Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Workshop Minutes
November 17, 2008
8:20 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
HCPP GRANT CONSULTANT
Two proposals had been received in response to the three RFP’s sent out for Planning Consultant Services under the Housing and Conservation Planning Program Grant. One was from Strafford Regional Planning Commission; the other from Mettee Planning Consultants. The HCPP Committee unanimously recommended Mettee Planning Consultants. At Chair Netishen’s inquiry, Mr. Bock and Ms. Bonser indicated that they were ready to move on the recommendation.
Motion: Bock, second Bonser to accept the recommendation of the HCPP Grant Advisory Committee and offer the consulting contract to Mettee Planning Consultants.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
BUDGET
Mr. Bock informed all that the Budget Committee has been discussing RSA 32:5, V.-a. Mr. Brown explained that legislation passed last year to allow the numerical tally of all votes on budgetary warrant articles be printed with the article on the warrant. The Budget Committee plans to put this up for vote in March. They are checking to see if separate submittals/votes need to be taken for the Town and the School and want to know if the Selectmen support this position. Mr. Bock noted that the negative side of this legislation is the length of time if attendees want to hear from opposing sides whenever the votes are not unanimous.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to accept the recommendation of the Budget Committee in regards to RSA 32:5, V.-a.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
There was discussion of meeting dates with department heads. It was decided that Recreation, Highway, and Building would be invited to attend the workshop on November 20th and Fire/Rescue and Police would be invited to attend on November 25th. The departments will be going to the Budget Committee on December 4th.
Mr. Brown reported that he had new figures for the health insurance and COLA, adding that the 3.5% contribution and 1.5% COLA is a better situation for most employees. There are 7 employees on the single plan, 4 employees on the 2-person plan, and 6 employees on the family plan. The 3.5% contribution is $18.085/mo. ($217.02/yr), $36.17/mo. ($434.04/yr.), and $48.829/mo. ($585.95/yr.), respectively. With the 1.5% COLA, there will still be two employees who will end up earning less annually, $55 in one case, $71 in the other. These changes, along with the new prescription plan, create a $14,340 reduction from last year’s budget. The Selectmen asked Mr. Brown to clarify with department heads that the changes are a reflection of difficult times, not employee value. Mr. Brown voiced
frustration that the Town budget takes a hit, year after year, and the school budget keeps increasing. He
feels that 1.5% is nothing and he does not want it to go any lower. Chair Netishen asked Mr. Brown to calculate the 1.5% COLA on full time employee participation in the health insurance.
Police Department:
There was discussion around the proposed police department salaries. The Investigator gets a 9.52% increase effective December 1, 2008. The Chief is proposing a 5.91% increase for the Admin. Assistant. Chair Netishen has an issue with the 9.52% increase for the Investigator. Mr. Bock feels that this will balance out with the reduction in overtime that has been used by this employee in the past. Chair Netishen does not remember previously approving this increase. Ms. Bonser believes that the Chief is unwilling to negotiate on the value of his officers.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to set the Investigator’s salary at $44,000 for the 2009 budget year.
Vote: Ms. Bonser and Mr. Bock voted in favor. Chair Netishen voted opposed. Motion passed 2-1.
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to support the 5.91% merit increase for the Police Department’s Administrative Assistant for a salary of $39,500, as proposed by the Chief.
Vote: Ms. Bonser and Mr. Bock voted in favor. Chair Netishen voted opposed. Motion passed 2-1.
Chair Netishen recommended decreasing the Publication line to $800, the Testing line to $500, the Office Supply line to $2000, and the Gas line to $13,200. Mr. Bock and Ms. Bonser agreed with reducing the Gas line to $13,200 but indicated they were uncomfortable with the other changes. Mr. Bock feels they need to emphasize the 80 miles per shift that Chief Foss put in place this year. Ms. Bonser recommended putting off the purchase of a new cruiser for one year. Chair Netishen was in agreement, adding that the maintenance lines for both the Police and Fire/Rescue departments would need to be increased. Ms. Bonser inquired about emergency personnel using their own vehicles. Mr. Brown was not in agreement, noting that there needs to be an emergency vehicle on calls. The Selectmen
agreed that they would eliminate the cruiser cost of $23,430 and add $1,700 to both the cruiser maintenance line and the fire vehicle maintenance line.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Recording Secretary
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