SELECTMEN’S MEETING
December 14, 2006
Call to Order
Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:07pm. In attendance were Chairman Gary F. Nelson, Selectman John P. Ulcickas, Selectman Robert S. Donovan, Jr., Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley and Office Manager Mary B. Winglass. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Office Manager Mary B. Winglass.
Review of the 2007 proposed budgets
Gale Library
The Board met with Library Trustees Carol Szot, Sarah Woodman and Marilyn Landry to discuss the 2007 proposed library budget.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the 2007 Gale Library proposed budget for 94,982.00. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Summer and Winter Highway
The Board met with Road Agent Frank Gibbs and discussed the Highway Block Grant that the town receives each year from the state. After some discussion, the Board requested that we check with the Town of Plaistow on the wording of their warrant article to spend the Highway Block Grant separately.
Road Agent Frank Gibbs gave the Selectmen copies of four invoices to be encumbered from his 2006 Summer and Winter Highway budget, if funds are available at the end of the year. The encumbrance includes repairs to Dugway Road, Maple Avenue and Wentworth Avenue. The Board approved to encumber the funds for these repairs, only if the funds are available at the end of the year.
Road Agent Frank Gibbs discussed his plan for road repairs for 2007. They include hot top for Dugway Road and Wentworth Avenue and repairs to Maple Avenue, Heath Street and Smith Corner Road.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the summer highway budget from the proposed budget of $224,793.28 reduced to $171,067.00. Second by Selectman Ulcickas. Vote: Unanimous.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the winter highway budget from the proposed budget of $174,963.00 reduced to $181,863.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Police Department
Police Chief Larry Streeter requested that the Board approve the 2007 budget as submitted for the following reasons, to include but not all; activity level has increased to the extent that it is difficult to maintain an excellent service quality; the last full-time officer position was added in 1996 which brought the staffing level to 5 full time officers; the town’s population has increased since 1996 from 3,888 to it’s current population of approximately 4,494 and with the growth in town increases the police department’s activity. Chief Streeter added that the proposed budget is a responsible one that balances the requirements of the department with needs to the Town.
The Board discussed with Chief Streeter the 12% rate increase to the Health Insurance, proposed raises for the employees and the new equipment purchases to include a computer network server, less than lethal (Tasers) and a Notebook Computer for the cruiser. The Board agreed that the new equipment purchases should come from the DeVito funds not the budget.
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the Police Department revised budget from the proposed $603,657 reduced to $588,242. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Selectman Ulcickas left at approximately 7:40pm due to not feeling well.
Election, Registration and Vital Statistics
The Board reviewed the 2007 proposed election, registration and vital statistics budget with Town Clerk/Tax Collector Raymond Thayer. The Board discussed personnel expenses and fees as well as the town’s service contract with E-Reg. Mr. Thayer stated that he would have no problem canceling the contract with E-Reg. It was discussed that this was the first year and maybe we should try it for another year. After making some adjustments to the budget, the Board made the following motion;
Chairman Nelson motioned to accept the amended Election, Registration and Vital Statistics budget for $78,751.00. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Fire Department
The Board reviewed a memo from Fire Chief Bill Ingalls stating that on December 7th he attended a meeting of the Seacoast Chief Fire Officers and it was voted to increase the annual START dues by 10%, therefore Chief Ingalls request to adjust his budget accordingly with an increase of $102. Town Administrator Nancy J. Wrigley stated that since the budget has already been approved and $102 will not make a big impact on the department’s budget, she recommended that the Board keep things as they stand. The Board agreed to leave the budget as it stands and to not increase it by $102.
Adjourn
Chairman Nelson motioned to adjourn at 9:27pm. Second by Selectman Donovan. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary B. Winglass
Office Manager
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