JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE AND SELECT BOARD MINUTES
January 11, 2018
Meeting called to order at 5:36 pm by Beth Downs.
Members Present
Beth Downs, Chair; Dave Nunnally; Chris Mock; Claire James (5:39); Michael James (5:39); John Pfeifle, Selectman; Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator
Members Absent
Kathy Rodgers; Sonny Harris, Selectman; Jim Bibbo, Selectman
Also in Attendance
Melissa Cloutier, Town Clerk/Tax Collector; Ed Shaughnessy, Police Dept
Review Minutes from Last Meeting:
The minutes from the December 7, 2017 meeting were unanimously approved.
Discussion with Department Heads:
Financial Administration – Melissa answered questions and discussed the Software Support, Election Expense (more elections this year) and Equipment Purchase lines. Melissa indicated that the Election Expense line was up due to more elections this year. She agreed to lower her Equipment Purchase line. The Budget Committee recommended the Financial Administration line at $105,000.
Police Dept – Ed explained the increase in the Gasoline line request was due to the expectation that the department would be patrolling more this year. He stated the Dispatch line had been increased to reflect what Merrimack County Dispatch will charge us this year. This is not an expense we have control over. The Overtime line was discussed and Ed explained why the expense had jumped this year unexpectedly. The Budget Committee recommended the Police Dept line at $473,000.
Fire Dept – Mark Goldberg had responded to the Committee’s questions via email. The Budget Committee was satisfied with his answer and recommended this line at $57,000.
Rescue Dept – The Committee had reviewed the response Carl Goldberg had sent via email and was satisfied with his explanation. The Budget Committee recommended this line at $17,000.
Highway Dept – Karen relayed the Road Agent’s answers to the previously asked questions. The increase in Outside Services is to add an additional plow driver. It was explained that Overtime is paid to all 4 Highway employees, not just one. The question was asked if an additional part time person could reduce this line. The Committee agreed it would make sense to look at the overtime trend partway through the year instead of during the Budget setting process (too last minute). The Committee suggested that the Dust Control equipment be placed in separate warrant article. It was asked if we could sell the junk mower and mower rental figures were requested. A motion was made to revisit the overtime issue in the summer of 2018. It passed with a 4-1 vote. With the Dust Control line going to a warrant article, the Budget Committee recommended the Highway Dept line at $497,000.
Review List of Proposed Capital Projects and Reserve Requests:
Michael began the discussion about the warrant articles presenting an argument not to lease or borrow for purchases. He stated that with the Town’s current lease and bond obligations, $714,000 in interest will be paid over the life of these bonds and leases. He presented Year 1(2018) of the CIP plan and asked the Committee to adopt the Year 1 CIP expense plan. He indicated that some of this year’s warrant expense could be offset by savings in reductions in the 2018 budget over the 2017 budget. He indicated that he felt the Town should place money in a Capital Reserve fund for 3-5 years with the goal of having $950,000 saved before proceeding with the Town Hall project.
It was agreed that the members of the Committee needed some time to digest the ideas before voting. The Committee agreed to meet on January 16th to finish the discussion about warrant articles.
There was no public input.
As there was no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting adjourned 7:45.
Minutes submitted by Karen Hambleton