TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Monday, December 21, 2009
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Selectmen Present: Chairman Paula Proulx, Gerry McCarthy, Charlie King, Gail Ellis and Joan Funk
Town Staff Present: Town Administrator Tony Mincu, Director of Public Works Joel Moulton, Finance Administrator Pam Merrill, Parks & Rec. Director Rick Conway, Police Chief Scott Roberge, Lt. Kevin Willey, Town Clerk Kathy Seaver and Water/Wastewater
Superintendent Dale Sprague.
Public Present: Mike Morin, Arthur Capello and Bill Spears
Chairman Paula Proulx opened the meeting at 5:00pm.
Joan Funk motioned to go in non-public session under RSA 91.A.3.II (a), (b) and (c), 2nd Charlie King. Roll call – Paula Proulx (yes), Charlie King (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes), Joan Funk (yes) and Gail Ellis (yes).
At 6:32pm, the Board came out of non-public session with a roll call vote.
1. Public Comment:
1. Bill Spears requested a letter of permission to snow blow the old “ice skate pond” behind Grove Street. Gerry McCarthy motioned to authorize Bill Spears to snow blow the pond and have Tony create a letter as such, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with all in favor.
2. Review of Minutes:
A. Joan Funk motioned to accept the public minutes of 12-7-09 as amended to correct a typo, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried with Gail Ellis and Charlie King abstaining because they were absent.
B. Joan Funk motioned to accept the non-public minutes of 12-7-09 as written, 2ndGerry McCarthy. Motion carried with Gail Ellis and Charlie King abstaining because they were absent.
3. Budget Review:
A. Town Clerk/Tax Collector Budget–
- Kathy explained that line 7 has a balance this year because she was the president of the town clerks and they paid for her conventions
B. Parks & Rec Department Budget -
1. Gail asked if the Board ever came to a conclusion on what is happening with cell phone stipends and Paula said no and asked when the Board would like to discuss. Charlie replied he thinks the Board needs to come up with a policy that is consistent town wide and adjust the lines accordingly after budget season. Rick replied he budgeted this line for three phone stipends at $35 a month.
- Gerry asked what line 169 (repairs to parks) is for. Rick replied he has no specific projects in mind for the parks at this time and that the line is level funded for unforeseeable repairs.
- Rick explained that the bids for the brochure printing aren’t due until 12/23 but some of the companies have replied that they cannot come close to this year’s figure. He suggested encumbering the line again this year for the printing.
- Charlie asked why the summer program and special events line is up $1000. Rick replied that he raised the line to $3000 from $2500 because it was overspent this year. Gail asked how many programs this line covers and Rick replied the line is for the weekly free family nights at the park in the summer. Paula asked if he has seen an increase in the attendance and Rick replied yes. Paula asked what the additional $500 would do and Rick replied that it would offset some of the events if sponsorship continues to stay down.
- Charlie asked what the Hay Day line is for and Rick replied this line funds the fireworks only. Charlie questioned if this should be scaled down based on the economy and that this line is 30% of this budget. Rick replied that he would not suggest it because it is a major community event that people look forward to each year. Joan asked if collection cans are still put out to help support the fireworks and Rick replied he was unaware of this practice but he certainly could do so, however the fireworks are bid out in February so he would need a firm dollar amount to work with then. Gerry and Joan both commented that they feel the money is well spent because it brings people into town.
- Gail asked what the $6000 for summer programs is for and Rick replied the line is used to subsidize the summer payroll that doesn’t get paid for with the rec. revolving fund. Gail asked if summer camp is self-funding and Rick replied no. Gerry asked for a copy of the revolving fund sheets. Gail asked if the program can be scaled down to bring the cost down. Rick explained he did cut the program by removing large trips and staff, but the problem is also due to a cut in grant funding. They used to get $20,000 and now they are only getting $12,000.
C. Police Department Budget:
- Paula asked if the $9900 for the JAG grant was taken out of line 140 (police grants) and Scott replied no, it is still in the budget. Paula asked if this should be taken out and considered as revenue. Scott replied that out of the $18,360 the Town will really only have to pay out $1710 because the rest will come in as revenue. Pam agreed that it doesn’t matter either way because the outcome is the same. Paula asked Scott if he will come back in for a final okay when the grant money comes in and Scott replied he wasn’t planning on it because the grant is for particular purchases that the Board already agreed to when he applied. Joan added that she remembers the Board already approving the grant for a weapon storage system and three laptops for the cruisers.
- Charlie asked if line 128 (training) can be reduced based on history and Scott replied that he did look at this but he is sending three officers to two different SWAT trainings.
- Charlie asked if the uniform line can be reduced since there are no major expenditures earmarked and there are no potential new hires. Scott replied that he cannot reduce the line because he has officers that need uniforms replaced because their current ones are worn out.
- Charlie noted that cruiser maintenance line is level funded and questioned if it is reasonable to reduce it based on the new vehicles. Scott replied it could probably be reduced a little. It was agreed upon to reduce the line to $8000.
- Charlie then asked if the supply line can be reduced because historically the line has not spent this much. Scott replied that he proposed $7500 for this line so he is not sure why it reads $10,000. The line was changed to $7500.
- Charlie noted that he is opposed to budgeting $14,800 for tazers in the new equipment line based on budgetary concerns and he doesn’t think the entire department should be outfitted at one time. Scott explained when he brought up the purchasing of the tazers through the grant he was told to bring it back up at budget time and since then have had several workmen’s compensation claims where tazers could have been employed and the injuries could have been avoided. He really believes that tazers are invaluable to the department and if the Board chose the $9000 JAG grant could be used to purchase them. Gail asked if each officer needs one or if they can be shared. Scott replied that every officer should be issued their own for tracking and liability reasons. Charlie commented
that he would like to see a policy for the use of tazers before he would consider approving their purchase. Gerry added that he is not in favor of tazers but he could concede to purchasing three with cameras attached for the cruisers. Paula asked how much this would cost and Kevin replied they are $1500 per unit and the cameras are about $400 more. Scott stated that $5000 would be the maximum needed for this purchase because he would need to purchase training cartridges as well. He then added that Connor (the dog) just recovered money in a drug seizure last week and that should be enough to cover this purchase when the money is released. The line was reduced to $8000. Gerry McCarthy motioned to allow the drug forfeiture money to be used to purchase three tazers with cameras in the event it is awarded to the department and the tazers are to be assigned to the on-duty officer, 2nd Gail Ellis. Discussion followed in which Scott agreed to notify the Board when this funding is
available for the purchase and to forward the Board a copy of the tazer policy he creates. Motion carried with Charlie King opposed.
Gerry asked if the personnel salaries are budgeted at 52 weeks and Pam replied yes.
Gerry asked for an update on the building maintenance at the PD. Scott explained the skylights are in and he has $248 left on the line though he still hasn’t addressed the water and heating issues. Gerry asked why the baseboard heating wasn’t put in when the electric circuits were updated. Scott replied there wasn’t enough money and his first priority is to close the cracks on the outside of the building, waterproof it and insulate then the roof repairs and then the heating issues. Gail commented that the schools are looking at brick sealing too so maybe Tony can see if we can get in on their bids. Tony will talk to Ms. Langa.
Paula asked why the grant line is budgeted like it is and questioned why a line isn’t being created for expending like the FEMA lines. Pam replied that it is the same thing either way because the revenue comes in to offset the expenditures.
Scott stated that there are surveillance cameras available for a few hundred dollars that he would recommend to address the illegal dumping issues. Gerry commented that the Conservation Commission has just purchased the same cameras and recommend Scott and Joel talk to them.
D. Animal Control Budget –
- Scott forwarded the new Cocheco Valley Humane Society sheltering agreement and Farmington’s share has increased plus they have a change in policy where they are charging per animal now. Scott explained that he has looked into other alternatives but they are definitely not cost effective and that he will call the Humane Society on Tuesday to get the actual budget costs.
- Charlie asked how many hours the Animal Control Officer works and Scott replied 25 hours and she brings in about $9000 in revenue.
- Scott informed the Board that he reviewed Joel’s Parking Ban draft and had a few suggestions for changes he forwarded to Joel. Also, he believes it has to go to the Town for approval because it is an ordinance.
At 9:22pm, Joan Funk motioned for a short recess, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried.
At 9:32pm the meeting reconvened.
E. Water/Sewer Budget –
- Dale informed the Board that the water department was awarded a grant and the town’s match is in labor only. Also, he went back through his budget and it still shows $27,800 in deficit spending; however the Board could take the mainline renewal line of $20,000 out and fund this through capital outlay. Charlie then brought up not funding the $10,000 for CIP. Dale said the mainline renewal Orange St. area project should be ready this summer so that should be put in the CIP line if not budgeted for in his department.
- Dale reminded the Board that if hydrant fees of $100 a hydrant are put in place this would bring in additional revenue. Charlie questioned if a warrant should be put forward for his because the town would be liable for the public hydrants and therefore tax money would be put in the enterprise fund. Gerry and Gail both stated that would be opposed to charging for public hydrants but a private hydrant fee would be okay. Dale stated there are 23 private hydrants and the fee would cover the yearly maintenance.
- The Board agreed to cut the $10,000 CIP line and reduce it to 0.
- The Board agreed to cut the $20,000 mainline renewal line and put this amount in the capital reserve line so the project is funded.
- Gail asked for the balance of the water budget and Dale replied it was $83,708 as of 12/18/09.
- Dale explained the 2010 projected revenue for the wastewater department is $338,000 and he would like to transfer $10,000 to the CIP.
4. Sewer Abatement Request:
Dale informed the Board that Diane Mros has received a sewer abatement for several years. She has requested 10,000 gallon abatement for the water she used to fill her pool although she did not use the sewer deduction meter because it was broken. Dale reviewed her usage and calculated the usage for filling the pool and feel the number is closer to 4500-5000 gallons. He would strongly suggest that if the Board approves the abatement they make it a condition that she gets the sewer deduct meter repaired and use for all outside water usage in order to qualify for any future sewer abatements. Dale recommends abating 6300 gallons at $37.93.
Gerry McCarthy motioned to abate 6300 gallons at $37.93 for Diane Mros and send a letter to her explaining the condition that further abatements will not be granted without the use of the sewer deduct meter, 2nd Joan Funk. Motion carried with Charlie King opposed.
5. Grant Acceptance:
Dale informed the Board that the Town was awarded the NHDES 2010 Local Source Water Protection Program Grant at $18,880. This funding is to install fencing around wells 4, 5 and 6 and signage as well. The match is about $4000 which will be all in labor and backhoe hours.
Joan Funk motioned to accept the $18,880 NHDES 2010 Local Source Water Protection Program Grant and authorize Tony to sign it, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried.
6. Public Works:
A. Landfill Closure – Joel informed the Board that NHDES has approved the capping of the landfill utilizing a soil capping system so he can now better define the cost.
B. Engine 2 Update – Charlie stated that it appears the pump passed the pumping test with no problems and questioned if the oil pressure pump should be replaced with a new pump. Joel will get that information and forward it to the Board and the Fire Chief.
7. Other:
A. Generator Estimates – Tony recommended installing a 17 KVA single phase propane generator with a 100A automatic transfer switch that will power the first floor and the furnace of the Municipal Building.
Joan Funk motioned to contract LaClair Electric to install the recommended generator with the cost to not exceed $7,460, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion carried with Gerry McCarthy abstaining.
B. Paula informed the Board that they received a request from Douglass and Gail Stewart to meet and discuss their property off of Meaderboro Road. Tony will forward the request to the new Planner.
C. Gerry reminded Tony that he is still looking for a copy of the County CIP and Tony said he will follow-up with the request again.
D. Gerry asked if Tony has heard anything back from the State regarding the property on Rte. 11. Tony said he sent a reply but he is awaiting more information from them but he will follow-up again.
At 10:51pm, Joan Funk motioned to go in non-public session under RSA91A.3.II (a), (b) and (c), 2nd Gail Ellis. Roll Call – Paula Proulx (yes), Gail Ellis (yes), Gerry McCarthy (yes), Charlie King (yes) and Joan Funk (yes).
Joan Funk motioned to adjourn, 2nd Gerry McCarthy. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:33pm.
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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