TOWN OF BRADFORD
Budget Committee
January 16, 2013
6:30pm
Call To Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with Jon Marden, Will Hurley, George Cilley, Beth Rodd, Harry Wright, Selectmen’s Representative and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Review and Consideration of the January 9, 2013 minutes:
Motion was made by George Cilley, seconded by Jon Marden to approve the January 9, 2013 minutes.
Two corrections: Discussion on the Highway Budget #4312 being $384,230 to
$384,030. Minutes were correct at $384,230.00,
On page two , the two Bond Hearings discussed should be for: Town Hall Restoration and Highway Bond, not Budget Committee.
Motion carried with edits. 6-0.
Budget Interviews with Departments:
4445 Welfare Budget – Cheryl Frey came before the Budget Committee stating her work has increased and the price of gas as well as outreach, she would like to receive $500.00 a month as a stipend. When asked for a list of activities Cheryl advised it is very difficult to put a time line on activities as it is not an exact block of time and varies week to week. Some of the activities include telephone calls, trips to Concord, visiting clients, working at night etc. looking for other assistance.
The committee suggested better records for next year and identify skills sets.
4520 Parks and Rec:
Bruce Edwards came before the Budget Committee advised he is asking for $2,000.00 as most of their income comes from the Road Race and if it rains, then it drops considerably.
Question is the $775.00 spent last year for a refrigerator and do they anticipate any other big items this year?
Warrant Articles:
The Town Hall Restoration and the Highway budget:. Cheryl Behr advised the last date for Bond Hearing is scheduled for Feb 25 and 7 days previous needs to be publicized in the paper. The Highway Bond is for $607,000 with no set dollar amount set for each year.
$35,240.00 is listed for a new police cruiser. Chief Valiquet advised some of the reasons for this is trying to stretch out the life of each car. A 2013 Taurus gets about 20 miles to the gallon. It was suggested by Chief Valiquet that perhaps leasing a 4 wheel drive vehicle is the way to go. That would save a $4,000 gas bill. Some of the old equipment could be transferred to the new vehicle. Harry Wright advised this was tabled at the Selectmen’s meeting. Cheryl will bring in paperwork from dealers.
Discussion ensued regarding a Highway Safety Sign which has dual purposes, being on the highway, accidents, speed, as well as a message holder. Chief Valiquet will bring in information. It does have a limited set up space.
Fire Department Budget:
$40,000.00 for a Fire Department new Generator has been reduced to $37,000.00.
Marc Goldberg, Fire Chief compared and explained usage. Also he indicated that CAT is readily available for parts and service. Diesel fuel is easier to get during an emergency. A new slab would be required. Will Hurley has looked at a 36K for under $12,000.00
Chief Goldberg stated that when there is a storm the station is manned.
Motion was made to approve the Bridge Design and Replacement at $53,215.00 by George Cilley. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved..
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to approve the Salt and Fuel Emergency Capital Reserve Fund at $5,000.00. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen Approved.
$50,000 for Asphalt Road Repairs and Shimming.
Includes Fairgrounds Road and they will be more specific on this.
This is contingent on the Bond not passing.
Hold off on this.
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve the Boat Launch at $5,000.00 Seconded by Harry Wright. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
Town Facilities.
Hold for now,
Main Street Improvement.
Hold for now.
Motion was made to approve the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports at $2,750.00. by Beth Rodd. Seconded by George Cilley. Carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made by Will Hurley to approve the Fire Department Heavy Equipment at $40,000.00. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve the Ambulance at $10,000.00. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made for Revaluation by George Cilley for $10,000.00. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made to approve Gravestone at $2,000.00 by Beth Rodd. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion tied 3-3. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made to approve Highway Heavy Equipment at $30,000. by George Cilley.
Seconded by Will Hurley. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made to approve Town Building Repairs at $5,000.00 by Jon Marden.
Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made to approve Town Facilities at $5,000.00 by George Cilley. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 5-0. One abstention. Selectmen approved.
Motion was made to approve Main Street Improvement at$10,000 by George Cilley. Seconded by Will Hurley. Motion carried 6-0.
Discussion and Consideration:
#4441 Welfare: $5,100.00
Motion was made to approve Welfare at $5100.00 by Jon Marden. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 6-0. Selectmen approved.
#4520 Parks & Recreation $2,000.00
Motion to approve Parks & Recreation at $2,000.00 was made by Will Hurley.
Seconded by George Cilley.
Motion was made by Jon Marden to amend Parks & Recreation to $1,500.00. Seconded by Will Hurley. Motion tied 3-3
Motion was made by Will Hurley to recommend the Amendment to Parks & Recreation to $2.000.00. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion tied 3-3.
Motion was made to reconsider Parks & Recreation at $1,500.00 by Jon Marden. Seconded by Will Hurley. Motion carried 5-1.
#4130 Executive: $127,293.00
Other towns have been contacted, similar size as Bradford, and found Bradford to be on the high side of wages. The Dept., of Employment was also looked at and found that Bradford is on the top end, however there are variables.
Motion was made by Jon Marden to place One hundred twenty one thousand four hundred eighty eight dollars ($121,488.00) in the Executive line. Will Hurley seconded.
Motion carried 4-1 One abstention.
#4240 Building Department $10,000.00,
Motion was made by Will Hurley to approve the Building Department at $10,000.00
Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 6-0.
Harry Wright, Selectmen Representative advised he has re-written the Building Permit form and will get copies to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. It was stated that enforcement is key.
#4140 Election, Registration
Did not reconsider.
4196 Insurance $78,539.00
Motion was made by Jon Marden to reconsider Insurance. at $69,881.31 Seconded by George Cilley. Motion defeated 6-0.
Any other Budget Committee business to be discussed.
Report for the town report will be done by Dick Keller, Chair and forwarded to the committee for comments.
Budget Committee will sit up front at Town Meeting as they did last year.
Committee will reconsider what they heard tonight regarding the Generator for the Fire Dept. Committee will review in a week.
Last day to hold Bond Hearing is February 25th. The Budget Committee does not handle Bonds.
Budget Public Hearing scheduled for February 8, 2013 at 7:00pm, Second Public Hearing scheduled for February 15, 2013 if required.
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to hold the first Budget Public Hearing on February 8, 2013 at 7:00pm. with second Hearing February 15th if needed. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 6-0.
Next Meeting scheduled for: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 6:30pm
Motion to adjourn made, seconded and carried at 9:45pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary