TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Selectman Present: Chairman Gerry McCarthy, Martin Gilman, Paula Proulx, Gail Ellis and Joan Funk.
Town Staff Present: Town Administrator Anthony Mincu, Police Chief Scott Roberge, Lt. Kevin Willey and Public Works Director Joel Moulton.
Chairman Gerry McCarthy opened the meeting at 6:00pm.
1. Opera House Boiler Bids:
Tony explained that the boiler has the beginnings of yet another leak and the professionals have come to the conclusion that the boiler should be replaced. Tony received two bids; one from Strogens and one from Kameris/Beaudoin. Joan Funk motioned to utilize Kameris/Beaudoin for the boiler replacement at $14,500 plus the cost of the steel plate, 2nd Marty Gilman. Discussion followed on when the work would be complete and which account the money was coming from. It was decided the funds for this project would come from the public buildings maintenance fund. Motion carried with all in favor.
2. Police Hiring:
Scott Roberge informed the Board that his department did some additional investigation in to the pros and cons of part-time officers and then let Kevin Willey explain what they found. Kevin explained that after speaking with six other similar departments he founds that some of them do have part-time people but those who do use them for special events and details or office work. Pittsfield also noted that they have four open positions that they have been unable to fill. All departments informed Kevin that the part-time officers in general cause concern of training and reliability.
Scott reminded the Board that he worked very hard to bring in a fairly level-funded budget to retain his department as is. Marty commented that lots of large companies hire part-time people and are very successful and Gerry added the town could save a lot of money with part-time officers. Paula stated that she did some research also and found out the same things as Kevin and also part-time officers have generally not been put on patrol because the departments have a hard time getting them to court. Also in 2006, the taxpayers agreed to a full time officer at town meeting and in fact did not want to wait several months before filling the position. Joan commented that she feels it would compromise the department to hire part-time officers. Joan Funk motioned to hire Colin Wheeler to fill
the full-time position in the police department on the Chief’s recommendation, 2nd Paula Proulx. Roll Call – Gail Ellis (yes), Paula Proulx (yes), Joan Funk (yes), Marty Gilman (no), and Gerry McCarthy (no).
3. Public Works Budget Proposal:
a. Gerry asked if all the encumbered funds from last year have been expended and if so is there a report available on what was done with the funds. Joel replied that he did submit a report to the Selectmen but he will re-forward it. He added that he had $200,522.54 in encumbrances and that he spent all but $69,939.70, which reflects the savings in the blasting.
b. Joan asked if al the FEMA money has been spent and Joel said most of it has but because of the spending freeze he has some bills awaiting payment form those funds. Joel added that the town is expecting the other 12% from the State in the spring of 2009 for about $69,000.
c. Joan asked Joel if he plows with his guys and Joel said yes, that he assists with the parking lots and dead end streets.
d. Joel explained that he provided a list of all the drainage projects residents have been requesting over the past year and the estimated costs for those projects is $164,720. He also attached a list of suggested road repairs and their costs. Joan asked what is scheduled for Chestnut Hill Road maintenance. Joel replied that he started this year with some drainage improvements and repairs with FEMA money and that the area still needs some ditching work. Joan asked for a copy of Joel’s road plan and Joel said he is still working on it and should have it by town meeting.
e. Gail asked if all the CIP items are included in this budget proposal. Joel replied that the one-inch overlay for Meaderboro Road (1.5 miles) is, as well as, work to Dodge Cross Road and a few others. Paula asked if the base of Meaderboro Road is adequate for an overlay. Joel said that he knows the road needs some additional ditching but that he is not sure otherwise. Joel explained that he gave the Board the cost to fix everything in the roads the residents have complained about and that it is up to the Selectmen to decide which jobs should be completed and funded in 2009.
f. Marty asked if the CMA engineers are necessary this upcoming year and Joel said he will evaluate it and get back to the board.
g. Joan commented that she would like Joel to create a more realistic budget with attached sheets for jobs that will be completed with the budget.
h. Gerry asked why line 59 (overtime) is up $5000. Joel replied that he has had a tremendous amount of overtime this year even though he has been staggering the schedules and felt it was a more realistic number.
i. Gail asked why line 53 (department wages) is down and Joel explained that he applied a 3% COLA so he is not sure but that he would check with Pam.
j. Gail asked why line 60 (Hwy training) is level funded when there is money left over this year. Joel said that he is encumbering $2410 so the line will be cut down to about $90.
k. Joel said he could cut some of line 61 (highway telephone).
l. Gail asked why line 62 (hwy electric) is up when all of this year’s funds have not been expended yet and Joel replied that he was told PSNH is going to have a 9% increase. Gerry said he would like the line cut by $1000.
m. Joel explained that he negotiated the prices for highway uniforms (line 64) but there was still an increase. Gail asked Joel if he has gone out to bid on these items and Joel said no, he just did an informal phone inquiry to several companies and then renegotiated with the company based on those figures.
n. Marty asked if Joel can do some research to see if there is a braking system available for the town’s chipper and Joel said he would.
o. Joel explained that line 67 (hwy bldg. repair) is for a generator shed, a cold patch slab, roof for the sander building and misc. wiring in the office area that has not been completed.
p. It was discussed that Joel is not responsible for the maintenance on all town buildings and that all department heads are in charge of their own buildings. Tony said that he was in charge of all the building maintenance.
q. Joel explained that he would be encumbering $69,939.70 in line 68 (road repair/repave) to complete a storm water management study for the village area so that he has a plan to complete drainage improvements by. Gail commented that she was under the impression initially that Joel was going to do the study and not spend the $69,000 for someone else to do it. Joel replied that he is not qualified to do such a study and whatever he would propose would be his best guess. Gerry asked if the study is necessary and Joel replied he thinks so because he can only make his best guess as to what would be appropriate, but he is not a scientist.
r. Paula asked what the ledge removal is for. Joel explained that he still has some ledge in ditches that need to be removed.
s. Marty asked what the SGBP clearing is for. Joel explained that it is to clear the area in the park so that he can get the trucks to the back parcel. Marty asked if Joel could do the work in house and save some money. The Board discussed that they would like Joel to prepare his next budget utilizing his crew only instead of sending jobs out, so that lines can be cut more.
t. Gerry asked why line 43 (tree removal) is so high and Joel said he has a lot of trees to trim and take down.
u. Marty questioned if the dredging of the river and tree removal was already done and Joel said it was suppose to be but that DES came in at the last minute and told him that he could not do it. The Board asked him to get that in writing and Joel replied that he does have it in an email and that the Army Corps is trying to help out.
v. Paula asked why line 72 (contract sweep) is up and Joel replied that it is because of the cost of gas. Paula asked Joel to revisit all the petroleum based lines now that fuel costs have come down.
w. Joel said he would be encumbering line 76 (rent mower) and line 77 (repaint trucks) for $2,577.23.
x. Paula questioned if there is any other way to figure out the hoists for line 85 (new equipment) so that 6 hoists won’t be needed. Joel said he would do some more research and Marty gave him some suggestions.
y. Gerry asked why the culverts need to be cast in place basins and Joel said this ensures that other lines are not disturbed. Gerry asked if Joel can install all 12 culverts in 2009 and Joel said yes, if the money was available. Marty asked if Joel could just do 4-5 a year. Paula asked if these 12 culverts are included in the separate sheet of drainage projects and Joel said no.
z. Joel said he is planning to encumber line 91 (guard rails).
aa. Gerry asked what Joel is planning with the sidewalk line and Joel explained he has plans for Main St. and Grove St. Paula stated that the town paid $500 to SRPC for a sidewalk study and questioned if Joel has seen it. Joel replied that he was unaware of it and Paula asked Tony to have Dan inform Joel of the project.
bb. Gerry asked what the bridges/railings line is for and Joel explained it is for repairs to the Spring St. bridge over the Cocheco River to keep the bridge off the red list. Gerry asked if there are any bridges left on the red list and Joel said no.
4. Landfill Budget Proposal:
a. Joel explained that the loader repair line is to repair the current loader and if the Board chooses to do the repairs then the new loader request can be removed from the capital outlay line.
b. Marty asked if Joel plans to encumber line 59 (tire removal) and Joel said yes, all $11,000.
c. Joel said he also plans to encumber the shredding line (line 71).
d. Joan asked what the five pieces of equipment are on line 55 and Joel replied a loader, bobcat, baler and two dump trucks.
e. Gail asked if the FEMA reimbursements can be put in the capital reserve funds for the highway department and some of the Board was in agreement that it would be a good idea, though no firm decision was made.
Joan Funk motioned to adjourn, 2nd Marty Gilman. Motion carried with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:13pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
__________________________ _________________________
Chairman, Gerald McCarthy Vice-Chairman, Martin Gilman
__________________________ _________________________
Paula Proulx Gail Ellis
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Joan A. Funk
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