TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
OCTOBER 6, 2010
6:30PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Gary Wall, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:31pm with Chris Aiken, Dick Keller, Beth Rodd, George Cilley, Don Jackson and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative was absent.
Review and Consideration of October 4, 2010 minutes:
Gary Wall, Chair referred to page 2 under Communications, 4th line up from bottom, the name Paul Sanderson, should be Sanders, and in the same sentence, the word once needs to be stricken.
Motion made by Dick Keller to accept the minutes with the above edits. Seconded by Don Jackson. Motion carried 6-0.
This meeting is to talk with Department Heads.
#1. Cemetery Committee – Tom Riley
The Cemetery 2010 budget is $17,085.00, and Gary Wall asked Mr. Riley if it were reduced by 5% or about eight hundred fifty four dollars how it would affect your budget. Mr. Riley advised it would be devastating. His budget was cut $1,000. last year which brought it to bare bones. Certain things were not done last year, like tree removal. There are two trees that definitely need to come down this year, which will cost about twelve hundred dollars. One thing that can be reduced from the budget is gas and oil, as that is now being paid for by the town, which is about two hundred dollars. Supplies have gone up $75.00 from last year and electric has gone up $80.00. Also, equipment repair has increased by fifty dollars. Ramps for the truck are needed this year as the old ones are all worn out, and these will cost around three hundred dollars. So, the increase this year is around four hundred dollars and does not include a raise if there will be one.
George Cilley questioned the trust fund money. Tom Riley advised the trust fund money has to be included in their budget, so of the $17,085 from last years budget, $7,770 came from the Trust Funds.
Tom Riley stated that there are 17 cemeteries that are cared for in Bradford.
The tree removal is contracted out as is the gravestone repair. Capital Reserve is used for these. Beth Rodd stated that some of the members in the Cemetery Dept. do a lot of work on their own. Tom Riley advised a new sign for Sunny Plain Cemetery is being put up this year. Gary Wall advised the taxpayers in Bradford are very appreciative of that.
Tom Riley read RSA 289 which states: Every municipality shall raise and appropriate sufficient funds by taxation or otherwise to provide for the suitable care and maintenance of the municipal cemetery within municipal boundaries and Article II says: operation and maintenance of all cemeteries shall be in the charge of cemetery trustees.
Gary Wall, Chair thanked the Cemetery Committee for coming in tonight.
#2. Library – Bea Howe
Bea Howe advised the library asks the town for basic necessities. They receive much of their funds through donations and fund raisings and interest from a variety of funds to fill in any blanks they have. At this time, Bea Howe went through their line items. Last year their appropriation was $4,750. This year they are asking the same as they asked for in 2010, which was $4,500. For activities to earn money, they hold six book sales a year, a fund raising dinner, sell book bags and that money is used to fill in where needed. The Payson Fund can be used for books or technology, and they did purchase their e-reader. $140.00 was paid to the NH Library Trustee Association for dues. Dept. of Labor was just in and found they had two chairs that have four casters, which now require 5 casters so a new chair was purchased. Also all the emergency lights had to be replaced and they had to replace a hot water heater in January.
Maintenance is a large cost at $3,800 last year and has been reduced to $3,500 this year.
Bea stated that they asked Fritz to cut back on lawn care, but since he likes it to look nice, he still does it and donates his services. Post office box has been given up. Made up their own library cards and had them copied at Staples for about 1/5 of the cost. Fuel cost had to be increased last year, and they are asking for the same amount at $3,000 this year which is the usual amount.
Two librarians need to be present at all times.
Employees are only part time and do not qualify for health benefits, consequently they try to increase salaries annually, this year by only 1%.
We are asking for $62,525 in this year’s budget, which is the same as last year. Bea Howe replied to Gary Wall’s question, that a 5% cut in the overall budget would be devastating.
Gary Wall thanked them for coming in.
#3. Planning Board – Marcia Keller:
Marcia Keller advised that the Planning Board could live with the 5% cut in their budget this year. The budget was cut back last year by $1,500+ as the Circuit Rider has not been used as much due to the economy. This year, only $157.50 has been spent out of the $2,500 that was budgeted. This line can be cut down; otherwise, the budget would probably need to stay the same, until the economy picks up, at which time it would need to be increased. Through September 30 out of the budget of $10,000, $5,310.67 has been spent. Marcia Keller advised there is some off-setting money that does come in that helps cover expenses.
The Budget report is put together with Zoning, however, they have their own separate budgets.
Commencing in April, the Zoning Board began hiring a secretary, which will need to be budgeted this year.
Gary Wall thanked Marcia coming in.
#4. Highway Department – Jeff Remillard:
Gary Wall, Chair questioned Jeff Remillard how a 5% cut in the highway budget would affect that department. Jeff replied that it couldn’t happen. They have already cut so many corners this year. Realistically they do not have enough money in the budget to maintain as is, and, they should not be maintained, but improved. Jeff advised if warrant articles do not pass, there needs to be money in the budget. At this time, there is an intent to request an increase in the highway budget of between $80,000 and $90,000 for this year. Some of the requirements include: pot holes, patching, gravel, re-ditch, more culverts etc.
Gary Wall, Chair thanked Jeff Remillard for coming in.
#5. Police Dept. – James Valiquet, Chief:
Chief Valiquet advised that a 5% reduction in the Police Budget would decrease approximately 16 hrs per week in patrol coverage. That would be just about where they are now, as they are in the process of hiring more employees. Chief Valiquet went over a couple of busy day responsibilities for the department as a point of why the coverage is required. Chief Valiquet advised he has increased the budget 8%, but is going to reduce it 15%. The tax liability to the taxpayers will be reduced by 15% as the Department does have a grant for a full time officer. $42,142.00 will be used for the new officer. Chief Valiquet advised he is actually going to be below the 2007 budget. Same thing will apply for next year due to the Grant money which is for three years. Chief Valiquet advised if they could take into consideration and use the money that comes in as revenue it would reduce the police budget by nearly 20%.
The final amount of the estimated budget request for next year is $247,369.12.
Chief Valiquet advised Ed Shaughnessy will be receiving a citation from the Governor on Oct. 20, 2010 for the outstanding job he is doing, and the Chief will be receiving the 2010 Fire Service Award of Excellence for 2010.
Gary Wall thanked James Valiquet, Chief for coming in.
Meeting Adjourned 7:30pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary