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Town of Lyme
Budget Committee
December 13th, 2006
7:00PM
Fire Station Training Room
Approved: December 20th, 2006
Present at this meeting: Selectmen: Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman, Charles Ragan & Richard Jones. Budget Committee Members: Chairman Barney Brannen, Mike Smith, Dave Caffry, Josh Kilham, Elizabeth Glenshaw, Wayne Tullar & Gibb Cornwell. School Board Representative: Kathy McGowan. Community Members: David & Barbara Roby, Ross MacIntyre. Staff: Administrative Assistant Carole Bont & Bookkeeper/Scribe Dina Cutting.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chair Brannen.
The Budget Committee discussed the option of voting or not voting at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Jones mentioned that if the department heads have no idea how the budget committee is going to vote on their individual budgets, they will not know if they need to come to the next meeting. It was the sense of the Committee that to be fair to the department heads, the Budget Committee will go through the budget and take a tentative vote at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Brannen suggested going through the budget line by line and voting.
Mr. Cornwell moved to approve the minutes of the December 6th, 2006 meeting. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. Corrections were offered. In section #1, add “Mr. Lehmann stated” so that the line reads “Mr. Lehmann stated he felt the tax increase has been too much over the past few years.” In section #15, add “Mr. Jones said” so the line will read “Mr. Jones said the Town Office Committee is in a tizzy.”
*The motion was voted unanimously in favor with corrections noted.
1) Mr. Brannen passed out spreadsheets he had done showing the past percentage increases for the Town, County, and School tax increase. He explained that he tried to factor out the assessment piece of the money in these spreadsheets. The State adequacy funds were discussed. An error in a percentage was found, which Mr. Brannen will correct before sending it out to all Budget Committee members. The spreadsheets will be attached to the minutes of this meeting.
BUDGET REVIEW:
4130-4139 Executive:
Followed was a discussion concerning money requested for conferences and seminars. Mrs. McGowan noted that staff training is very important. The Selectmen did cut some from this line but felt that there was still enough money in this line for adequate training. This line did have money in it for 3 office workers to go to the Local Government Center seminar for three days. This may be a year they cannot go. Mr. Lehmann requested Mr. Brannen read from an e-mail that he had sent in his absence. Mr. Lehmann suggested all employees receive a cost of living raise of 3.3% to be consistent with the COLA set by the Government. Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman explained that the Selectmen had set a raise for all employees of 4%. The Selectmen had a wage and salary study done a few years ago. Over the last 2 years, they were working on
getting employees up to where they should be and they do not want to fall behind again. Mrs. McGowan noted the school is using the CPI which is 4.02% this year for the school staff. Mr. Ragan expressed concern over the fact that there is no system set up for the town to reward individual employees for excellent work. In the past, there have been substantial raises for some employees; it seems like we just pick and choose. Followed was a lengthy discussion concerning the past wage and salary study, the town not having a performance review process to follow. It is difficult to develop a fair system that will work for the town employees. A lot of the town employees wear different hats and do many different jobs so it is difficult to find comparative wages. The Town has no evaluation process that would allow different wage recommendations based on merit.
*Mr. Cornwell moved line 23 for $112,429.30. Seconded by Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman. Voted unanimously in favor.
4140-4149 Elections, Registrations and Vital Statistics:
The missing vital records line was discussed. Patricia Jenks, Town Clerk, will be asked if this line is needed. Line 40 is the money needed to purchase a new laptop for the voter check list supervisors. This is an unfunded mandate. The state has provided training on this new system but each town is required to have a laptop at the polls.
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 41 at $71,516.80. Seconded by Mr. Kilham. Voted unanimously in favor.
4150-4151 Financial Administration:
Mrs. McGowen stated she was concerned that the Treasurer cut her own pay and requested the Bookkeeper receive the difference and this did not happen. Followed was a brief discussion on how some of the Treasurer’s duties have shifted to the bookkeeper’s job. Ms. Bont reviewed her budget request for the bookkeeper’s position. This included the Treasurer’s amount, a 4% increase and 150 hours of overtime. The Selectmen explained that they gave the Bookkeeper the standard 4% increase. No provision for over-time or the additional sum relocated from the Treasurer. Mrs. McGowan noted she would like to hear more from the Treasurer.
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 66 at $113,013.92. Seconded by Mr. Cornwell.
Mr. Jones reminded the Budget Committee they do not have the authority to set employee salary and wages. After a brief discussion, Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman called the question.
*The motion was voted 5 in favor, 2 opposed. The motion passed.
4152 Revaluation of Property:
Ms. Bont gave a brief description of Ms. Calder’s (Tax Assessor) duties. There is also assessing money in lines 421 & 422.
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 80 at $74,238.85. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. Voted unanimously in favor.
4153 Legal Expenses:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 82 at $35,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. Voted unanimously in favor.
4155-4159 Personnel Administration:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 89 at $62,203.24. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. Voted unanimously in favor.
4191-4193 Planning & Zoning:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 106 at $65,311.70. Seconded by Mr. Kilham. The Selectmen have recommended the funds for the aquifer study and geological mapping be voted on at town meeting in a separate warrant article.
*Motion voted unanimously in favor.
Note: Mr. Smith arrived at this time. Total votes will be 8 from now on.
4194 General Government:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 116 at $10,564.00. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. The Selectmen do not have a number for the Temporary Town Office line # 115. If the bond does not pass, this line will need to be increased at town meeting. The Selectmen may need to move employees out of the basement. The air quality is not good and needs to be addressed. Ms. Bont stated there are some issues with carbon monoxide in the police station also. Ms. Bont is looking into some air filtering systems for both of these buildings. *The motion was voted 6 in favor, 2 abstentions.
4195 Cemeteries:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 131 at $ 50,509.01. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. The Perpetual Care line is an in and out. Voted unanimously in favor.
4196 Insurance:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 143 at $43,100.00. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. Voted unanimously in favor.
4197 Advertising & Regional Association:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 143 at $2,385.00. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. Voted unanimously in favor.
4199 Other General Government:
*Mr. Cornwell moved line 145 at $100.00. Seconded by Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman. Voted unanimously in favor.
4210-4214 Police:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 163 at $180,339.41. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. The Selectmen clarified the number of personnel in the police department. Mr. Roby expressed concerns that this budget is too high. Followed was a brief explanation that the Budget Committee had cut the full time police officer in the past and the town added it back in at town meeting. Mr. Tullar noted that the Animal Control Officer does a good job for the Town. *The motion was voted unanimously in favor.
4215-4219 Ambulance:
*Mr. Smith moved line 165 at $38,500.00. Seconded by Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman. This money is for the contracted ambulance service with the Town of Hanover. Also unpaid ambulance bills are paid from this account. *Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4220-4229 Fire:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 191 at $36,480.00. Seconded by Mr. Kilham. The Clothing Major Equipment line has been zeroed out for this department budget. It will show up in the Besse Hall Capital Reserve Fund line. This expense has been moved to Line 562. The training line and the station maintenance & repair line have also been cut. *Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4290-4298 Emergency Management:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 200 at $2,675.00. Seconded by Mr. Cornwell. The generator and the training lines have been cut. The Fire Department has a few portable generators. They feel this is enough for now. Money has been received to help with a town-wide mailing for emergency preparedness for the pandemic flu. *This motion was voted unanimously in favor.
4299 Other Public Safety:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 202 at $17,400.00. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. This line has dispatch charges and an upgrade for the police laptop to enable them to communicate with Hanover dispatch.*Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4312 Highway and Streets:
*Mr. Caffry moved line 244 at $637,016.86. Seconded by Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman. The Selectmen have made the half-time position a full-time position. Followed was a brief discussion concerning the Transfer Station under the Highway budget. The Highway overtime has been reduced in this budget request. The road upgrade money in the 2007 budget will go towards the Goose Pond Road project. *This motion was voted unanimously in favor.
4316 Street Lights:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 246 at $2,000.00. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4323 Solid Waste Collection:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 263 at $22,684.53. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. The payroll line has been reduced by the Selectmen. Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4324 Solid Waste Disposal:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 272 at $51,050.00. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4415-4419 Health Agencies and Hospitals and Others:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 292 at $14,935.00. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. The reports for the various agencies are printed in the Town Report for all to review. *Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4441-4442 Administration and Direct Assistance:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 299 at $5,350.00. Seconded by Mrs. McGowan. The Town Poor Expendable Trust Fund is tracked in a different part of the spreadsheet now. Next week, the Budget Committee will receive numbers for this account. *This motion was voted unanimously in favor.
4520-4529 Parks and Recreation:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 330 at $59,365.63. Seconded by Mr. Caffry.
The condition of the beach and ball field was brought up for discussion. Mr. MacIntyre suggested significant repairs be done to the ball field to accommodate the high water at Post Pond. Mr. MacIntyre did note that he felt the beaver deceiver was helping and the option of having another next year will probably be necessary. The Selectmen suggested the ball field repairs be a separate warrant article for the town to vote at town meeting. Followed was a discussion concerning the condition of the beach and recreation area. It was noted that a couple of thousand dollars was a small amount to add in if it could make a big difference for the beach area. *This motion was voted 3 in favor, 5 opposed. Motion does not pass.
*Mr. Smith moved to add $1,600.00 to line 322 Beach repairs. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. Mrs. Cutting reviewed what was requested in this line: beaver deceiver, fencing, new ladder for float, & misc. parts for the float. Mrs. McGowan offered an amendment to restore line 322 Beach repairs to the original request of $2,500.00. This amendment was accepted by Mr. Smith and Mr. Caffry. *This motion to change line 322 to $2,500.00; Total department request line 330 to be $61,615.63 was voted 7 in favor, 1 opposed.
4550-4559 Library:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 358 at $125,459.36. Seconded by Mr. Smith. The Selectmen reviewed the requested changes to the Library budget. Followed was a discussion concerning the past budget challenges for the Library and the Town. There is no income from the school included in the 2007 requested budget from the Library. Mr. Brannen informed the Budget Committee that he had discussed the issues with Ms. Russell. The Library Trustees are very sensitive to the increase in the Library budget this year. The School, Library, Budget Committee representative, and Selectmen’s representative will be meeting to discuss this issue. Followed was a lengthy discussion concerning changes in the school’s budget because of the need to hire a media specialist. Mrs. McGowan informed the Budget Committee that the School
Board would be meeting the following night to discuss and vote on this issue. She was hesitant to give many details because the School Board had not voted yet. The school is contemplating contributing $10,000.00 to the Town side of the budget for Library services. The request to change how things are done between the School and Library has come from the Library. The Budget Committee felt the representatives from the 4 boards need to find the time to get together and discuss this. It is unlikely that the Town will support this budget. *Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman offered an amendment to her motion. Change the figure on line 358 to 0. Mr. Smith accepted this amendment.* The motion to move line 358 at $0 was voted 4 in favor, 2 opposed and 2 abstained (McGowan & Caffry). The amended motion passed.
4583 Patriotic Purposes:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 362 at $1,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Kilham. It was noted this line is over budget for the 2006 budget because the common electricity needed to be fixed. *Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4611-4612 Administration and Purchase of Natural Resources:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 373 at $1,800.00. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. Voted unanimously in favor.
4711 Principal-Long Term Bonds & Notes:
*Mr. Smith moved line 377 at $25,000.00. Seconded by Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman. Voted unanimously in favor.
4721 Interest-Long Term Bonds & Notes:
*Mr. Caffry moved line 379 at $22,375.00. Seconded by Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman. Voted unanimously in favor.
4723 Interest on Tax Anticipation Note:
*Mr. Caffry moved line 381 at $11,000.00. Seconded by Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman. Voted unanimously in favor.
4901 Land and Improvements:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 391 at $130,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Kilham. This is money in a Capital Reserve Fund. The Selectmen would withdraw this money for the purchase of land for a Town Offices Building. Concerns were noted that there was not enough information on the project to vote on this. *Motion voted 6 in favor, 2 abstentions.
4902 Machinery, Vehicles & Equipment:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 404 at $361,500.00. Seconded by Mr. Caffry.
The Fast Squad vehicle funds will not be carried over from last year. The contract was never signed by the company so this is not a fixed price. *Motion voted 7 in favor, 1 abstention.
4903 Buildings:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 413 at $1,935,000.00. No second was offered. The motion can not be voted and this line was passed over at this time.
4909 Improvements Other Than Buildings:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 428 at $19,250.00. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. Motion voted unanimously in favor.
4915 To Capital Reserve Funds:
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 445 at $297,500.00. Seconded by Mr. Smith. Motion voted 7 in favor, 1 abstention.
4916 To Expendable Trust Funds (except #4919):
*Mrs. Shelnutt Brotman moved line 450 at $30,000.00. Seconded by Mr. Caffry. The Selectmen are requesting a little more than what was spent in 2006 for the Town Poor Trust Fund. *Motion voted unanimously in favor.
At 9:50 the meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting December 20th, 2006. 7:00PM Fire Station training room. This meeting is for the department heads’ rebuttals.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dina Cutting
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