NOTTINGHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Minutes of the February 4, Public Meeting
Approved by Committee Vote May 13, 2010
ATTENDANCE X = Present, E = Excused
ELECTED OFFICIALS |
ROLE |
TERM EXPIRES |
x |
Charlene Andersen, Chair |
Capital Improvement Program Rep |
2010 |
|
Vaca |
|
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 |
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Alternate |
2011 |
x |
Michael Koester, ViceChair |
HCPP Grant Advisory Committee Alternate |
2011 |
|
Vacant |
|
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 |
E |
Dawn Fernald |
School Board |
2011 |
AGENDA
7:00 Call to order, introductions, Review minutes from 1/14/2010 & 1/21/2010
7:15 Public Hearing of Town Budget
8:15 Budget Committee Recommendations of Town Budget
9:15 Other Business & Roundtable
7:05 pm Call to Order and Introductions.
Chair Andersen called meeting to order. Members introduced themselves.
7:07pm Review of Minutes 1/14/2010
John Decker made motion to accept minutes, Scott Curry second.
Members gave secretary corrections to make to minutes. Mr. Decker motion to accept as amended, Mr. Curry second. Motion passed with Michael Koester abstaining.
7:20 pm Review of Minutes 1/21/2010
Mr. Decker made the motion to accept minutes, Mr. Curry second. Corrections noted. Mr. Decker motioned to approve as amended, Mr. Curry second. Motion passed with Donna Danis abstaining.
7:25 pm Public Hearing of Town Budget
Mary Bonser Board of Selectmen and Charlie Brown Town Administrator were present. Mr. Brown made a statement about the School Deliberative Session held the previous night. Ms. Bonser read a statement thanking Town employees for their service, loyalty, and commitment to the Town. Chair explained to the public in attendance how the meeting would progress. She welcomed the audience participation at any time during the public portion of the meeting. Ms. Andersen read from the Town Budget, highlighting significant increases or decreases in the budget. Mr. Brown pointed out page 5 of the MS 7 report for the Budget Total. Copies of the documents were available for the audience as well as the members.
Warrant Article 12 raise and appropriate $4,000.00 (four thousand dollars) for courtesy inspections of boats entering and leaving Pawtuckaway Lake at the Fundy and Pawtuckaway State Park Boat ramps. (Paraphrased)
Steve Soreff from the Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association asked to say a few words in support of the article. He offered that the Lake Host program and the Weed Watcher program are vital in keeping exotic weeds from taking over the Lake. Last summer the volunteers and paid staff had four saves, meaning staff and volunteers removed the plants from boats before entering the water. Ms. Danis pointed out that Federal funds had been available in the past through Grant funding. Now those grants are no longer available. Chet Batchelder asked where the funds the town gives goes. Ms. Danis explained it goes to the NH Lakes Association and then gets paid out to the Pawtuckaway Lake, Lake Host program.
Warrant Article 13 appropriate 50% of the revenues with an annual cap of $100 thousand dollars deposited in the Town’s Conservation fund.
Mr. Batchelder asked to clarify amounts and changes. There was discussion about the article.
Warrant Article 14 to see if the Town can enter into an inter-municipal agreement regarding recyclable solid waste.
The discussion focused on the ability of the Board of Selectman to consider “single stream” recycling. Another town is in the process of building a single stream facility. This is the first for New Hampshire. There are other facilities in the country. It may require a financial commitment before completed.
Warrant Article 15 asks Do you want to modify article 10 and 11 of the March 18, 2006 Town Meeting regarding Property Tax exemptions for the Blind, Disabled, and Elderly.
The Chair asked if the voters could override the Property Tax exemption. Ms. Bonser addressed the legality of the article. The members discussed the issues as it pertains to the Budget Committee.
Warrant Articles 8-10 various appropriations for Capital Reserve, $5,000.00 (fifty thousand dollars) for the Highway Department, $10,000.00 (ten thousand dollars) for the fuel supplies, equipment and maintenance to run the ambulance for 2010 and to authorize $10,000.00 (ten thousand dollars) withdrawal from the Special Revenue Fund created for this purpose. In addition, raise and appropriate the sum of $50 thousand to add to Capital Reserve Fund for purchasing Fire/Rescue vehicles.
Ms. Danis wanted to know what the balance was in the Capital Reserve. Ms. Bonser offered that in the past the Town had set aside $5,000.00 (five thousand dollars). The higher amount would help with increase costs. Mr. Koester questioned if the added $50, 000.00 (fifty thousand dollars) per year would matches with the expenditures over the next 10 years. The balance available now for Fire is $5,848 (rounded) and $114,793.00 (rounded) for Highway.
8:05 pm chair Andersen closed Public portion of Meeting
Members of the Budget Committee will discuss the warrant articles first.
Article #7… vote to raise and appropriate $192,690.00 (one hundred ninety-two thousand, six hundred ninety dollars) for highway construction and reconstruction of Kennard Road or other roads in Nottingham should an emergency arises. Reference RSA 32:7, VI.
Mr. Koester made motion to recommend. Gary Anderson second. Chair noted no further discussion and called for vote.
Motion passed unanimously 8-0. Recommend.
Articles #8… vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 (fifty thousand dollars) added to the Capital Reserve Fund.
Mr. Anderson moved to recommend, Mr. Batchelder second.
Mr. Curry pointed out the decrease in past years. He offered an amendment to reduce the amount from $50 thousand to $5 thousand, Mr. Decker second. The committee cannot change the amount was raised by a member of the audience. Further discussion on recommending an amount continued until Mr. Curry withdrew his amendment motion. Chair called the vote. Ms. Andersen, Mr. Koester, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Simmons, Ms. Danis, Mr. Anderson in favor of Article 8. Mr. Curry and Mr. Decker were against the article. Motion passed 6-2. Recommend.
Article #9…vote to raise and appropriate $10,000.00 (ten thousand dollars) for the purpose of purchasing the necessary, fuel, supplies, etc. to run the ambulance for 2010 and to authorize the withdrawal of $10 thousand dollars from the special reserve fund for this purpose.
Mr. Decker made the motion to recommend. Ms. Danis second.
Chair called the vote.
Motion passed. Unanimously, 8-0 (zero). Recommend.
Article #10…vote and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00(fifty thousand dollars) be added to the Capital Reserve Fund for purchasing Fire and Rescue equipment.
Mr. Anderson made the motion to recommend. Mr. Simmons second.
Chair asked for discussion.
Chair called the vote. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Koester, Ms. Andersen, and Ms. Danis voted in favor. Mr. Curry and Mr. Decker opposed the recommendation.
Motion passed 6-2. Recommend.
Article #11…vote to raise and appropriate $23,565.00 (twenty-three thousand, five hundred and sixty five dollars) in support of Social Service agencies, sixteen (16) Agencies to receive various amounts from $5,185.00 (five thousand, one hundred eighty-five dollars) high to $100.00 (one hundred dollars) low.
Mr. Decker made the motion to recommend. Mr. Curry second. Chair asked for discussion.
Chair called the vote. Motion passed. Unanimously, 8-0 (zero) Recommend.
Article #12…vote to appropriate $ 4,000.00 (four thousand dollars) for the purpose of conducting courtesy inspections of boats entering and leaving Pawtuckaway Lake at the State Park and the Fundy boat ramps for the removal invasive aquatic species, education, and payment to the NH Lakes Association for the benefit of the lake host program.
Mr. Decker motioned to approve. Mr. Curry second.
Mr. Curry remembered the lake he visited as a child being clear and now years later the lake is full of the invasive plants. Ms. Danis pointed out the program works, restating the four saves made in the previous summer season.
Chair called the vote.
Motion passed Unanimously. 8-0. Recommend
Article #13…vote to appropriate 50% (fifty percent) of the revenues with an annual cap of $100,000.00 (one hundred thousand dollars) collected to be deposited in the Town’s Conservation Fund. If passed the article will take effect April 1, 2010 and remain in effect until future vote of the town.
Mr. Anderson made motion to recommend. Ms. Danis second.
Ms. Andersen stated any extra dollars be returned to the taxpayers. Members discussed the article. Chair called the vote.
Mr. Anderson, Ms. Danis, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Curry, and Mr. Decker voted in favor of recommending. Mr. Koester and Ms. Andersen voted against the motion.
Motion passed 6-2. Recommend
Article #14… to authorize the Selectman to enter into an inter-municipal agreement for the purpose of arranging the disposal of the Town’s recyclable solid waste.
Mr. Decker made the motion to recommend. Mr. Anderson second.
Mr. Curry thought the committee could make a recommendation. Heidi Seaverns in the audience advised that zoning and planning issues are exceptions. DRA and town Attorney determined that the Budget committee could vote on issue. BOS Peter Bock in the audience wanted to communicate to the Town the intentions to enter into an agreement. Ms. Danis wanted to know which statue pertained to the committee regarding do and do not vote. Ms. Bonser found the RSA statue and read it. The decision to make recommendations depended on cost impacts. Chair made a motion to for the committee to not vote on Article 15 and 16. Mr. Koester second. Mr. Curry pointed out that Article 15 did deal with financial costs. Ms. Andersen withdrew the motion.
Chair called for vote.
Mr. Decker, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Simmons in favor. Mr. Curry, Mr. Batchelder, Ms. Danis against. Ms. Andersen and Mr. Koester Abstained. Motion tied 3-3-2 abstaining.
Article #16 …if the town will vote to approve the following resolution…the citizens of New Hampshire should be allowed to vote on an amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution defining marriage.
Ms. Danis motioned to make no recommendation. Mr. Koester second.
Board discussed financial rationale for vote. Chair asked if anyone wanted to recuse from voting.
Reread RSA regarding tally of vote.
Chair called vote.
Mr. Koester, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Simmons, Ms. Danis, Mr. Decker, Mr. Curry in favor of not recommending. Mr. Anderson favored recommending. Ms. Andersen abstained. The motion not to recommend passed. 6-1-1. No Recommendation.
Article #15… do you want t modify article 10 and 11 of the March 18, 2006 Town meeting regarding tax exemptions for the blind, disabled, and elderly.
Mr. Batchelder motioned to make no recommendation. Mr. Curry second. Committee discussed earlier about the legality of the article issue.
Chair called for vote.
Unanimous not to recommend 8-0, motion carried.
Chair confirmed she reads each sections budget totals and members could raise questions.
Board of Selectman 4130.10-037
Mr. Curry asked Mr. Brown for clarification. Mr. Brown responded that the figure represents equipment plus a workstation. Mr. Curry made a motion to reduce the amount from $7,000.00 (seven thousand dollars) to $6,000.00 (six thousand dollars). Ms. Danis second. The group discussed the motion. Chair called the vote.
No one voted in favor of decreasing the amount.
Ms. Andersen, Mr. Koester, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Decker and Ms. Danis voted against the motion. Mr. Curry abstained. The motion failed 7-0-1 abstaining. Recommend
General Government Buildings 4194.10-203 HS/Grange Bldg Maintenance
Ms. Andersen moved to reduce from $4,000.00 (four thousand dollars) to $0.00 (zero dollars) Mr. Koester second.
Discussion included moving money from another fund. Chair called for the vote.
Ms. Andersen and Mr. Koester voted in favor. Mr. Curry, Mr. Decker, Ms. Danis, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Simmons, and Mr. Anderson voted against the motion. Motion failed 2-6. Recommend
General Government Buildings 4194.40-205 TH Bldg Maintenance
Ms. Andersen motioned to reduce amount from $6,000.00 (six thousand dollars) by $4,500.00 (four thousand, five hundred dollars) to $ 1,500.00 (one thousand, five hundred dollars). Ms. Danis second. Ms. Andersen questioned if the amount is what Millstone had submitted. Mr. Brown gave the report to Ms. Andersen to review. The building’s use for future programming discussed.
Chair called for the vote.
Ms. Andersen, Ms. Danis, Mr. Curry, Mr. Koester, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Decker, voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Simmons voted against the motion. Motion passed 6 -2.
Animal Control 4414.10-036 AC Costs
Mr. Curry commented he would like to see more costs broken out in future.
Parks and Recreation 4520.10-28 Rec Equip/Supplies/Maintenance
Ms. Danis motioned to have the line decrease by $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars). Mr. Decker second. Ms. Danis explained the department could use the revolving funds balance to make up the difference.
Chair called for the vote.
Ms. Danis and Ms. Andersen voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Curry, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Koester, voted against the motion. Mr. Decker abstained.
With no further discussions on the budget proposals Mr. Koester motioned to accept Article 6 as amended. Mr. Decker second.
Mr. Curry thanked the BOS and the departments for their efforts in keeping the budget down. He also expressed thanks for the hard work of the town’s employees.
Chair called for the vote.
Motion passed as amended Unanimously, 8-0. Recommend budget as amended.
9:50 pm Other Business and Roundtable
Deliberative session of the Nottingham School District briefly discussed. Compared changes to recommendations by the School Board, the Budget Committee and the public.
Mr. Curry motioned to approve committee’s letter for upcoming edition of the Town’s Newsletter. Mr. Koester second. Members discussed editorial changes and submission deadline.
Chair called for vote.
Mr. Curry, Ms. Danis, Mr. Decker, Mr. Koester, Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Anderson, and Mr. Simmons voted in favor. Ms. Andersen abstained. Motion passed 7-0.
Final Meeting of present Board acknowledged. Mr. Koester thanked everyone for the hard work and dedication this past year.
Members discussed scheduling meeting after election. Meeting will be set for May TBA.
Mr. Simmons expressed gratitude for the learning experience.
Mr. Anderson expressed pleasure in working with everyone on the committee.
Mr. Batchelder thought it was a good year. Mr. Koester “dittoed” Mr. Batchelder.
Mr. Curry expressed concern, as this would be his last meeting that the Impact Fee committee had received an invoice for services that to his knowledge were without agreement of the Impact Fee committee members. In addition, if money spent it was without discussion. He thanked the budget committee members for their patience and respect of his questions. He felt it is important to bring the questions of Town people forward.
Ms. Danis thanked the Chair and learned a lot from both the members and the level of debate the committee conducted.
Mr. Decker also thanked everyone.
Ms. Andersen thanked everyone for their services and looked forward to serving the Town in other capacities.
Mr. Decker motioned to adjourn. Ms. Danis second.
Meeting adjourned 10:15 pm.
Election Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Town Meeting, Saturday, March 6, 2010.
Respectfully submitted
Jill Sunde
02/17/2010
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