthur Capello (arrived 8:33pm) and Cindy Snowdon.
Selectmen's Rep: Gail Ellis
School Board Rep: Ken Dickie
Chairman Mike Morin opened the meeting at 7:07pm.
1. Review of Minutes:
A. Jim Horgan motioned to accept the 6-24-09 minutes as amended to correct the spelling of “Dickie”, 2nd Ken Dickie. Motion carried with Ann Titus, Brian St. Onge and Chris Somma abstaining. Chris B. commented that he is still looking for an answer as to what roads were paved for the $15,000 that has been expended thus far (this question was asked at the 6-24-09 meeting). Gail replied that she did get those answers in writing but forgot the print out and will forward it to the Board through email.
2. Review of MS 24, MS 25 and DOE 25:
A. Ken informed the Committee that the School paid Middleton back $265,000 in overpaid tuition and the new tuition calculation brought the rate down. Mike pointed out that the MS-24 shows the schools received $288,000 less that what was estimated as revenues. Also, the new Town valuation is $520,468,838 which is about $35,000,000 higher.
3. Review of School Budstats:
A. New food service reports were received and Ken stated that he would ask Carolyn Rioux (interim school finance administrator) to come to the next meeting to explain how to read all the new reports. Brian pointed out that he would like to know why there are negative numbers on the first page and why line 40-3120 (salaries, food kitchen staff, HS) has zero budgeted but there is money encumbered and spent.
B. Mike asked if the state and/or federal school revenues go directly to the school or the Town first.
C. Brian asked why there are large negatives on page 5 of the revenue report noting the example of the special education translator is overspent by 789.30%.
Ann Titus motioned to table the review of the budstats until the next meeting so the members have time to review them, 2nd Chris Somma. Motion carried with Jim Horgan opposed.
4. Review of MS4 and MS5:
A. Brian asked what line 3186 (payment in lieu of taxes) is. Gail will check
B. Mike asked why the bottom lines of the MS-4 and MS-5 are very different. Gail will look into this. Mike also asked for a list of what is included in the “multi purpose bond” and why the final payment is listed as 8/16/06 and there is payment scheduled.
5. Review of Town Budstats:
A. Chris B. asked if there are different crews that work for the highway and landfill departments or if they are the same people. Gail explained that they each have their own personnel but there has been some internal swaps.
B. Cindy asked what the forestry equipment line 01-4220-307-40 was overspent on. Gail will check.
C. Chris S. asked how come COAST bus hasn’t been paid yet and Gail replied that COAST has not invoiced the Town yet.
D. Brian asked what the Safe Routes Project involves and Gail explained it is a grant for creating and repairing the sidewalks to the schools and for education on pedestrian safety.
6. Representation for Capital Improvement Committee (CIP):
Mike explained that Arthur needs to step down from the CIP because of his work commitments and therefore the seat needs to be filled. Ann Titus motioned to accept Arthur Capello’s resignation from the CIP, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with Arthur Capello abstaining.
Arthur Capello motioned to appoint Ann Titus as the Budget Committee representative to the CIP and Chris Somma as the alternate, 2nd Chris Biron. Motion carried with Ann Titus and Chris Somma abstaining.
7.Other:
Mike asked Gail to explain why a special meeting is being held and Gail explained that the process to get the federal money for the Wastewater Treatment Facility has changed and the wording in the original warrant is too stringent. The warrant needs to be amended so that the money can be obtained. Mike asked if the Selectmen are sure the Budget Committee does not need to hold a public hearing for this meeting and Gail replied she wasn’t sure and she would have the Town Administrator look into it.
Brian St. Onge motioned to adjourn, 2nd Ken Dickie. Motion carried at 8:53pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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