Budget Committee Minutes 01.09.20

January 22, 2020 Laurie Colburn Budget Committee, Minutes 0

Budget Committee Draft Minutes

January 9, 2020

Members – Marlene Freyler (Chair), Jason Allen (Select Board Rep), Claire James, Justin Dohrn, Cheryl Croto (arrived at 7:10pm), and Town Administrator Karen Hambleton were in attendance.

Mark Fournier (Vice Chair) was absent. Courtney Schusler resigned.

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was called to order at 6:36pm.

Receipt of Correspondence:

  1. The Committee reviewed the minutes from the January 2, 2020 meeting.

Motion: Claire James motioned to approve the minutes.

Second: Justin Dorhn

Decision: 3-0 in favor, Jason Allen abstained.

Review of Budget and Expenditures:

  1. The Committee reviewed each budget line and made preliminary recommendations on budget amounts for 2020, comparing previous year(s) spending and discussing any changes for 2020.
    1. Karen explained 2019 spending and the 2020 increases. Significant discussion revolved around Computer Repairs which supports a 5-year IT service and hardware replacement program. Annually, $12,790 is for computer and software support, $500 for firewall support and $8,800 a year for hardware. Claire debated that this is more of a CIP item. Some concern was raised about the Town voting down the hardware, which is end of life and necessary to manage Town business. Justin agreed that this is an operating expense but would like to see the hardware broken out. The Committee encouraged the Select Board to explain this item at Town Meeting.
    1. Ed Shaughnessy provided the Committee with detail around how employee expenses were calculated. The Committee questioned increases given in 2019 as an equitable increase to bring officers to the low end of salary range trends in the area and why there was an inclusion of a merit increase in 2020.
    1. Mark Goldberg, Chief Gary Dion and Carl Goldberg spoke about the details in the Fire and Rescue Department budget lines. Mark explained the history of modeling the Fire Chief and stipend pay based upon the Town of Deering. Questions were raised around the #5,000 which was approved as a Warrant Item in 2019 to migrate the Chief position to a part time salaried position and on-call/per diem for the Fire Fighters. Mark stated the Chief salary was budgeted for $40,000 annually plus $5,000 for payroll taxes. $18,000 was planned for on call/ per-diem annually. This totaled $63,000 and the Warrant was for 6 months so $31,500 was included in the Warrant, $3,500 was added for the purchase of protective gear for the Chief, radio install, badges, etc. for a total Warrant amount of $35,000. On call/per diem expense is trending higher than the Deering estimate and is anticipated to be $24,000 annually and the Chief’s salary was recommended by the Fire Department to be $40,000 annually plus taxes estimated at $5,000.
    1. The Committee will continue their review on January 23, 2020.

Motion: Justin Dorhn motioned to adjourn at 9:47pm.

Second: Jason Allen

Decision: 5-0 in favor

Future Business:

  1. The next Budget meeting will be held January 23rd, 2020 at 6:30pm.
  2. The Budget Committee will hold a Public Hearing on January 30th, 2020 to review the 2020 Budget, with a continuance date of February 6th, 2020 if needed.

Meeting minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary.