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BUDGET COMMITTEE
Minutes of the November 12, 2009 Public Meeting
*Minutes are not FINAL until approved by Committee Vote
ATTENDANCE X = Present, E = Excused
ELECTED OFFICIALS |
ROLE |
TERM EXPIRES |
E |
Charlene Andersen, Chair |
Capital Improvement Program Rep |
2010 |
E |
Kyle Barry |
School Building Advisory Committee Rep |
2011 |
x |
Chet Batchelder |
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Rep |
2012 |
x x |
Scott Curry |
Impact Fee Committee Rep |
2010 |
x |
Donna Danis |
Capital Improvement Program Alternate |
2012 |
x |
John Decker, Outgoing Chair |
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Alternate |
2011 |
x |
Michael Koester, ViceChair |
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Alternate |
2011 |
E |
Lovely Love |
Board appointed Member at Large |
2010* |
|
|
Appointed by Committee to fill Term |
2010* |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Board Members |
REPRESENTING |
|
x x |
Peter Bock Selectman** |
Board of Selectman (BOS) |
2012 |
Ex xx |
Dave O’Brien School Board |
Nottingham School Board |
2011 |
AGENDA
7:00 pm Call to order, introductions
7:02 Town Budget Financials – Draft 1
7:45 Review minutes from 10/22/09
7:50 Newsletter Article for Forum
7:55 Committee Reports
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Report – Chet
CIP Committee Report - Charlene
School Building Committee Report – Kyle
~~~~~~~~ Impact Fee Study Committee – Scott/Donna
~~~~~~~~ School Board Representative Report – David
~~~~~~~~ BOS Representative Report - Gary
8:10 pm Other Business & Roundtable
7:10 pm CALL TO ORDER-INTRODUCTIONS
Vice Chair Koester called the meeting to order when quorum reached. Members introduced themselves.
**Bock filled in for Gary Anderson
7:12 pm TOWN BUDGET FINANCIALS – DRAFT 1
Town Administrator Charlie Brown had the floor. Brown brought copies of the Town of Nottingham Budget Worksheet Expenditures and the Supplemental Narrative of the overall budget. Brown pointed out items on that would need more information, may raise questions, highlighted no increases, and took questions from the members. He emphasized this is the first draft.
Executive: 4130.10-010 through 500
010, 014,016, No salary increase
225 Internet
Curry asked about Internet for Police, Fire and Town.
Brown explained that it is one internet provider but each department has a separate line, adding each department has a line for telephone but same vendor.
Town Clerk: 4140.10-101 through 500
Costs had previously been under budgeted. Reviewing previous year budget expense and year to date the figure represents a truer line item. The overall budget for the Town Clerk reflects fees, office supplies and postage, as well as conservation by the department. Danis questioned if the budget reflected election needs for 2010, as there could be a Primary as well as the General election.
Accounting & Auditing 4150.10-010-500
Curry noted an increase. Concerns raised regarding previous years total less why a high projection.
Revaluation of Property: 4152.10-010-398
- AS Data Verification
- AS Valuation Update
Batchelder pointed out the Data Verification done every year on a percentage of properties. Brown explained the changes for proposed 2010 budget of the two items noted in the narrative section of Property Appraisal. The Valuation Update is requirement of the NH Constitution. It will bring Nottingham property values in line with fair market value and is for all properties. The proposed budget reflects the increase.
Legal Expense 4153.10-320,450,690
Brown pointed out that “other” expenses included water testing and well monitoring.
Curry questioned if the Town Attorney item lowered. Previous budgets reflect amounts proposed not spent. Question from the audience to confirm fiscal year runs from January to December. Curry and Bock were concerned with ongoing legal issues outstanding with USA Springs Company bankruptcy, property, and new business plan. Need to pay attention to this budge line expressed with future developments of USA Springs.
Personnel Administration 4155.10-638-672
Brown drew attention to the rise of insurance costs of 16%. He has solicited Request for Proposals.
Planning Board 4191.10-010-510
- PB Planner
- PB Dues/Conferences
Total Request Increase
Brown’s explanation for increasing the budget under Planner are to achieve the Planning Board’s goals effectively and timely due to the many changes in the law, needed regulation reviews, and possible new ordinances. The Planning Board’s new members will be able to attend conferences to increase their knowledge of regulations.
Zoning Board 4193.10-010-500
Increases relate to increases in Planning Board.
General Government Buildings 4194.10-010-500
The increase is to replace the roof on the old building where the trucks are. Members discussed the department’s plan and voter approved site development. Brown reported the old site continues to serve the highway department's needs.
Nottingham has not yet received the grant awarded from the NH Preservation Alliance. Brown received the announcement of the award but did not have the figures with him to report to the members what the amount was. The monies will go to work Old Town Hall Building from this past summer and future needed repairs.
Insurance Not Otherwise Allocated 4196.10-610-900
Brown pointed out that usage is up in this area but indicated costs are more reflective of spending.
Advertising and Regional Association 4197.10-260
Koester voiced concern about membership with the Strafford Regional Planning Commission Nottingham. If there were other, Regional Planning Commissions that might be a better fit. He also asked if data is available for a five year rolling average. Koester commented this information could help set budgets in the future giving a longer average of costs. Brown answered that he has no program storing the information but he may be able to pull records together in the future.
Police Department 4210.10-10-515
Brown indicated the salary line increase reflects retaining of officers. Expressing his opinion that is speaks well that officers are staying here and not looking to move to other towns and taking their experience with them. The YTD column should be closer in line to this year’s budget by year-end.
The PD did not purchase the new cruiser this year. The money approved in 2009 is on account for 2010. The plan is to rotate the car over to the Fire Department for the Fire Chief.
Fire Department 4220.10-010-512
- Full Time Salary
- Full Time Overtime Salary
- Equipment Office
The Fire Chief has done a new system for paying staff. The full time salary would have to work 45 hours before overtime salary would kick in. Even though the 2010 budget reflects a significant increase in the full time salary, the overtime salary is less and continues to go down. The over time salary is a higher rate of pay. The higher regular salary should be a truer reflection of staffing salaries and hours worked. Brown will all provide an amended overtime salary figures at the next meeting he attends.
Members were concerned with purchasing high-end laptops given the hard use. May be financially better to replace inexpensive computers then buy high end not able to handle the hard use.
Code Enforcement 4240.10-10-500
Overall decrease
Emergency Management 4290.10-10-510
Overall decrease
Highway 4312.10-010-550
The increase is for tire replacement. Fuel is always a difficult figure to predict. Members questioned drug fees. Brown said the state requires drug screening. The current testing site sends a notice and the driver has to report. Questions surfaced about the frequency of notices.
Solid Waste Recycle 4321.10-010-500
The increases for fees are what the Town pays when they take the refuse or recycling items to the vendor. Often if any thing is out of place, the whole container then is not paid and the town loses money. There has been talk of providing a pick up service. Suggestions to save money are welcome.
General Assistance 4441.10100-505
Brown commented about the generous people that live in Nottingham. The Coordinator is doing a great job for Nottingham.
Vendor Payments 4445.10-016-048
Brown noted that not all vendors have submitted requests. He is using figures from previous submissions.
Parks and Recreation 4520.10-010-220
- Equip/Supplies/Maintenance
Brown said the narrative would do a better job. Maintenance of the fields has increased.
Finally, Brown pointed out the Library budget is down as well as the Historical Society. When Brown comes back, he asks that members bring the reports as he will update the information but trying to conserve paper will not print the changes out. He will bring Tax Rate calculations and should have the year ending information.
8:50 pm Review of MINUTES
Decker motioned for the minutes to be approved and Danis second.
VC asked for discussion. Without discussion or corrections, the minutes passed with Bock abstaining.
8:55 pm Newsletter
VC advised members that the newsletter deadline had been two weeks earlier. The members agreed to have the letter sent to the Forum and copies available and posted in the town office.
9:00 pm Committee Reports
HCCP: Batchelder reminded members of a town meeting on Nov 16 at 6:30 pm to share the Master Plan as drafted.
CIP: Chair sent a report via email that VC read.
We have received the Fire Rescue, School District and Cable Franchise Renewal Committee. ~The Fire and School requests are consistent with previous requests. ~We continue to meet and pull requests and information together.
School Building: Kyle excused
Impact Fees: Nothing to report
School Board Excused
BOS
9:09 pm Other Business and Roundtable
9:10 pm Motion to adjourn made by Decker Second Danis.
9:12 pm Adjourn
Upcoming Meetings all meetings in Conference RM 1, Town Hall and are OPEN to public.
In addition, meetings are televised on cable.
Dec 03, 2009 – 7:00 PM (Thursday) |
Town Department Heads School Board Budget 2nd Presentation by SAU/SB |
Dec 11, 2009 – 7:00 PM (Thursday) |
Town Department Heads |
Dec 17, 2009 – 7:00 PM (Thursday) |
School Budget – Final Review including tax impact Town Department Heads (if needed) |
Draft submitted Jill Sunde November 19, 009
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