Minutes
Selectmen’s Budget Workshop
October 25, 2007
8:00 AM Chair Bock opened the meeting.
Members: Peter Bock, Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, and Town Administrator Charles Brown. Others: Marge Carlson and Heidi Seaverns.
Ms. Carlson made a brief 9-1-1-map presentation to the Board. The State of NH has taken over the 9-1-1 system. The New Hampshire Bureau of Emergency Communications (NHBEC) Mapping Department has collected locations (GIS) of all residences in Town and produced the enhanced
9-1-1 map set and associated data for the Town at no charge. Ms. Carlson informed the Board that Mike Kennard had made the initial inquiry to the Bureau and that Nottingham is one of the first Towns in the area to take advantage of the service. Once the agreements are accepted and signed by the Board, the Town will be able to request sets of the maps for Fire/Rescue, Police and any other emergency organization.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to accept the map set and associated data from NHBEC and to sign the associated documents: Data Capture Acceptance Letter, Data Release Agreement and Acknowledgement of Nonstandard Addressing.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
The Board thanked Ms. Carlson for her efforts and she left the meeting.
The Board next began to discuss salaries and medical benefits for employees. Mr. Brown provided the Board with two quotes for health insurance for the upcoming year. Local Government Center, our current provider, has an increase of 10.7% across the board. Primex³ provided a quote for the time period up to June 30, 2008 with a guaranteed rate and also an estimated rate (not to exceed % increase) for the second half of the year. Primex³ deals with a fiscal year for funding rather than a calendar year. At this time, the Board is leaning toward staying with the current provider, Local Government Center. Discussion followed about implementing an employee contribution to health insurance benefit. The preliminary recommendation is to fund a single plan for all employees and for employees getting the 2 person or
the family plan would contribute 5% of the difference between their respective plan cost and a single plan cost. Mr. Brown will work up numbers using these guidelines. The Board does not want the salary increase to be negated by the health insurance contribution. Mr. Brown informed the Board that he is expecting one additional health insurance quote. A general salary discussion followed about COLA vs. merit increases. In past years, the Board has awarded a straight COLA increase across the board. It is the general consensus of the Board that the total COLA increase should not exceed 2.3% overall.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept the Road Agent’s recommendation for employee performance awards for 4 part time employees.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Mr. Brown is working on the hazard mitigation grant application for Back Brook project on Deerfield Road. This application must be filed with FEMA by October 31, 2007. If accepted, FEMA may pay 75% of the total cost of the project. Mr. Brown has also received a proposal from Hoyle Tanner for engineering services for the Mill Pond Bridge project.
Motion: Netishen, second Bonser to authorize Mr. Brown to sign the proposal for engineering services from Hoyle Tanner for the Mill Pond Bridge project. This will allow Hoyle Tanner to proceed.
Vote: 3-0 in favor.
Ms. Bonser had a previous commitment, so she left the meeting at 9:47 AM.
Mr. Brown then proceeded to point out any known increases/ changes for the following draft budgets with the remaining members of the Board:
1) Executive-copy machine lease will expire in June and cost for a new machine/lease will definitely increase.
2) Town Clerk-initial budget provided but still needs work.
3) Election-no budgets yet.
4) Financial Administration-Auditor requested a $140 increase.
5) Property appraisal-nothing yet
6) Legal- increased legal line by $ 10,000.
7) Planning/Zoning-no budgets received as yet.
8) Personnel Administration-no increase in life insurance and long term disability rates and a 2.1% increase in short term disability rates. These are salary based.
9) THOB-decrease in the mowing line, the Grange Hall needs to be painted. There was a brief discussion about putting money in the budget for an archive room and what to do with the old Fire Station building.
10) Cemeteries- has not received a request as yet.
11) Police- preliminary budget provided, more detail is needed for all lines.
12) Fire/Rescue-requested an increase to the stipend by $ 5000, and requested a $ 1000 increase to both the Chief & Deputy Chief stipend lines. Decreased the training line by
$ 2000.
13) Building Inspector/Emergency Management- quick review, requested some additional
information.
14) Recreation-gave Board members copies of budget submitted.
Mr. Brown then gave the Board an update on the Fire Station. Daniels Electric has completed the remaining electrical work. All lien waivers must be received before final payment is made to Ricci Construction.
Having no further business,
10:40 AM Motion: Netishen, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: 2-0 in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Heidi Seaverns
Approved as written
12/10/07
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