 |
TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 9, 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 and Joel Moulton
Public Present: Paula Proulx (Selectman)
At 7:07pm, Chairman Mike Morin opened the meeting.
- Review of Proposed Highway Budget:
- Mike last year budgeted $987,437.01 and this year proposing 946,880.02.
- Joel stated his only concern is the painting of lines section in which they are trying something different and going to a bi-annual painting of lines. He added that they will assess how this works for safety reasons.
- Arthur asked what Joel is looking to do with line 72 for newspaper ads. Joel replied that with the Town purchasing policy many bids are required and that this cost used to be in the miscellaneous line but he asked for it to be pulled out for tracking purposes.
- Arthur asked for a breakdown of the work proposed for the road repair line and Joel explained it is for shim overlay and repairs to Governors Road, a small section of Ten Rod Road, Chestnut Hill Road and a few more.
- Arthur asked if there is a CIP fund for road repairs. Gail said there is a Road Improvement and Paving CIP fund that was started in 2006 and has $85,000 in it. Arthur asked if part of this fund can be used to offset the road repair line. Paula said there is a large project in the works for the mainline renewal and the Town will need that money in the next two years for that project. Arthur replied that there is not a concrete plan yet and maybe we should use half for something we do have a plan for. Joel replied that the drainage study is almost complete and work will be commencing referencing that study and recommendations.
- Jim asked where the figure for the fuel costs comes from. Tony explained it is a estimate on where the numbers will be and the Town pays the rack price plus $0.19 a gallon.
- Arthur asked if it is possible to know how much of the 2009 expended was encumbered funds. Joel replied he had $129,399.36 in encumbered funds in 2009 and this year he is only encumbering the highway salt for around $30,000.
- Arthur pointed to line 99 (new equipment) and asked Joel if he could explain the summary of the line. Joel replied that the rental line decreased because we are going to purchase a piece of equipment to save money and he is looking to purchase a walk behind saw instead of renting one.
- Arthur asked if Joel is hiring a part-time employee this year and Joel replied this is always in the budget for part-time help in the winter though it has been pulled out into this line this year.
- Review of Bridges/Railings Proposed Budget:
- Mike stated this line is for the Bay Road Bridge replacement and asked how the Town stands with bridge safety. Joel explained there are no longer bridges on the red list and he maintains the bridges on a yearly basis. Joel added that the next bridge to look at for replacement would be the Hornetown bridge and only $35,000 of this line is for the replacement of the bridge which is the town’s share for the 80/20 bridge replacement grant and the balance is for other bridge maintenance.
- Review of Landfill Proposed Budget:
- Mike stated this budget shows about a $30,000 decrease and asked when the landfill will be closing. Joel explained the landfill will be closing effective December 31, 2010. Jim asked if there will be a reduction in costs for the users with the transfer station and Joel replied it will not go down but he hopes it will stay the same.
- Arthur asked if Joel budgeted more in the tire line to dispose of the many tires left on the side of the roads and Joel said no, the figure has stayed the same but there was an encumbrance last year.
- Review of River Maintenance Proposed Budget:
- Joel explained this figure is based on the removal of large trees along the levee per the Army Corps of Engineers mandate.
- Arthur asked how much is in Highway Department CIP fund and Gail said the fund has $3,907 in it right now. Arthur asked what is proposed next for replacement and Joel replied the loader was due for replacement in 2009 so it is next according to the CIP plan.
- Arthur how much will be left in the “trash bag” fund after Article 14 and Tony replied nothing and any new funds that will be collected with the trash stickers will go into a revolving fund.
- Article 4 - Gail commented that with the warrant articles passing the Town budget is still an overall decrease.
- Reviewed Articles 5 through 11, noting they were all according to the CIP plan. Arthur asked what article 6 for public buildings maintenance is for and Tony explained there are not any major projects but many smaller ones planned for the summer months. Arthur asked for a copy of the CIP fund balance sheet.
- Reviewed the remaining articles. Tony explained the difference between a Special Revenue Fund and a Capital Reserve Fund in that the SRF can only be expended with a vote at Town meeting, where the Selectmen can expend funds of a CRF. Brian asked why Article 15 is only for $750,000 and Tony explained this amount will cover the commencement of the landfill closure with the balance of the fund to be requested and expended in 2011 for the completion of the landfill closure.
- Mike asked for an explanation of Article 19. Tony explained it is to join a single stream recycling Co-op of which the benefit is the town will have voting rights and because it would be non-profit there is the possibility for the Town to receive revenue from the recycling. Arthur asked if there is a fee to join or maintain membership and Tony said no, just the 15 year commitment, though the Selectmen are looking into including an escape clause into the contract. Gail added the Co-op has the land and money to build the recycling facility but are waiting until they are sure they have the tonnage to support the facility. Jim stated he is concerned with joining an establishment that really isn’t even up and running yet; especially with a 15 year contract. Paula added
that by joining the co-op now we are guaranteed to receive better tipping costs than those who join later.
- The Committee will not be meeting tomorrow night.
- A letter was received to explain from resident that the library medical line was approved in the 1990s and has been clearly marked in the budget for many years as medical.
Arthur Capello motioned to adjourn, 2nd Brian St. Onge. Motion carried with all in favor at 9:03pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
_________________________________________
Chairman, Michael Morin
| |
