TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Committee Members Present: Mike Morin, Jim Horgan, Arthur Capello, Brian St. Onge, and Ann Titus.
Committee Members Absent: Chris Somma, Cindy Snowdon, Chris Biron and Sam
Cataldo
Selectmen’s Representative: Gail Ellis
School Board Representative: Ken Dickie (absent)
Town Staff Present: Town Adminstrator Tony Mincu, Fire Chief Rich Fowler and Police Chief Scott Roberge
Public Present: Paula Proulx (Selectman) and Gerry McCarthy (Selectman)
At 7:00pm, Chairman Mike Morin opened the meeting.
Review of Proposed Police Budget:
Scott informed the Committee that his budget is down over $26,000 and the cruiser purchase is also not included in the budget because they were able to purchase a cruiser with grant money.
Scott explained there are no real changes to the Animal Control budget.
Arthur asked if the $4250 remaining in the sheltering of animals line can be encumbered and applied to the 2010 contract. Scott replied that there shouldnot be a balance and Tony added that he will check with Pam to see if there are any outstanding bills.
Jim asked for an explanation of what animal control supplies consist of and Scott explained they purchase on an as needed basis items like kennels, traps and bite gloves.
Arthur asked if the Animal Control Officer is certified and Scott replied yes, she is part-time certified.
Arthur asked if the personnel line in the police budget is following the approved step plan and Scott replied no, that both last year and this year his officers have agreed to forego the step increases due to economic times.
Arthur asked why the police department and the school are both paying the School Resource Officer salary in their budgets. Gerry explained this is gross budgeting so the school payments would come in as revenue.
Mike asked why the police grant line has increased. Scott explained they have been awarded additional funding and the highway safety, JAG and under-age drinking grants are 100% reimbursable and the ballistic vests grant is 50% reimbursable.
Arthur pointed out there is $21,000 in the gas line remaining and questioned why. Scott replied there was an encumbrance in 2009 plus the cost of gas dropped quite a bit after the budget process last year.
Review of Fire Department Proposed Budget:
Rich explained his budget is down about $9000 from 2009.
Arthur asked if the department has seen an increase in calls and Rich replied yes they have had about 100 more calls and most of those are EMS calls.
Mike asked what the revenues were for 2009 and Rich replied they were about $125,000 with a collection rate of 73%.
Rich informed the Committee that he put in for the Fire Grant again this year and he is hopeful the town will be awarded a new Rescue/Pumper.
Arthur asked when the next expected ambulance replacement is and Rich replied the cost is approximately $150,000 to $160,000 and the oldest should be replaced in 2011.
Review of Planning and Codes Budget:
Mike asked why there is such a difference in the Planner salary and Tony explained the difference is due to the large amount of experience the current Planner comes to the Town with versus the fairly new planner that was currently employed.
Review of Remaining Town Budget Except Landfill and Highway:
Gail explained that under the Code Enforcement Budget the planning/code secretary needs to be corrected to the 2009 figure at $13,572.
Tony explained that under the General Governments and Buildings section the difference in the salary is due to a lay-off in the department and there is now only one building tech.
Brian asked what line 43 (health/medical) in the Financial/Admin. Section is for and Tony explained this is for an agreement that was made with two retiring police officers before there was retirement and though the officers are deceased this medical stipend is paid to the two officers’ widows.
Brian asked what the maintenance agreement in the Financial/Admin section is for and Tony explained it is for software and maintenance though the Town did just change providers that resulted in a decrease of this line.
Tony explained that the $2000 increase in the auditor line is due to the fact that a single audit is due because of Federal Funding requirements.
Mike stated that the school department updated there financial reporting software and questioned if the town is considering doing the same. Tony replied no, they use BSI and Pam is very comfortable with it.
Mike questioned why there is a $11,500 decrease in the legal services line and Tony explained there is no active or pending lawsuits so they are being optimistic.
Mike asked why the town is not supporting the Juvenile Court Diversion Program and Gail replied they did not request funding this year. Jim followed up by asking why some agencies were denied if they submitted a request. Tony replied that the Board’s approach was to not fund any new requests this year.
Jim asked what the Economic Development line is spent on. Tony explained the funds are split between the Economic Development Committee and the Downtown Committee. Ann stated the Downtown Committee purchased window business decals, held a carwash with a raffle, held several ribbon cuttings and business socials. Paula commented that the EDC has not spent any of these funds this year.
Jim Horgan motioned to adjourn, 2nd Arthur Capello. Motion carried with all in favor at 9:03pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Michael Morin
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