TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 7, 2009
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Selectmen Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Gerry McCarthy and Joan Funk
Selectmen Excused: Charlie King and Gail Ellis
Town Staff Present: Town Administrator Tony Mincu
Chairman Paula Proulx opened the meeting at 6:02pm.
1. Public Comment:
There was no public comment.
2. Review of Minutes:
A. Joan Funk motioned to accept the public minutes of 11-23-09 as written, 2nd Paula Proulx. Motion carried with all in favor.
B. Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 11-23-09 as written, 2ndGerry McCarthy. Motion carried with all in favor.
3. Budget Review:
A. Administration Budget –
1. Tony noted the overall executive budget is up approximately $300 and the only thing the Board might want to consider increasing is the Budget Committee minutes secretary line (line 16) because it has historically been overspent.
2. Paula asked if this the final year for the trustee payback at $3000 because she thought the total payoff was $9600. Tony said he would double check the figures.
3. Gerry asked if the option #2 insurance numbers the Board voted on are loaded in these budget sheets and Tony replied he was unsure but that he would have updated sheets for next week.
B. Planning and Zoning Budget -
1. Tony informed the Board that the Planning Board Chairman has requested the Board consider putting the $6600 back in the budget for Strafford Regional Planning Commission. Joan commented that she recalls the Board had decided to not continue funding SRPC and Paula suggested Tony speak to the new Planner to see what her thoughts are.
C. Financial Administration Budget:
1. Tony informed the Board that they might need to add a single audit to this section.
D. General Government Buildings Budget -
1. Joan asked if any of this money is earmarked for particular jobs and Tony replied no, there are no major items this is just for general maintenance and upkeep.
E. Revaluation –
1. Tony explained he plugged in $30,000 because it is the average cost for revaluation services and that he will be drawing up a RFP for the next round of 5 year revaluation services.
2. It was asked what the difference is between the two lines in this section and Tony explained one is for the yearly scheduled payment and the other is for actual pick-ups of recordings.
3. Gerry asked how much money is left on the revaluation line and Tony explained the line has not been dispersed yet.
F. Insurance Budget -
1. Tony stated that this figure is based on 2010 rates.
G. Health Agencies and Hospitals –
1. Tony informed the Board that these figures are from all the present requests and he will forward copies of the request letters to the Board for review.
2. Gerry suggested eliminating the Greater Wakefield Res. Center request for $1500 noting that the Town provides in like services and does not charge them. The Board agreed to cut this line.
G. Welfare –
1. Tony explained this line is level funded for 2010 and that the previous and present Welfare Directors are doing a great job meeting the needs of the community and watching the budget. Joan questioned if some of the wood the Town DPW cuts down can be put aside for welfare applicants who could use it for heat.
H. Building Inspection –
1. Paula asked Tony to check and see if the fund is going to be able to cover Dennis’ salary.
I. Library -
1. The library has not provided a budget request yet and Tony will schedule them for one of the upcoming meetings.
J. Reserves –
1. The question was raised as to what the cost of a new ambulance will be in 2012. Tony will check with the Fire Chief.
2. Paula questioned if something should be put in the highway equipment line so the Town is being proactive towards the proposed 2012 purchase of a 10-wheeler. Tony will also check into this replacement cost.
3. Tony said it would be appropriate to budget $10,000 on the public facilities line; an electronic door opener for the Municipal Building at $3-4,000 and vinyl siding on the front gable of the Old Town Hall are current projects he is aware of. The Board asked Tony to look at the Old Courthouse Building to see if any maintenance is needed there. It was also discussed that there might be grants available for heating system updates to make the buildings more energy efficient.
4. The Board agreed to plug in the CIP recommendations on all lines except for the Emergency Medical Motorized equipment line which they would like brought down to $15,000.
5. Tony suggested putting $7500 on the personnel separation line to get the account close to $25,000 in the event several employees left.
6. It was discussed that there is $52,000 in the Fire Truck Replenishment Fund. Tony will check with the Fire Chief to see what grant money is available, what purchase is proposed to be next and what the Chief would recommend for funding of this line.
7. The CIP committee suggested $25,000 for the Water Infrastructure Reserve and Joan commented that she thinks it is a good idea to keep going with the infrastructure updates. Gerry questioned if the updates should be paid for by the users or the taxpayers and Joan pointed out that the account was created by a warrant last year. Paula also added that Dale incorporates money in his operating budget as well for his own water CIP fund.
K. Conservation Commission –
1. Tony informed the Board that the Commission requested this decrease in their operating budget.
L. Capital Outlay –
1. Tony stated that he is unaware of any capital projects for this year.
M. Economic Development –
1. Tony will double check the COAST figures for 2010.
N. Capital Project Funds –
1. Paula asked if the Police Donation Fund is closed and Tony said yes, they have become an association and therefore this line should read zero.
O. Other –
1. Tony stated that he didn’t see the legal line in this budget section but he would suggest the Board level fund the line for this year at $50,000.
4. Updates/Other:
A. Joan asked Paula if she knew if the culvert by Lone Star Park was cleaned yet and Paula replied yes it was.
B. Paula asked Tony for an update on the generator and Tony replied that he is waiting for a bid from LeClair Electric. Gerry will review bids.
C. Tony explained that Pam completed an accounting for salaries and there will be $41,000 remaining this year and he would suggest offering a buyback of up to 25 hours of vacation/holiday time. Paula stated that Kathy Seaver asked the Board to consider giving all employees a one-time $100 (bonus, stipend, etc.) since the Board is considering no raises. Tony will put together the figures for both scenarios and bring to the Board on Monday.
D. Gerry McCarthy motioned to present the Historical Society and Women’s Club with certificates for their dedication to the Town, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried.
E. Paula informed the Board that the newest cruiser is in Town and the cameras are not being installed in the cruisers. Tony added that the newest PD hire graduated from the Academy on Friday.
F. Gerry stated that the Town received correspondence from NHDOT regarding the sale of property on Central Street and he believes Tony should write a letter to them urging them to be more proactive in that area because a lot of work needs to be done to that intersection. Paula asked for more information on why NHDOT is selling the property and Tony will contact them for more information.
At 7:28pm, Gerry McCarthy motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91A.3.II (b) and (e), 2nd Joan Funk. Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes) and Joan Funk (yes).
At 8:06pm the Board reconvened.
G. Tony will schedule a meeting with Town Counsel on Monday for 5pm and PD secretary interviews after that.
H. Tony asked for permission to close the Town offices at noon on Christmas Eve and have a small party for employees after that. He would like to spend approximately $400 for food for the party. The Board was agreeable to this.
Joan Funk motioned to adjourn, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12pm.
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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