NOTTINGHAM BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 31, 2008
PUBLIC WORK SESSION
APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE 4/24/2008
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Mr. John Decker, Chair Mr. Kyle Barry (Excused)
Mr. Michael Koester
Mr. Kurt Duprey
Mr. Chet Batchelder
Ms. Charlene Andersen
Mr. Archie Fernald
Ms. Gail Powell
Ms. Mary Bonser, BOS Representative
Mr. Terry Bonser, School Board Representative
Mr. Scott Curry (Arrived at 7:46)
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mr. Charles Brown, Town Administrator
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.
The Budget Committee members introduced themselves for the benefit of the television audience.
TOWN BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Mr. Decker opened the working session and introduced the topic that this was a continued review of the town budget as we received the latest changes at last meeting and turned discussion over to Ms Powell and Ms. Andersen who requested the meeting.
Mrs. Powell started by thanking Mr. Brown for making himself available and then turned discussion over to Ms. Andersen.
Ms. Andersen questioned the staff movements and the addition of a staff member. The request is for an additional full time Secretary/Office Assistant. Discussion surrounded the general question, “With increased hours for the planning board office is there a real need for the additional full time position?” Discussion lead to the need is for a staff person that can be versatile in all areas of the town office. It was questioned why this was budgeted for the full year. ACTION: Reduce this rate by 25% reflecting an actual hire date of the end of March.
Ms. Andersen indicated that Account Number 01-4152.10-010, AS Salary Coordinator is incorrect in the Narrative. This is a typo of the Account Number.
Ms. Andersen questioned the difference in the 2006 Annual Report and the actual figure reported for the Treasurers Salary, line 01-4150.10-014. Mr. Brown noted this was a mistake in the Annual Report.
Ms. Andersen questioned the phone accounts for building inspector and emergency management as this was a shared department. Mr. Brown indicated that there was some split between the office phone and the blackberry cell phone. He was unsure of the exact split of these expenses.
Ms. Andersen verified her understanding that the highway mowing and vegetation item was a sub-contracted service.
Ms. Powell asked about the inclusion of the$150,000 liability line item for a new Ambulance which is included as a separate Warrant Article funded from a capital reserve fund. Mr. Decker explained that by law, the governing body still needed to raise and appropriate the $150,000. This is the liability, then the $150,000 from the capital reserve fund would be shown as a revenue resulting in a net of 0 with no current impact on the tax rate.
Ms Powell asked if all FEMA revenues been spent. Mr. Brown indicated that approximately 60,000 have encumbered for Mill Pond Bridge. Additionally, Mr. Brown indicated that there is a request in for Back Creek Bridge for a continuous mitigation grant worth 75% of cost.
Ms. Andersen asked about the $3000 that Emergency Management has put aside for matching funds for grants. Question what grants Emergency Management is seeking and asked to add piece to narrative.
Mr. Koester asked about the Deerfield Road fixes in lieu of Kenard/Merry Hill Roads which were previously indicated. He questioned the funding for a mile of Deerfield road versus the Kenard & Merry Hill Roads which was a greater span of road. It was explained how Mr. John Fernald budgets for road work based on the amount of road that can be accomplished and the actual amount completed will depend on money and time available.
Mr. Brown indicated that updated revenues were being worked on by Mrs. Carlson and should be available for the public hearing. He also indicated that the responses to RFPs should be in so the numbers relating to Revaluation of Property should become firm. He also indicated that there would be some changes to Personnel Administration which should all be going down. These changes refer to lines 641 and after but not every line but do include a change for the retired Police Chief’s portion of insurance which can be taken out as this will be handled directly between the two parties.
Mr. Koester thanked Mr. Brown for attending tonight’s working session and asked the members if there was anything he needed to bring forward to the School Deliberative session. Hearing none.
Mr. Curry made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40pm. Mr. Bonser seconded that motion. The present members of the Budget Committee voted unanimously in favor of that motion. The motion passed 8-0.
Respectfully submitted,
John Decker
Budget Committee Chair
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