NOTTINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Minutes of the January 7, 2010 Public Meeting
*Minutes are FINAL approved by Committee Vote 01/21/2009
ATTENDANCE X = Present, E = Excused
ELECTED OFFICIALS |
ROLE |
TERM EXPIRES |
x |
Charlene Andersen, Chair |
Capital Improvement Program Rep |
2010 |
|
Vacan Vacant |
|
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 |
e |
John Decker |
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Alternate |
2011 |
x |
Michael Koester, ViceChair |
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Alternate |
2011 |
x |
Lovely Love |
Board appointed Member at Large |
2010 |
x |
Doug Simmons |
Appointed by Committee to fill Term |
2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Board Members |
REPRESENTING |
|
x x |
Gary Anderson Selectman |
Board of Selectman (BOS) |
2012 |
|
Vacant |
Nottingham School Board |
2011 |
AGENDA
7:00 Call to order, introductions, Review minutes from 12/17
7:15 ~School Budget ~& Default Budget Final Review before Public Hearing on 14th
8:15 Committee Reports
~~ ~ ~ ~CIP Committee Report - Charlene
~~ ~ ~ ~School Building Committee Report – Kyle
~~~~~~~~Impact Fee Study Committee – Scott/Donna
~~~~~~~~BOS Representative Report - Gary
8:25 Other Business & Roundtable 7:00 ~Call to order, introductions & Review minutes from 12/17/2009
7:05 pm Call to Order and Introductions.
Chair Andersen called meeting to order. Members introduced themselves. Chair requested to move review of minutes until after School Budget presented. Members agreed.
7:15 pm School Budget and Default Budget Final Review before Public Hearing
Jack Caldon from Nottingham School Board, Michelle Carvalho Principal Nottingham School, and Dave Sommer Business Administrator SAU 44 introduced themselves.
Mr. Caldon pointed out that the overall SAU expense decreased for 2010-2011; referring to page 15 of the budget dated 1/07/10. He noted that the overall School Budget for 2010-2011 would only be approximately a 4% increase from 2009-2010.
Scott Curry asked for documents i.e., minutes for the NBC to learn how the board reached their decisions.
Mr. Caldon suggested that the minutes are available for public at the SAU office and online. He continued pointing out that the SAU administration will have no salary increases, and travel expenses decreased. The figures for Health Insurance are not finalized at this time. The teacher negotiations are winding down and Mr. Caldon is hopeful for a contract agreement within the week.
Chair asked Ms. Carvalho about the documents requested. Ms Carvalho sent them and will send again.
Ms. Danis asked the principal about the indoor swing equipment request for 2011. Ms. Carvalho explained the swing is for sensory sensitive students and that it would help calm the student using the swing. Eight students are eligible to use the swing during supervised sensory breaks.
Chair asked about the utility usage of the school.
Ms. Carvalho reported
Lighting changes has seen a savings of 49% and has paid for itself in two years.
Heating no firm numbers temperatures set cooler when building is not in use.
She pointed out costs for utilities for Northwood school are roughly $69K to Nottingham’s $50k+.
Nottingham has switched to propane.
Ms Carvalho deferred questions about costs of Health Insurance until the negotiations settle with the teachers adding that the contract is in final stages. Mr. Caldon added that the possibility exists for the contract to be for only one year.
Chet Batchelder asked about the difference in assessment from the regular budget vs. the default budget request. Mr. Caldon estimated approximately $0.61 per thousand for the regular budget and $0.53 per thousand for the default budget. Mr. Caldon added that some budget items are out of the school board control. Tuition for high school students, health insurance costs, purchase of Math books to improve testing scores, and transportation. Adding 85% of the budget includes "fixed" costs.
Ms. Andersen wanted to know how to offset the costs. Mr. Caldon said the revenues should explain.
Mr. Batchelder appreciated the explanations included with the budget.
Ms. Carvalho has the copies requested regarding internet service and computer purchases, gave to chair.
Mr. Batchelder questioned the site for school additions.
Ms. Carvalho said one of the proposals included adding to the front and back of the classroom section in a shape of a U or L. Expanding the library and cafeteria. The $18K requested would be part of the site planning process. The projections are for approximately 700 student by 2017 she responded to Mr. Curry’s question.
Mr. Curry also questioned if the school planning related to the overall growth committee studies. Check the website for the school for further information. http://nottingham.k12.nh.us/
Ms. Danis requested further information on why now and if grants were possible for the Special Education swing. Ms. Carvalho responded that different populations have different needs. They have other equipment and the swing would compliment what is available to children with sensory issues.
Mr. Anderson questioned the price reduction for the repaving. Ms. Carvalho explained they looked closely at the priority of the paving. The curb/sidewalk area in front of the school is in serious need of repair. Other areas were not in as much need.
Chair requested further information for the public hearing on January 14. The School District representatives hoped the NBC presentation to the public be done as presented to the NBC. Feedback from the public meeting goes back to the school board. The NBC members will consider the feedback as well from the public. Ms. Danis encouraged members of the committee to review the documents for the meeting of the 14th. She remains concerned about discretionary funds vs. fixed. After the budget presentation and public commenting portion, the remainder of the meeting will be for NBC to discuss and vote. The meeting remains open to the public without further comments.
Vice Chair Koester thanked the representatives for trying to keep the costs increases to a minimum. Mr. Curry commended the representatives for their presentation and efforts.
Tax Impact and Revenues reports picked up by Chair or sent electronically and copies distributed at meeting. Chair will email RSA regulations on the role of the Budget Committee and recording votes.
8:20 Committee Reports
CIP Committee Report – Chair Andersen
CIP wrap up within week. Next meeting scheduled for 1/11/2010.
IMPACT FEES SUB-COMMITTEE – Curry and Danis
Mr. Curry concerned about the bill submitted by the consultant. Both Mr. Curry and Ms. Danis had not received notifications of meetings. Concerned what work the consultant did.
BOS – Anderson
Attorney General for New Hampshire was a guest on Monday January 4 to answer questions from the community. Issues are still pending regarding large ground water withdrawals, Dept. of Transportation permits for driveway, payment due the Town, the bankruptcy hearing, and if the project will go ahead.
8:26 pm OTHER BUSINESS & ROUNDTABLE
Chair read letter from Barry Kyle resigning his position on the board. Mr. Curry made the motion to accept with regret and Ms. Danis accepted. Vote unanimous to accept resignation.
Batchelder requested dates to sign up to run for office available at public meeting.
Chair will receive Revenues from Charlie Brown town administrator. Need by meeting of 1/21/10.
8:36 pm ADJOURN
Ms. Danis motion to adjourn. Mr. Anderson second.
DRAFT: Submitted 01/13/20109
Jill Sunde
FUTURE MEETING DATES OF INTEREST
Jan 21, 2010 – 7:00 PM |
Town Office |
Town Budget – Final Review including tax impact |
Jan 28, 2009 – 7:00 PM |
Town Office |
<If Needed> |
Feb 3, 2010 – 7:00 PM (Wednesday) |
School Gym |
School District Deliberative Session {Between 1/30 & 2/6 – RSA 40:13, III} |
Feb 04, 2010 – 7:00 PM
|
Town Office |
Town Budget Public Hearing Reassess deliberative session results |
All meetings are at the Town Offices Conference Room 1 and start at 7 pm.
| 
