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Board of Selectmen Minutes 10/24/2008
Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Workshop Minutes
October 24, 2008

8:25 AM  Chair Netishen opened the workshop and asked those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Members Present:  Bill Netishen, Mary Bonser, and Peter Bock
Others Present:  Charles Brown, Town Administrator and Traci Chauvey, Recording Secretary

BUDGET

The Selectmen received copies of the Budget Worksheet – Expenditure report, 2008 Appropriations and Special Appropriations reports, and available Department Explanations.  Mr. Brown made the following report:

  • He believes all department heads have done a good job of level funding, as requested.
  • The requested budget includes a 3% increase on salaries with the exception of certain police personnel.
  • He has not received budget requests from either the Moderator or the Supervisors of the Checklist.
  • He has not received any numbers from the insurance carriers, yet.  
  • There has been no specific feedback from Planning or Zoning.  
  • Government Building still needs to be looked at and he is in the process of applying for a grant for structural evaluation of the Grange Hall.
  • There will be a decrease in the Worker’s Compensation line.
  • Chief Foss is requesting some merit increases and has left the COLA increases blank.  Where there were blanks, Mr. Brown included a 3% increase.  To summarize, the request for the police department is a 3% increase for the Chief, three Patrol Officers, and the Sergeant (who was recently increased to $45,000 with his promotion), an increase for the promotion of a Patrol Officer to Investigator with a salary of $44,000 per year equaling a 9.52% increase based on the promotion and merit with no COLA, and a merit increase equaling 5.91% for the Administrative Assistant with no COLA.  These increase requests are merit based and will not come out of the $7,500 Performance Award line.
  • He has some questions on the Nottingham Fire and Rescue budget but has not had a chance to meet with Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock.
  • At Ms. Bonser’s inquiry, Mr. Brown reported that $15,000 had been placed on the CIP for a vehicle for the Building Inspector and would be moved forward this year, as scheduled.
  • At Mr. Bock’s inquiry, Mr. Brown reported that there is not enough data at this point to do a hard comparison between last year and this year.
  • Highway Construction – Reconstruction is down due to the proposed length of road being less than prior years.
  • The solid waste budget is being looked at very closely this year.  
Discussion:  Ms. Bonser inquired about single stream recycling.  Mr. Brown informed Ms. Bonser that this is not offered, and if they were, would, most likely, decrease revenue.  There was discussion on the new $5,000 fine assessed for incorrect disposal of fluorescent bulbs.  Chair Netishen requested that signs be posted at the Recycling Center and a notice on Channel 22 informing the public.  Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that the Solid Waste budget is subject to change.

  • The Animal Control Officer’s costs are down but the mileage has increased.
  • The Health Officer’s proposed budget will remain the same as last year.
  • The General Assistance budget will remain the same, noting that Nottingham is in great shape compared to some other surrounding towns.  Donations have helped tremendously.
  • Requests for Vendor Payments are still coming in.  Some vendors have still not requested their payments for last year.  Town staff will no longer reach out to remind the vendors to either submit request for assistance or requests for payments.
Discussion:  Chair Netishen suggested that the Selectmen consider a policy on deadlines for both application and payment submissions.  All Selectmen agreed this should be considered.

  • The Parks and Recreation figures shown in the Next Year Requested column are as submitted by Ms. Horvath, Recreation Director.
  • He has not received the budget request from the Library, as yet.  Ms. Legard had indicated that he should receive it within a couple weeks.  Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that the Librarian, Ms. Capron, had fallen and gotten hurt during Story Hour last week and has not been given the ok from her doctor to return to work.  
Discussion:  The Selectmen asked that flowers be sent to Ms. Capron on behalf of the town.

  • Nottingham Conservation Commission’s budget is what it is, noting that it is down from last year.
The Selectmen requested that the Economic Development section be removed from the budget reports.

Chair Netishen summarized Mr. Brown’s report.  Mr. Brown feels that salaries are the biggest issue, noting that the Social Security Administration’s numbers had come out early.  Mr. Bock inquired about indications from insurance carriers.  Mr. Brown reported that there will be a .8% decrease from LGC, noting that coverage may change.  If they go with Primex, they will have to change plans, there would be a 5.5% increase over the current cost, the plan would be for 18 months, and they would have to change to a July renewal.  Mr. Bock noted three factors in considering a COLA.  He listed these as 1) the value in the decrease of medical insurance, 2) the Worker’s Compensation decrease, and 3) the difference between cumulative salaries this year and proposed salaries for next.  Chair Netishen also wants to know the amount for merit increases.  Mr. Bock expects to see a decrease in the Police Department salaries due to the promotions and time spent on specific work tasks by the promoted officers.  Mr. Brown noted that the Police Departments proposed overtime line is down 15% from last year.  Chair Netishen noted that focus needs to be on health benefits and salaries.  Chair Netishen voiced grave concerns for 2009 and 2010.  Mr. Brown recommended staying with LGC for health insurance coverage and asked the Selectmen to decide if they wanted to stay with the employee contribution as established last year.  Ms. Bonser noted that last year, the cost was less than the COLA increase.  Chair Netishen informed all that ’07 revenue was $3,120,000 and ’08 revenue is $1,636,000 (+$114,000).  He feels at a loss to recommend a 3% COLA, noting that there are costs that they have no control over.  

There was discussion on Warrant Articles.  Ms. Bonser stated that the fire truck is $360K and they are looking at a 5-7 year commitment.  There could possibly be a $15,000 trade-in value.  The current truck is 20 years old.  Chair Netishen noted that they had put $7K-8K into it this past year.  Mr. Bock asked Mr. Brown to check on capital for the fire truck.  Mr. Bock informed all that the Budget Committee is putting forth a Warrant Article based on RSA 32:5, V-a to have every appropriation identified with the actual tally from the vote of the Budget Committee.  Mr. Brown reported that there are five (5) Warrant Articles from the Highway Department this year.  He needs to know what the Selectmen will/will not support.  They discussed the $15,000 for the Building Inspector’s vehicle.  Mr. Brown indicated that if/when this vehicle purchase is supported, it should not be for the sole use of the Building Inspector, and that the Selectmen should consider a small SUV for this purchase.  Ms. Bonser will speak with the Building Inspector.

Mr. Brown raised the issue of the Back Creek Bridge and a FEMA mitigation grant, noting that there is $56K in the Highway budget for a 25% match.  He asked if the Selectmen want to put this forth in the budget or as a Warrant, noting that he has been contacting FEMA because he needs to get the Engineering firm to start on this soon.

The Selectmen were all in agreement to stay with LGC for health insurance but to look at employee contribution further.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Mr. Bock informed all that the HCPP Committee was scheduled to meet on November 10th creating a conflict for him with the scheduled Board of Selectmen’s meeting.  He intends to excuse himself from the HCPP Committee meeting that night as they would be selecting a recommendation for the contracted services under the HCPP grant and he feels it would be a conflict of interest with his duties as a Selectman when it comes time to award the contract.  The Selectmen agreed to meet on November 17th, to make a determination of the contract award.

Ms. Bonser informed all that she would be attending the ASB meeting on the October 28 and the Selectmen’s budget workshop on the 31st, which was in conflict with a Building Committee meeting also scheduled for 8:15 AM on the 31st.

The Selectmen discussed coverage for Election Day and agreed on the following schedule:

        Mr. Bock        8:00 AM – Noon
        Chair Netishen  Noon – 4:00 PM
        Ms. Bonser      4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The Selectmen tentatively set another budget workshop for November 7 at 8:15 AM.
        
Ms. Chauvey informed the Selectmen that a Cablecasting Calendar had been created and placed on the homepage of the web site.  They were provided a copy of the Cablecasting and Key Agreement for review.
Motion:  Netishen, second Bock to adopt the Agreement as part of the approved policy.
Vote:  All in favor.  Motion passed 3-0.

Mr. Brown reported that the NCC had approved up to $10K for a conservation easement for approximately 22 acres on Freeman Hall Road (Kimball property).

A complaint about the Animal Control Officer (ACO) has been received in relation to the on-going dog issue on Gebig Road.  Mr. Witham, ACO, will be asked to meet with the Selectmen.

A request to reduce the speed limit on Neilson Road has been received by the Town Office.  The item has been placed on the October 27 agenda.  Mr. Bock will step down as a Selectman since he lives on Neilson Road and wishes to speak.

Mr. Brown informed the Selectmen that Joe Clement has passed away.  The Town will send a card.

The Selectmen reviewed their upcoming schedule of workshops and meetings.

        October 31      Budget Workshop @ 8:15 AM, tentative
        November 7      Budget Workshop @ 8:15 AM, tentative
        November 20     Budget Workshop w/Department Heads @ 8:15, tentative
        November 24     Scheduled Meeting, Public Hearing on Cable Franchise
        November 25     Budget Workshop w/Department Heads, if needed, @ 8:15, tentative

The Selectmen agreed that if they do not meet with Department Heads in a budget workshop on November 25, they will meet to discuss Mr. Brown’s appraisal.  Chair Netishen asked each to write some verbage to review at the workshop.  He would like Mr. Brown’s review completed by December 15 this year.

Chair Netishen asked for a list of everyone having a key to the front door of the Municipal Office Building.

Chair Netishen inquired about a policy on climate control and asked Mr. Brown to do a study at the Fire Station by setting the bay thermostat at 62