BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING/PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
October 16, 2012
Call to Order: 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Martha Sumner, Chair
Kristin Lewis-Savage, Vice-Chair
Tricia Holt
Neal Morin
Daniel Bush
Ben Sadewicz
Gayle Hamel
Anthony Riccio
David Gerns
John Sherman, Selectmen Ex-Officio
Excused: Barry Weymouth
Darrell Britton
Also Present: Sean Fitzgerald, Town Manager
Janet Gallant, Finance Director
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Robert Harb, Plaistow Town Moderator.
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 2, 2012
K. Lewis-Savage moved, second by B. Sadewicz to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2012meeting as written. There was no discussion on the motion and the vote was 10-0-0 U/A.
BUDGET PRESENTATIONS
J. Gallant noted that the committee’s department budget handouts now included actuals for 2010, 2011 as well as the year-to-date information for 2012. She added that the “Budget Committee” approved amount was not showing because there wasn’t enough room with the actuals. J. Gallant noted that information would show on the final spreadsheet.
Human Resources/Services/Assessing – Presented by Lori Sadewicz, Assessing Clerk, Human Resources Director
L. Sadewicz presented the Human Resources/Services/Assessing proposed line items for the 2013 budget:
Level Funded Budget Line Items:
- Salary Permanent Positions $ 48,089.00
- Training $ 400.00
- Assessor’s Contract $108,800.00
It was noted that the current contract (with Corcoran Associates) was about to expire and RFPs had gone out requesting bids. The proposals are due by November 8, 2012, so this number may need to be adjusted based upon the submission.
- Mapping $ 6,000.00
- Data Processing $ 6,750.00
Data Processing could be changed once invoice is received and could include software/systems upgrades.
- Dues $ 35.00
- Postage $ 1,950.00
Increased Budget Line Items:
- Supplies (+$700.00) $ 1,000.00
- The increase is to replace a public printer
- Books & Periodical (+$25.00) $ 525.00
- Increase is due to increase in price of Marshal and Swift Valuation book
Decreased Budget Line Items
- Mileage Reimbursement (-$44.00) $ 400.00
J. Gallant noted that the 2013 budget for Government Buildings was decreased by $681.00.
K. Lewis-Savage noted that increase was the purchase of a public printer.
There was a discussion about where the Town was in the valuation cycle process.
S. Fitzgerald noted that the State requires a “values anew,” in depth empirical valuation of all properties every five (5) years and that is used as the basis for establishing the tax rate.
N. Morin asked where the Town was in the five-year cycle.
L. Sadewicz replied there had been a full reval last year.
J. Sherman noted that was most likely the reason the line was overspent.
D. Gerns asked if the department was confident in their postage number with anticipated increases.
L. Sadewicz replied that they were because they the type of envelope they need with the forever stamp.
It was noted that a $0.01 increase in the first class rate was anticipated and that there would be like increases in other postal services.
K. Lewis-Savage moved, second by D. Gerns to take the Human Resources/Services Assessing budget, in the amount of $173,949.00 under consideration. There was no discussion on the amended motion and the vote was 10-0-0 U/A.
It was noted in the handout that this amount has been approved by the Board of Selectmen (BOS).
Elections – Presented by Robert Harb, Plaistow Town Moderator
R. Harb presented the Elections proposed line items for the 2013 budget:
Level Funded Budget Line Items:
- Elections Recount $ 500.00
- Software Support $ 1,500.00
- Ballot Printing & Checklist $ 6,500.00
- Postage $ 100.00
- Equipment/Voting Booths $ 100.00
- Training/Moderator $ 100.00
- Mileage Reimbursement $ 56.00
Increased Budget Line Items:
- Repairs & Supplies (+$300.00) $ 500.00
- The increase is for refurbishing of outside elections sign
Decreased Budget Line Items
- Salary/Administration (-$3,320.00) $ 630.00
- Election Moderator Salary (-$1,200.00) $ 800.00
- Supervisors of the checklist (-$2,354.00) $ 1,276.00
- Polling Booths Set Ups (-$750.00) $ 250.00
- Meals (-$400.00) $ 300.00
- All decreases due to the fact that there will be a single deliberative session and a single election in 2013
There was a brief discussion on the newly passed voter ID law.
R. Harb noted that not having one of the approved forms of identification did not prevent someone from voting. He explained that anyone without identification could vote by signing a voter challenge form. R. Harb also noted changes that were planned for the entrance to the polls that would allow more people to be sheltered within the building if they are waiting in line and would allow for more privacy at the check in tables so that the clerks will be able to hear easier. He noted that the polls would be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
It was noted that the Town Clerk can give a resident a voucher to obtain picture identification from the DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) at no charge. It was further noted that only certain officials of the Town, specifically the Board of Selectmen (BOS) who can approve a voter challenge form. Other town officials who can approve challenge forms as well will be later identified in keeping with the RSA.
R. Harb offered that the Town will be able to know how many voter challenge forms are filed for this election. He added that most people had their IDs out and ready so he didn’t anticipate any problems.
G. Hamel moved, second by T. Holt to take the Elections budget, in the amount of $12,612.00 under consideration. There was no discussion on the amended motion and the vote was 10-0-0 U/A.
It was noted in the handout that this amount has been approved by the Board of Selectmen (BOS).
Cable – Presented by Dean Zanello, Cable Coordinator
D. Zanello presented the Cable proposed line items for the 2013 budget:
Level Funded Budget Line Items:
- Permanent Position $ 18,000.00
- Cable Operators $ 3,633.00
- It was noted that there may be a change in the operators rate of pay which could affect this line item
- Telephone (place holder) $ 1.00
- General Supplies $ 500.00
- New Equipment $ 4,000.00
- Mileage $ 278.00
Increased Budget Line Items:
- Consultants/Contracted Services (+$1,400.00) $ 5,000.00
- The increase is requested for wiring and integration projects
- Training (+$249.00) $ 250.00
- The increase is to allow for more training for cable personnel
- Dues & Subscriptions (+$200.00) $ 550.00
- The increase covers various dues and subscriptions
Decreased Budget Line Items
- Equipment Repairs (-$100.00) $ 500.00
- Line Item was adjusted downward based on 2012 actuals
M. Sumner asked D. Zanello how long he had been in the Coordinator position.
D. Zanello replied that he was involved in the summer of 2009 but had only been officially in the position for about one (1) year.
D. Zanello noted that they had been doing some studio tours for scout and other groups and mentioned other programming that they are doing.
K. Lewis-Savage moved, second by G. Hamel to take the Cable Studio budget, in the amount of $32,712.00 under consideration. There was no discussion on the amended motion and the vote was 10-0-0 U/A.
It was noted in the handout that this amount has been approved by the Board of Selectmen (BOS).
Highway Administration – Presented by Dan Garlington, Highway Supervisor
D. Garlington presented the Highway Administration proposed line items for the 2013 budget:
Level Funded Budget Line Items:
- Highway Salaries $162,947.00
- Highway Temporary Labor $ 18,000.00
- Highway Overtime $ 38,000.00
Increased Budget Line Items:
- Uniforms (+$1,000.00) $ 4,000.00
- Increase allows for 2 pairs of safety boots per year for all personnel
- Training (+$249.00) $ 250.00
- The increase is to allow for more training for cable personnel
Decreased Budget Line Items
- Engineering (-$6,500.00) $ 10,000.00
- The decrease is due only the RSMS (Road Surface Management System) needing an update
- It was noted that the Department would like to get a weather warning program as well ($1,275.00 for Plan C of the distributed handout)
D. Garlington explained a weather alert software system that he would like to purchase. He noted the service would provide more detailed, up-to-the minute weather tools, including the ability to speak to a person. D. Garlington offered that even a single degree temperature change can affect his decision whether or not to salt a roadway.
K. Lewis-Savage asked if the Town could get into the system for the $1,275.00 and then opt-out of future years. It was verified that was possible.
D. Garlington noted that he can receive information via email, fax or phone. He added that he would like to work to join the school system with this as well. D. Garlington noted that by the time the news comes on television most treatment decision already had to be made. He offered that how to work through most storms is a combination of salt, weather conditions and knowledge.
At 7:14 p.m. there was a small earthquake and the meeting was temporarily recessed. The meeting was called back to order at 7:20 p.m. to be officially adjourned for the evening.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Dee Voss
Recording Secretary
| 
