Minutes
Selectmen’s Budget Workshop
November 7, 2006
10:00 AM Chair Bonser opened the meeting.
Members: Mary Bonser, Peter Bock, Bill Netishen, Town Administrator Charles Brown and Heidi Seaverns.
Mr. Brown then proceeded to review the draft budget with the Board:
1) Executive-PLAC line has been decreased to $ 3000 but the Board wishes to go back to the original figure of $5000, otherwise no changes.
2) Town Clerk-no changes from last meeting.
3) Election-still waiting for figures from Moderator for programming voting machine. There is only 1 election next year. The equipment line of $910, reflects the cost of a laptop computer for the Supervisors.
4) Financial Administration-no changes.
5) Property Appraisal-no changes
6) Legal- no changes.
7) Personnel Administration- numbers in the budget reflect a 14% increase in the Health Plan for full time employees. There is no change in the level of service. This figure also reflects a 7-month police officer with a family plan. After some discussion, this figure will be adjusted for a 5-month time frame. The new position can be advertised to hire no sooner than August 1st. Mr. Brown will make the adjustments to the insurance and salary lines to reflect this change.
8) Planning/Zoning-no changes.
9) THOB-Community Center Maintenance line should have $ 17,500 in it to cover general maintenance for the building. A lengthy discussion followed about an archive room and what should be done to the 1972 addition.
Motion: Netishen, second Bock to add $ 12,500 to line 4194.10-204 for an archive room and evaluation of the 1972 addition.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
10) Cemeteries- no change.
11) Insurance- workmen’s compensation estimate has been entered into the budget.
12) Regional Association-numbers from SRPC have been entered, based on a per capita rate.
13) Police- Mr. Brown will make the adjustment to the salary line to reflect the 5-month hire of the new officer rather than the original 7 months that is reflected in the current figure. Mr. Brown reminded the Board that part of the increase in the total police budget is due to the fact that there was not money for a cruiser in this year’s budget or the money for the software upgrade that the department is requesting.
14) Fire/Rescue-no information has been received in regard to the Chief’s duties. Mr. Brown had given the Board members copies of the Fire/Rescue Stipend allocation. He stated that the cost per point is down significantly this year as a result of increased number of calls and increased participation by the department volunteers. The department is not asking for an increase in the stipend in 2007, but it is something the Board may need to consider in 2008.
15) Building Inspector-no change
16) Emergency Management-a new budget
17) Highway- the $ 18,000 for the Priest Road upgrade needs to be removed from the budget.
18) Shim and Sealcoat-no change.
19) Solid Waste & Recycling-decrease in collection fees. This year we have had fewer hauls that have been heavier so the fees are less than projected. The more the residents recycle, the more the Town will save. Also, the compactor lease is done-the Town now owns the compactor.
20) Animal Control-the only change is an increase of $ 140 in the stipend.
21) General Assistance- only change is an increase of $ 125 in stipend. Legislation that goes into effect January 1, 2007 may put additional burden of assistance back on the Towns. We can only wait and see what, if anything, materializes.
22) Vendor payments-all requests received have been put into the budget. There are still some agencies that have not requested the 2006 appropriations as yet.
23) Recreation-The Board is not to going to support the full time position proposed by the Director. Mr. Brown will reduce the salary line to reflect 35 hours per week for the director. A discussion about the recreation revolving fund followed. Mr. Netishen asked for a copy of the statute that governs the fund.
24) Library- an estimate of 5% increase in the total budget. Library Trustees will be at the November 13, 2006 with the actual budget.
25) Conservation Commission-may be asking the Board to encumber money for the test kit they want to purchase. They are trying to obtain grant money for ½ the cost but it is unsure whether they will be successful this year.
11:28AM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to enter non-public session under RSA 91A: 3 II (a).
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
12:08 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to come out of non-public session.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
12:08 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to keep all discussions in this session other than the Administrator’s salary issue, non-public.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown had been excused from a portion of non-public session, upon his return, he was informed of the Selectmen’s action. The Board discussed adjusting Mr. Brown’s salary to a more appropriate level taking into account his level of responsibility, overall management performance, and service to the Town. After much discussion the Board voted to give Mr. Brown the 4% COLA for 2007, and an additional 5% base salary adjustment for his position. The Board asked Mr. Brown to make the appropriate changes to the budget.
Mr. Brown thanked the Board for their recognition of his performance and their action in this regard.
Having no further business before the Board,
12:09 PM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Approved as written
Heidi Seaverns 11/27/06
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