BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
January 7, 2014
Call to Order 6:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Kristin Lewis Savage
Martha Sumner
Darrell Britton
David Gerns
Ben Sadewicz
Dennis Heffernan
Tricia Holt – excused
Barry Weymouth - excused
John Sherman, Selectmen Ex-Officio
Also Present: Sean Fitzgerald, Town Manager
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Sean Fitzgerald.
The minutes of the January 4, 2014 were deferred.
BUDGET PRESENTATIONS:
Budget Reductions – Sean Fitzgerald, Town Manager
S. Fitzgerald states that the reductions being presented are the result of each department head reviewing their proposed budgets line by line to determine where cuts could be made. Following the review there have been reductions of over $150,000.00. Over all there is an increase of 1.4% over last year’s budget.
Discussion occurs regarding a $3,000.00 adjustment that the Board of Selectmen approved in December regarding impact fee updates.
S. Fitzgerald continues reviewing the budgets for the following departments:
- Revenue Waterline Fees
- No Waterline Expansion until 2015
S. Fitzgerald continues that these reductions have all been recommended and they are reasonable and will keep the Town in a forward momentum.
J. Sherman states that more accurate actuals are available now with the closing of 2013.
K. Lewis-Savage states that each budget line will be voted on for the 2014 proposed budget.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for the Executive Offices in the amount of $292,894.00
2nd by M. Sumner
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget of the Town Clerk in the amount of $99,578.00.
2nd by D. Gerns
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Elections in the amount of $18,600.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Finance in the amount of $93,384.00.
2nd by B. Sadewicz
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Assessing in the amount of $148,022.00
2nd by D. Gerns
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for the Tax Collector in the amount of $44,492.00
2nd by D. Heffernan
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
D. Gerns moves to approve the Budget of the Treasurer/Trustees in the amount of $8,579.00
2nd by M. Sumner
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Legal in the amount of $40,000.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Personnel Administration in the amount of $1,709,823.00.
2nd by D. Gerns
Vote: 6-0-1 (K. Lewis-Savage abstain)
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Planning in the amount of $84,904.00.
2nd D. Heffernan
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Zoning in the amount of $7,110.00.
2nd by D. Gerns
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for General Government Buildings in the amount of $179,305.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Town Insurance in the amount of $83,000.00
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Advertising/Reg. Assoc. in the amount of $25,771.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
D. Gerns moves to approve the Budget for Cable Studio in the amount of $32,711.00
2nd by D. Heffernan
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Conflict of Interest in the amount of $600.00.
2nd by M. Sumner
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
D. Gerns moves to approve the Budget for Police/ACO Department in the amount of $1,849,736.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 6-0-1 (K. Lewis-Savage abstain)
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Fire Department in the amount of $537,836.00.
2nd by M. Sumner
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Building Inspection in the amount of $114,582.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Emergency Management in the amount of $23,994.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Public Works in the amount of $287,361.00.
2nd by D. Gerns
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Highway Department in the amount of $558,300.00
2nd by D. Heffernan
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Street Lighting in the amount of $97,000.00.
2nd by D. Heffernan
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
D. Gerns moves to approve the Budget for Solid Waste Disposal in the amount of $515,000.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Solid Waste Clean-Up in the amount of $47,000.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Water Distribution in the amount of $45,505.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Health in the amount of $79,542.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Human Services in the amount of $59,482.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Welfare Administration in the amount of $740.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
D. Gerns moves to approve the Budget for Welfare Direct Assistance in the amount of $32,350.00.
2nd by D. Heffernan
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Recreation Department in the amount of $211,382.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Library in the amount of $511,282.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Patriotic Purposes in the amount of $1,000.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Cultural in the amount of $26,619.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
B. Sadewicz moves to approve the Budget for Conservation Commission in the amount of $9,690.00.
2nd by M. Sumner
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
M. Sumner moves to approve the Budget for Debt Service in the amount of $1.00.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
K. Lewis-Savage states that the individual budgets have been approved for a total of $7,877,175.00 which is in line with what the Board of Selectmen have approved at this time. Inquired of S. Fitzgerald status of the MS-7 and requested a copy for the Public Hearing and also a full copy of the Budget with individual line items.
S. Fitzgerald responds that Gayle Hamel can provide the copies to the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee. They can be emailed with PDF copies.
K. Lewis-Savage inquires if there are any questions regarding the Default Budget. The Default Budget is $8,030,101.00, which is more than the Proposed Budget.
Warrant Articles
S. Fitzgerald states that P-14-09 Replacement of the Fire Department Command Vehicle will be removed following the Board of Selectmen meeting the decision was to use the available balance on the Public Safety impact fees. The Board is also considering a change in the language to the article that is concerned with a cost of living raise for the Town Clerk and Tax Collector.
Building Systems Capital Reserve Fund Deposit P-14-12
D. Heffernan motion to reconsider Article P-14-12.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
D. Heffernan moves to approve Article P-14-12.
2nd by D. Britton
Vote: 7-0-0
Motion passes.
K. Lewis-Savage states that Article P-14-21 Reduction of Budget Committee Members
Discussion occurs regarding how the reduction would take place.
K. Lewis-Savage states Article P14-22 Disposing of Tax Deeded Property:
“Shall the Town vote to adopt the provisions of RSA 80:80 III, to authorize the Plaistow Board of Selectmen to dispose of Tax Deeded Property, as justice may require, indefinitely or until rescinded?”
Intent: This warrant allows the Plaistow Board of Selectmen to dispose of (sell) property that the Town has taken due to the failure to pay Town owed property taxes.
Discussion occurs regarding the article.
K. Lewis-Savage states the next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a Public Hearing beginning at 7 p.m. In the event of snow, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. and the Public Hearing will be at 7 p.m.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Kerry Lee Noel
Recording Secretary
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