Nottingham Town Offices Conference Room #1
Draft Minutes – November 18, 2010 Public Meeting
Approved
Attendance(X = present, E = excused, A = appointed during meeting) |
|
Members at Large |
Additional Role |
X |
Chet Batchelder |
Vice Chair, Tax Map Committee |
X |
Donna Danis |
Cap Improvmt Com. (CIP) |
E |
John Decker |
School Building Advisory Committee |
X |
Michael Koester |
Chair BudCom; School Default Budget Com. |
X |
Susan Levenson |
Appointed Member at Large; School Default Budget Com.; CIP alternate member |
X |
Gail Mills |
Appointed Member at Large; Impact Fee Committee |
X |
Gene Reed |
Appointed Member at Large |
X |
Barbara Scannell |
Appointed Member at Large; Alternate School Building Com. |
X |
Doug Simmons |
Member at Large |
* Member appointed by committee to fill vacancy, term will be up at next election. |
|
Other Board Membership |
Board Representing |
X |
Phil English |
School Board Representative |
X |
Mary Bonser |
Selectmen Board Representative |
In attendance, guests: Michelle Carvalho-Elem.School Principal; Dawn Fernald-School Board; Kevin Smith-Elementary School Technology Director.
7:00 Call to order by Chair Michael Koester and introductions.
7:05 Review minutes from Nov. 4, 2010 meeting
Donna motion/Doug 2nd to accept minutes. The motion passed; 10 yea/0 nay/1 abstention.
Amendments/changes to minutes of BC Nov. 4, 2010:
“Mike proposed a “review of minutes””
“Mike should be “at least 50% will have impact fee”
change “level funded to mandated”
change “John motioned accepting default budget items as determined by the BC Default Budget Committee.”
Re Tax Maps - “the (Tax Map Committee has met with other groups including O'Donnell, who currently provides tax maps to Town.
Add to minutes: Discussion about maintenance costs for roads. A report is coming from the Town for which roads are designated “Emergency Roads” and “Private Roads” maintained by the Town.
Motion to accept as amended minutes. Danis-Mills.
Motion passed.
Mike-Motion to delay review of Oct 21 minutes to allow presenters to come forward.
Motion-Passed.
Update on “Impact Fee Ordinance” to be presented as warrant article to voters. Presenter is Ms Tracy Chavney of the Impact Fee Committee:
- Ordinance is “pretty much finished”
- Got estimate from building inspector of revenue that would have been collected in 2010 if ordinance was in place.
- There are 3 different methods to compute fee.
- Collected data may be inaccurate as it shows average square footage as 850 sf. For 17 homes.
- Proposed ordinance will go to voters in Mar 2011.
- Final method of computing impact fee will be determined by the Planning Board if passed by voters.
- Fees collected must be used for Capital Projects related to population growth caused by building. (i.e.: School, fire, and police for example.)
- Percent of department distribution is not yet decided.
- Money not used after 6 years will be returned to property owner of record at the time of return. (with interest)
- BC Chair Mike poised the thought/question that the expenditure would fall under the preview of the BC because it is a “Capitol Project”.
- No motions or action taken re: Impact Fee
School Board presentation by Ms. Carvalho, Ms.Fernald, Mr. Smith, Mr. English
1. Member Mr. English opened with statement that the budget under discussion was visited briefly by the School Board.
2. Member Mr. English offered to forward questions to School Board for their workshop scheduled for Nov. 22
3. Ms. Carvalho presented a package with “Key aspects and major increases” in the proposed budget.
A. $28,536 plus FICA, other withholding and benefits. (Total cost not provided.) Previously 60% funded by Federal Stimulus funds (ARRA). 20% by “district”.
B. Behavior Analysis and Therapist and Consultant. 60 hrs at $100.00 per hour. = $6,000
C. Reg Ed Paraprofessionals (2) plus FICA, other withholding and benefits. (Total cost not provided.)
D. $38,007 plus FICA, other withholding and benefits. (Total cost not provided.) for Math teacher to support grades 7 & 8
E. $8,531 Title 1 Math Tutor-Part time Plus Fica and other withholding.
A. Replacement of Computers $17,632.
B. Network upgrade/Infrastructure $25,674
3. Grounds and Facility Repairs:
A. Building Repairs $10,800
B. Lockers - $15,300 for 7th and 8th grade levels
C. $7,500 Architectural, & Engineering Fees & Consultation Fees. To continue School Building Committee efforts to communicate with public and engineering for site development, & cost analysis. Bond vote expected in March 2012. (Public awareness and participation in public meetings has been minimal.)
4. Building Facility and Space needs-
A. Under consideration by School Board:
a. $99,000 modular classroom. Or
b. hiring of full time additional teacher. Or
c. use Art Room or Library for more space. Or
d. reduce class size of lower grade (Grade 4 or 6) or
e. use cafeteria for three morning periods.
f. use art and library for classrooms. Or
B. retain current 7-8 grade multi-age configurations
Ms Carvalho stated that ARRA (stimulus) funds are no longer available and now wants to keep position created by those funds. Discussion about budget continued. Discussions about “Principal's Budget” significant line items.
Discussion of Coe-Brown school bus being added to budget was discussed. School Board position is that if the 45 pupils attending CB want a bus they should present their petitioned warrant article to the voters. The school board does not desire to have that in the budget.
9:20 BC Member Reed excused to leave.
Continuation of discussion with school representatives, Michele Carvalho, Principal and Dawn Fernald, Vice Chairperson of School Board
Discussion regarding high school transportation to Coe Brown and Dover High School. The school board is currently studying the numbers of buses that go to Dover and they have agreed that if the public submits a warrant article for a bus to Coe Brown Academy, they will support it. Chet Batchelder questioned why the Board does not simply introduce the warrant article. Dawn Fernald confirmed that the public must do so, they will not.
Continue with budget presentation, page 17 Food Service, the Principal will double-check this number, although the cost of food and milk has increased.
Further discussed AARA funds with principal, CBNA tuition and off-setting revenue from parental contribution.
Thanked the school representatives who departed at 9:35.
Board briefly discussed the follow up required from meeting with the SAU Business Manager; Phil English updated his list and will inquire as to open items.
Motion to accept the minutes of Sept 21 by Chet Batchelder, second Phil English
Change line 58 to 845 school budget default
8 in favor 1 abstain to accept minutes as amended
Round table:
Mary Bonser: is working on an analysis of the last 5 years of tax rate and stated that revenues have diminished each year. In ’06 there were 3 million and this year it was less than 2 million. She will share her data at the next meeting.
Susan asked about warrant articles, do they come to the budget committee? Group discussed and explained that if there is a financial impact, they will come before the committee
9:50 Motion to adjourn by Mary Bonser, second by Gail Mills, all in favor
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