TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, November 23, 2009
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Selectmen Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Gerry McCarthy, Gail Ellis, Joan Funk and Charlie King.
Town Staff Present: Water/Wastewater Superintendent Dale Sprague, Police Chief Scott Roberge and Lt. Kevin Willey.
Public Present: Jim Horgan, John Nolan and Betty Babicki
Chairman Paula Proulx opened the meeting at 6:05pm.
1. Public Comment:
A. Betty Babicki explained that she had a small issue at the landfill and is seeking the Board’s help. She explained that she borrows a friend’s truck to bring her trash to the dump and cannot get a dump sticker because the vehicle is registered out of town. Paula replied that she spoke to Joel and that there is a separate form that can be obtained to do this. Paula explained that Ms. Babicki just needs to bring proof of residence and the registration to the vehicle she will be using to bring her trash to the landfill and then she can get a form that will take the place of a landfill sticker and will need to bring that form with her when she goes to the landfill. However the vehicle needs to be the same one each visit. Jim Horgan suggested the Board create a
reasonable pass for other people in town like this who might not have the same vehicle available each week and the Board commented that this would be difficult because of accountability issues.
2. Review of Minutes:
A. Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 10-26-09 as written, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Joan Funk motioned to accept the public minutes of 11-2-09 as amended to reflect grammar changes, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
C. Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 11-2-09 as written, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
D. Joan Funk motioned to accept the public minutes of 11-9-09 as amended to reflect grammar changes, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
E. Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 11-9-09 as amended to reflect grammar changes, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
F. Joan commented that in the minutes the Board had discussed the culvert and park on Lone Star and apparently the park was raked but the culvert was not cleaned completely out which was the main concern. Paula replied that she would follow up with this.
3. Wright-Pierce Update:
Dale explained the memo from Ed Leonard of Wright-Pierce that gave the cost differential between Site Plans D and E. The site work was considered essentially equivalent in scope and cost, except for 100 tons less paving for Site Plan E. The site piping is less for Site Plan E. The Sheeting/Shoring is more for Site Plan E as well as the temporary sludge handling. The total construction cost increase for Site Plan E is estimated at $55,000 though it has a $300-$400 O & M energy saving each year.
Dale stated that one item not previously identified is the potential for future expansion of the facility involving additional SBR tankage. With Site Plan D it would probably be done by expanding into the wetlands so Wright-Pierce has proposed turning the building slightly to reduce the impact to the wetlands in Site Plan D-1.
Charlie King motioned to indicate to Wright-Pierce that the Board is in favor of Site Plan D-1, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with all in favor.
4. Wastewater Budget Proposal:
A. Dale explained that the chemicals are a little less this year and that he would like to go back to having four full-time guys and one shared with Joel so that is what he figured into his budget, though he still needs to talk to Joel and Tony to see if this is conceivable.
B. Gail asked why the “mainline maintenance” line is up and Dale explained that he has 22 frames and covers that are in need of raising and/or replacement due to rot and rust. He budgeted $350/ea to replace 5 of these with a new style cover by a contractor.
C. Joan asked why Dale has $20,000 budgeted for plant upgrade. Dale replied that the current Wright-Pierce contracts are not included in this line and that he has money in this line as a contingency for items that might come up like the smoke testing he just completed. Dale then explained that they smoke tested 75% of the Town and found basically nothing so it looks like there are more infiltration issues as far as bad pipes, cracks and sump pumps. Some of the money in this line could be used to finish canvassing the other half of Town for sump pumps that are infiltrating the system.
D. Paula asked what lab supplies are included and Dale showed her a list he had to make up the line. Gail suggested attaching this list to the budget sheet because the Budget Committee will potentially have the same questions.
E. Charlie commented that Dale’s gas and diesel lines are not expended yet and Dale said that it is only because Pam hasn’t charged his lines yet.
F. Charlie asked if the phone budget line is for one line into the office and one Nextel and Dale replied yes. He further added that he has only seen the past two Bayring bills for $40/mo and that he has never seen his Nextel bill. Gerry commented that all bills should go to Tony and any plan negotiations as well.
G. Charlie asked if the sludge processing is bided out each year and Dale replied no, there aren’t too many companies that process sludge and the guy he uses is really fair at 6.5 cents per gallon; he usually has about $385,000 gallons.
H. Charlie asked if Dale knows what the liability insurance entails and if it is a shared cost between Dale’s two departments. Dale replied that he just plugs the numbers in the Pam gives him.
I. Dale commented that the only thing not in his budget as a line item is a capital reserve line to transfer the expected revenue surplus. Dale explained that by having this line it allows the Board the capability to move funds out of the Enterprise fund and into the capital reserve. Charlie asked if $2000 could be put in the line and then the Board could move $20,000 if it was available. Paula will pose this question to Pam. Gail asked what the difference is as to where the money sits whether it is in the cash account of reserve and Dale replied that the reserve has more funds in it so therefore more money would be made in interest. Gail asked who watches these accounts to make sure the Town is getting the best deal and Dale replied he is not sure, but it is not him.
J. Charlie asked what the health insurance increase is based on and Dale explained that Tony told him to add 10% to the 2009 numbers.
5. Water Department Proposed Budget:
A. Dale informed the Board that with the estimated revenue this budget will still be in deficit spending by about $30,000 even though the budget itself is down about $38,000.
B. Charlie pointed out that the on-call pay is historically about $3400 and questioned why Dale budgeted more. Dale replied that the 2009 expenditures are not realistic because he has been taking weekend on-calls since Paige has not been with his department.
C. Charlie asked for an explanation of the uniform line and Dale explained that he feels comfortable cutting the line to $400/person because his guys haven’t been utilizing the full $500.
D. Charlie asked what the “Union St. Job” is and Dale explained he has been trying to complete this project for several years to tie in the line from Spring St. The line has money for materials and repaving.
E. Gerry commented that Dale has still not spent about 25% of the 2009 budget and Dale explained that with budget constraints some items were cut like the Union St. project to keep spending down. Gerry asked for a summary sheet of what was cut from the budget and Dale said he would get that to him but also it was the $10,000 for CRF, $15,000 for mainline renewal and $10,000 for consultants.
F. Charlie commented that he would like to tighten up the budget to make the revenues and expenditures equal. Gail questioned what the cost is for the ¼ person Dale would like to bring back in his budget and Dale replied $12,620. The Board also asked Dale to put together information on the hydrant rentals as well.
Charlie King motioned for a recess at 7:52pm, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with all in favor.
At 7:57pm the Board reconvened.
6. Police Department Proposed Budget Review:
A. Scott reviewed his budget with the Board.
- The personnel line does not reflect step increases.
- The holiday pay shows increase to reflect hourly rate increase.
- The budget reflects the current salary, holiday pay, insurance, etc. for the current secretary who is retiring in January.
- The School Resource Officer is budgeted at 100% though 80% is reimbursed by the schools.
- Mileage is decreased by $1000.
- Decrease in dispatch due to changes in how the County Chief is paid.
- The gasoline line is a guestimate for approximate cost of 9000 gallons.
- Cruiser maintenance line is same because he still has 3 cruisers with various mileages on them.
- The new equipment line is up from $7000 to $22,800 because he would like to upgrade the surveillance cameras to digital at $500/piece. Plus he would like to replace 2-3 chairs, purchase $2000 in tactical weapons for SWAT and $14,000 for tazers. Gerry asked if other departments are fully outfitted with tazers now and Scott replied yes, Rochester, Middleton, Milton and New Durham are all fully outfitted as well as hospital security guards.
B. Scott said that he knows he has $9,900 in JAG funding coming in January and would like to add that amount to his grant line. (He is looking to purchase five more ballistic vests with the grant which will ensure all police staff have an updated vest.) Scott would like to budget $18,360 in the grant line with $16,650 of that being reimbursed. Paula stated that this does not need to be budgeted and that Pam can just create a line like she did this year.
C. Gerry asked if the in-car cameras have been installed yet and Scott replied no that he is waiting for the storage boxes to come in so they can all be installed at once.
D. Gail asked how many computers Scott is proposing to purchase with the $3000 budgeted and Scott replied three. Charlie asked how many computers are in the PD and Scott replied seven and they usually have to be replaced every 5 years. Gail asked if the Town just upgraded some of those computers and Scott said yes the secretary and one of the booking computers were just updated.
E. Scott explained that he budgeted $10,000 for building maintenance again and that he would like to encumber any funds left over this year after the skylights are completed. Next year he would like to work on the water infiltration, painting of the building and the heating issues.
F. Scott informed the Board that all the warning lights are back on in the Animal Control car.
G. Charlie asked if the sick and holiday pay is consistent town wide and Joan replied yes.
H. Paula asked what the 2009 grants were and Scott replied they got the highway safety grant, vest partnership grant, JAG grant and Under-aged drinking grant in which all of them were 100% reimbursable.
I. Charlie asked where the majority of the cost for the phone is. Scott replied he pays $800/month for the phone which includes a dedicated line to dispatch, a toxillilator line, fax lines and a regular phone lines.
J. Scott commented he got great support from other departments this year with the Christmas lights and everything went smoothly. Gerry commented that a thank you should probably be sent to Union Telephone for the help with hanging the lights.
K. Kevin announced that the Santa Blue Light Special is available this year in which Santa visits the home and delivers gifts (from parents) to kids on Christmas Eve from 4-8pm for a donation of money or toys for CAP.
7. EDC Questionnaire:
Paula explained that the Economic Development Commission would like the Board to fill out these questionnaires and return them to them. All members except Gerry asked to have a digital copy of emailed to them.
9. Other:
A. Charlie King motioned to authorize Joel Moulton to expend up to $2600 to repair the handi-capped ramp at the Old Courthouse, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Gerry McCarthy motioned to do the repairs to Engine 2 that are needed to complete the certified pump test per Joel’s memo and then have the $125 certified pump test completed. If the pump passes than the exhaust work can be completed, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
3. Gail asked to set up a meeting to discuss the health insurance and pay increases. Paula replied that they are already on the agenda for next week.
At 9:06pm, Charlie King motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.II (a) and (e), 2nd Gail Ellis. Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Charlie King (yes) and Joan Funk (yes).
Gail Ellis motioned to adjourn, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:48pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
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Chairman, Paula Proulx Vice-Chairman, Gail Ellis
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Gerry McCarthy Charlie King
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Joan A. Funk
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