Standish Budget Committee
Thursday April 3, 2014
The meeting of the Standish Budget Committee was called to order at 6:10 pm.
Attendance - Carolyn Brown, Jane Cirone, Martha Hurd-Call, Katherine Post, Ronald Richardson, and Walter Wasson - all present
Chairperson Jane Cirone reviewed the answers to questions the Budget Committee asked the Town.
Ronald Richardson questioned why the computers for Public Works were more expensive than the computers for Cable TV. We are assuming the additional cost is due to needed software or monitors.
Jane Cirone said she has received feedback suggesting we ask the Town Council to perform an analysis on what dues/subscriptions/trainings have been attended in the past 3 years. This will determine what are necessary for next year.
The Budget Committee received the requested data for Expenditures in 2013 and an MMA survey showing similar employment positions and salaries for like towns in southern Maine.
Budget Review
Assessing
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous
Code Enforcement
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Fuel and Lubricants, leaving a total of $600 for that line.
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Dues and Subscriptions, leaving a total of $200 for that line
All items under this section were accepted with reductions – unanimous.
General Administration
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Other Commodities by $3,300, leaving a total of $1,000 for that line.
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Dues and Subscriptions, leaving a total of $300 for that line.
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Advertising, leaving a total of $864 for that line.
All items under this section were accepted with reductions – unanimous.
Cable TV
The Budget Committee agrees with the Town Council reduction of Contractual by $2,000.
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Other Commodities by $500 leaving a total of $1,000 for that line item.
All items under this section were accepted with reductions – unanimous.
Town Council
All items accepted as presented – unanimous
The Budget Committee is pleased the Town of Standish is considering the use of laptops and/or tablets to help decrease the amount of paper the Town uses by a considerable amount.
Town Clerk
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Advertising, leaving a total of $600 for that line.
The Budget Committee recommends increasing Other Commodities to a total of $900 for that line. The additional $300 would provide a luncheon for Town of Standish staff members who worked tirelessly to preserve Town records when a water pipe burst and flooded that portion of the Town Hall.
All items under this section were accepted with the above changes – unanimous.
Finance
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Planning
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Appeals
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Travel Expenditures to $0, since no money has been expended for the last several years.
All items under this section were accepted with the above reduction – unanimous.
Building Maintenance
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Other Commodities, leaving a total of $500 for that line item.
All items under this section were accepted with the reduction – unanimous.
Katherine Post would like to recommend the overhead lights at the Sebago Lake and Steep Falls skating rinks be turned off at 9:00 pm. These lights are operated with a timer system.
Public Safety
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Law Enforcement
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
General Assistance
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Public Works
The Budget Committee recommends reducing Other Commodities, eliminating the Meal Allowance and reducing the Work Shoes, leaving a total of $660 for that line item. (Passed 4-2)
All items under this section were accepted with the reductions – unanimous.
Solid Waste
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Ronald Richardson recommends the Town review its process for selling stickers at the Transfer Station. He would like to see these sold at Town Hall or through the mail. The order form could be included with the residential property tax bills.
Recreation
The Budget Committee recommends eliminating the Postage allowance because it has not been expended within the past three years.
All items under this section were accepted with the reduction – 5-0-1. Walter Wasson abstains until he has more time to review the numbers provided to us at tonight’s meeting.
Donations
The Budget Committee recommends increasing the donation for Lake Region Transportation to $750. This service has been increasing their rides for Standish residents to fill the gap left when RTP rides are not available.
All items in this section were accepted with the addition – unanimous.
Capital
Public Safety
This item was accepted as presented – unanimous.
General Administration
There were no items in this section
Parks and Recreation
This item was accepted as presented – unanimous.
Public Works
The Budget Committee recommends removing the Sidewalk matching amounts under Public Works. (5-1)
All items under this section were accepted with the above reduction – (5-1).
Ronald Richardson explained, in the long run, we will pay for these sidewalks anyway and he would like to see the Town get the matching funds while they are available.
Walter Wasson expressed concern about additional costs down the road for sidewalks.
CY Highway Rd Improvement
This item was accepted as presented – unanimous.
Walter Wasson would like to know when improvements to Saco Road would be made. The road has deteriorated greatly this winter.
PY Highway Rd Improvement
There were no items in this section.
Employee Benefits
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Insurance
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Debt Service
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
Revenue
The Budget Committee would like additional information on Miscellaneous Services, Dispatch and Sale of Materials/property. The answers to these questions will not change our decision.
All items under this section were accepted as presented – unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katherine Post
Budget Committee Secretary
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