BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
October 21, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 6:49 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Martha Sumner, Chair, Excused
Kristin Lewis-Savage, Vice Chair
Tricia Holt, Excused
W. David Gerns, Excused
Darrell Britton
Dennis Heffernan
Jack Paone
Charles Fowler
Dean Nifakos, Excused
John Sherman, Selectmen Ex-Officio
Also present: Sean Fitzgerald, Town Manager
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by D. Heffernan
It was noted that there is not a quorum for this meeting so there will be no votes or actions taken. Approval of the minutes was deferred to the next meeting.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) PRESENTATION – Sean Fitzgerald, Town Manager
S. Fitzgerald gave a PowerPoint presentation on the CIP. It was noted that the CIP consists of a spreadsheet and a text document which narrates the details of the spreadsheet. S. Fitzgerald noted offered that the CIP offered the opportunity to plan out larger capital expenses over six (6) years to even out the tax burden.
S. Fitzgerald noted during the presentation where there was preliminary Warrant Article language for items being considered for this year’s Warrant. He added that not all will necessarily be on this year’s Warrant.
J. Sherman noted that it is the spreadsheet that the Committee votes on, not the details of the text document. He noted that pages 1-11 are the CIP document and the last five (5) pages are supporting documentation. J. Sherman added this is what appears in the Town Report.
Some of the projects that were discussed where: Replacement of Highway Department Dump Truck; SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) and AED (Automated External Defibrillators) replacements (2nd phase) for the Fire Department; Cruiser Replacement; Communications Systems Replacement; Less-Lethal Weapons; and establishment of an Unmarked Vehicle Capital Reserve Account for the Police Department; Communications Tower Equipment and CERT (Community Emergency Response Team); Salt Shed; Highway Garage; Pump House; Department of Building Safety Replacement Vehicle; Development of a Public Works Department; Recreation Expansion Plans.
There were opportunities for committee members to ask questions about specific items in the CIP.
It was noted that personnel and salary items are not considered as capital expenses, but as part of the operating budget.
There was discussion about the establishment of a Water Department. Locations that were discussed were as part of a Department of Public Works campus with the Highway Department and as taking over a portion of the current Public Safety Complex once a new Police Station is constructed.
Committee Reports
D. Heffernan noted that the Public Safety Building Committee meeting had been postponed and a new date had not yet been set.
Old Business
Members were reminded of the Budget Committee Training on October 29, 2014, 6:30 at Town Hall.
New Business
There was no new business brought forth at this meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Dee Voss
Recording Secretary
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