TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 1, 2011
7:00PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Gary Wall, Chair called the meeting to order with Beth Rodd, George Cilley, Chris Aiken, Don Jackson, Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative, and Dick Keller via Telecommunication (speaker phone) and Marge Cilley, Secretary.
Review and Consideration of the January 25, 2011 minutes:
Motion was made by George Cilley to accept the minutes as written. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 7-0.
Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative advised the earlier Article 8 has been replaced with Article 28.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of ______________for the general municipal operation. This article DOES NOT include amounts appropriated by other warrant articles. (Majority vote required)
Selectmen Budget Committee
a. Executive 122,921.58 121,073.00
b. Elections and Vital records 6,030.00 6,030.00
c. Financial Administration 90,262.00 89,179.00
d. Revaluations 25,555.00 25,555.00
e. Legal 22,000.00 22,000.00
f. Employee Benefits- 297,492.60 297,442.00
g. Planning and Zoning 8,100.00 8,100.00
h. General Government Buildings 50,400.00 47,400.00
i. Cemetery 18,065.00 18,065.00
j. Insurance 76,700.00 76,700.00
k. Other General Government 10,100.00 8,800.00
l. Police Department 315,163.00 315,163.00
m. Fire Department 59,250.00 59,250.00
n. Rescue Services 176,940.00 176,940.00
o. Building Code Department 10,325.00 9,325.00
p. Emergency Management 500.00 500.00
q. Highway Department 446,964.00 426,964.00
r. Bridge Maintenance 25.00 25.00
s. Street Lighting 4,500.00 4,500.00
t. Solid Waste Collection 47,850.00 47,850.00
u. Solid Waste Disposal 52,000.00 52 000.00
v. Inoculations 250.00 250.00
w. Welfare Administration 3,914.00 3,914.00
x. Welfare Vendor Payments 31,386.00 31,386.00
y. Parks and Recreation 1,725.00 1,725.00
z. Library 62,525.00 62,525.00
aa. Patriotic Purposes 14,500.00 14,500.00
bb. Community Center 52,050.00 52,050.00
cc. Other Conservation 740.00 740.00
dd. Long Term Notes 35,000.00 35,000.00
ee. Interest on T.A.N. 3,000.00 3,000.00
Total 2,046,233.18
4130 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to set the Executive at $121,073.00. Seconded by Peter Fenton. Dick Keller voted no. Motion carried 6-1.
4140 Motion was made by Don Jackson to set the Election, Registration at $6,030.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
4150 Dick Keller advised this is an 11.5% increase and he recommends changing it to $84,820.00, which is a 4.8% increase. The following adjustments would be made to Deputy Town Clerk left the same as there is a change in hours. Deputy Treasurer remains the same. Town Clerk/Tax Collector reduced from 2% to 1%, as well as the Treasurer. Lien search reduced to $1,200.00, Postage from $4383.00 to $3600.00.
Motion was made by Dick Keller to set the Finance Budget at $84,820.00.
Seconded by Beth Rodd. Dick Keller voted yes. 6 voted no. Motion defeated.
Motion was made by Don Jackson to change the figure to $89,179.00 by leaving the salaries as presented. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Dick Keller voted No. Motion carried 6-1.
4142 Motion was made by Dick Keller to accept Revaluation at $25,555.00
Seconded by George Cilley. Motion Carried 7-0.
4153 Motion was made by Dick Keller to accept Legal at $22,000.00. Seconded by Peter Fenton. Motion carried 7-0.
4155 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept Employee Benefits at $297,442.00. Seconded by Don Jackson. Dick Keller opposed. Motion carried 6-1.
4191 Motion was made by Don Jackson to accept Planning and Zoning at $8,100.00. Motion seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
4194 Motion made by Gary Wall to adjust the amount on General Govt. Bldgs to $47,400.00 and look at line 4300. Chris Aiken seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
4195 Motion was made to accept Cemeteries at $18,065.00 by Don Jackson. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 7-0.
4196 Motion was made by George Cilley to accept Insurance at $76,700.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
4199 Motion was made by Dick Keller to reduce Other Gen’l Govt. to $8,800.00 by reducing environmental testing to $5,000.00. Seconded by Don Jackson. Motion carried 7-0.
4210 Motion was made by Dick Keller to set the Police Budget at $298,534.00 by reducing it by $17,000.00, which is a 3.1% increase. Seconded by Don Jackson. Dick Keller voted yes. Motion defeated 6-1.
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to put the Police Budget back at $315,163.00. Seconded by Peter Fenton. Dick Keller voted no. Motion carried 6-1.
Mention was made the COPS Grant will be returning $46,081.48 this year.
4220 Motion was made by George Cilley to accept Fire Dept. at $59,250.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0
4225 Motion was made by George Cilley, to accept Rescue at $176,940.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Gary Wall recommended passing this Article. Motion carried 7-0.
4240 Motion was made by Gary Wall to accept Building at $9,325.00
Seconded by Beth Rodd. Voting No- Chris Aiken, Peter Fenton Motion carried 5-2.
4290 Motion made by Don Jackson to accept Emergency Mgt. at $500.00
Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0
4312 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept Highway at $446,964.00.
Seconded by Peter Fenton. Comments include #3901-Contract Services. It was stated this is a 17% increase over last year’s budget. Discussion ensued regarding rental of equipment.
Gary Wall made a Motion to drop the Highway budget to $426,964.00. Much of this would come out of the rental line item. Dick Keller interjected this would bring the increase down to 11.5% over 2010. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Yes Votes – Gary Wall, Don Jackson, Beth Rodd, George Cilley. No Votes- Peter Fenton, Chris Aiken, and Dick Keller. Motion carried 4-3.
4313 Motion was made by Don Jackson to accept Bridges at $25.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
4316 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept Street Lights at $4500.00. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 7-0.
4323 Motion was made by George Cilley to accept Transfer Station Collection
At $47,850.00. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 7-0.
4324 Motion was made by Dick Keller to accept Transfer Station Disposal at $52,000.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
4415 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept Inoculations at $250.00 Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 7-0.
4441 Motion was made by Beth Rodd to accept Welfare Administration at $3,914.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
4445 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept Welfare Vendor Payments
at $31,386.00. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 7-0.
4520 Motion was made by Don Jackson to accept Parks and Rec at $1,725.00. Seconded by George Cilley. No Vote- Beth Rodd. Motion carried 6-1.
4550 Motion was made by Don Jackson to accept Library at $62,525.00
Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
4583 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept Patriotic Purposes at $14,500.00. Seconded by Dick Keller. Beth Rodd voted no. Motion carried 6-1.
4589 Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept Community Center at $52,050.00. Discussion ensued, including what the income amount might be. Peter Fenton, advised RFP’s have been put out for the Day Care area. Motion seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 7-0.
4619 Motion was made to accept Other Conservation at $740.00 by Dick Keller. Beth Rodd Seconded. Motion carried 7-0.
4711 Motion was made by George Cilley to accept Long Term Notes at $35,000.00. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
Motion was made to accept Interest on TAN at $3,000.00, by Dick Keller. Seconded by Chris Aiken. Motion carried 7-0.
Article 11. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for the design of Bridge #161/145 on Breezy Hill Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation until the money is spent or December 31, 2016. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Unanimously Recommend __________.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a seven year lease/purchase agreement for Three Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Nine dollars ($364,739.000) for a grader and backhoe loader for the Highway Department and to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Thousand and Eighty Five dollars ($60,085.00) for the first year’s payment. This agreement contains a fiscal funding clause (escape clause). Passage of this article will cause Article 16,17,18,19 to be withdrawn and Article 22 to be reduced to Ten Thousand dollars ($10,000.00) Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee – Not Recommended (Yes votes- Peter Fenton and Gary Wall, Chris Aiken) (No votes George Cilley, Don Jackson, Beth Rodd, Dick Keller) Motion defeated.
Motion was made by Dick Keller to reconsider Article 12. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Dick Keller questioned what condition the grader is actually in, and should it actually be replaced. The article to repair the grader, Now Article 16 (for $36,000) would be carried out over a 5 year period. Much discussion took place.
Motion to reconsider – yes Beth Rodd, George Cilley, Don Jackson, Dick Keller, No votes, Gary Wall, Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative, Chris Aiken. Motion carried 4-3.
Motion to accept Article 12 as written made by Peter Fenton, seconded by Chris Aiken.
(Yes votes, Peter Fenton, Gary Wall, Chris Aiken.) No votes, George Cilley, Don Jackson, Beth Rodd, Dick Keller. Motion defeated 4-3.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a seven year lease/purchase agreement for Ninety Two Thousand Thirty Four dollars ($92,034.00) for a backhoe loader for the Highway Department and to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixteen Thousand Two Hundred dollars ($16,200.00) for the first year’s payment. This agreement contains a fiscal funding clause (escape clause). Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommended. (Yes Votes- Gary Wall, Peter Fenton, George Cilley) (Beth Rodd abstained)______________.
Motion was made by Dick Keller to reconsider this article. No second to the motion.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a seven year lease/purchase agreement for Two Hundred Seventy Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Five dollars ($272,705.00) for a grader for the Highway Department and to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Three Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Five dollars ($43,885.00) for the first year’s payment. This agreement contains a fiscal funding clause (escape clause). If this article passes article 19 will be withdrawn. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Does Not Recommend. (Yes votes – Peter Fenton) (No Votes George Cilley, Gary Wall) (Beth Rodd abstained)_______.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate Ninety Two Thousand Thirty Four dollars) ($92,034.00) for the purchase of a backhoe loader for the Highway Department; and to further withdraw Eighty Three Thousand dollars ($83,000.00) from the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve with the remaining Nine Thousand and Thirty Four dollars ($9,034.00) to be raised by taxation. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously.______________.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate Thirty Six Thousand dollars ($36,000.00) for the repair of the Town grader. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 2016 or until the money is expended. If Article 15 or Article 17 passes this article will be withdrawn. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Unanimously Recommends __________
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eleven Thousand dollars ($11,000.00) for dust control. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 2016 or until the money is expended. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends (Yes Votes – George Cilley, Peter Fenton, Beth Rodd.) No Votes Gary Wall)__________.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand dollars ($24,000) to slip line a culvert on Davis Road. Selectmen recommend unanimously. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously._________.
Discussion ensued regarding how this is done, and it was stated that the Highway Dept. will do the work. This may be a bid job.
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve Article 18 as written. Seconded by Chris Aiken.
Motion carried 7-0.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Eight Thousand dollars ($48,000.00) to chip seal East Washington Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 2016 or until the money is expended. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously __________.
Article 20: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to fund the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. If Article 15 is passed this article will be reduced to Ten Thousand dollars ($10,000) Majority Vote required. Selectmen recommend unanimously. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously ____________.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000.00) to purchase a new police cruiser. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) to be placed in the Snow, Salt and Fuel emergency capital reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously ____________
Article 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for Asphalt Road repair and shimming. This is a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 31, 2016 or until used. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously __________.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to be placed in the Bridge Repair Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously ________.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for the Ambulance Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously ________
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for the Town Facilities Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously____________
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the Emergency Repair of Town Buildings Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously__________.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand dollars ($20,000) to insulate and perform other maintenance repairs on the town hall. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 31, 2016 or until the money is spent whichever is first. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously __________________
Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative advised that after their meeting today, they decided to go with the $20,000 and insulate the building and see where they go from there and if there is any money left over, then paint the remainder of the building on the outside. Conversation ensued regarding thermo- imaging, what and how it would be done.
Dick Keller questioned if there is any Capital Reserve that can be applied to this? There is not enough money there to pay for this endeavor per Peter Fenton, Selectman Representative.
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to approve Article 29 as written. Seconded by Chris Aiken.
Motion carried 7-0.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) for the Fire Dept Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously ___________.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to be placed in the Communications Capital Reserve Fund. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously _____
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to fund the revaluation capital reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously____________
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the Fire Dept Building Repair Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously __________.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Five thousand dollars ($45,000) to complete the Transportation Enhancement grant for sidewalks received in 2010. Thirty six thousand dollars ($36,000) will be from NH DOT Transportation Enhancement funds (80%) and the remaining Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000.00) (20%) will come from Fund Balance. No money will be raised by taxation. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously
It was pointed out that the amount from NHDOT ($40,000.00) needs to be changed to $36,000.00.
Motion was made by Peter Fenton to approve Article 34 as amended. Seconded by Chris Aiken.
Motion carried 7-0.
___________.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to be deposited in the Main Street Sidewalk Improvements Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend _________. Budget Committee. Recommend Unanimously.
Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative advised the Selectmen are withdrawing the Article regarding replacing the roof of the Bement Bridge, for $28,000.00. This was Article number 36 on last weeks Article listing. Reason for this is because of no estimates received at this time. Question was asked what would happen if this is not taken care of. It was stated that the structure is not good. Dick Keller advised this bridge is in poor shape, needs new roofing and is a valuable asset to the town.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the Gravestone Repair Expendable Trust. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously ______.
Article 37. To see if the municipality will vote to discontinue the New Highway Garage Capital Reserve created in 2002. Said funds, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal, are to be transferred to the municipality’s general fund. (Majority Vote required). Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends (Yes Votes – George Cilley, Peter Fenton, Beth Rodd, Don Jackson, Chris Aiken, Gary Wall) (No vote – Dick Keller)
Motion was made by Don Jackson to approve Article 37 as written. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried. (Yes votes, George Cilley, Peter Fenton, Beth Rodd, Don Jackson, Chris Aiken
Gary Wall). No vote – Dick Keller. ______.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,750.00). for the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports. Majority Vote required. Selectmen recommend – two yes votes and one abstain (Meaney). Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously ______.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) for the Milfoil project at the Town Boat launch. Majority Vote required. Selectmen _________. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously Wording change : Milfoil project and Town Boat etc.)______.
Motion was made to approve Article 39 as written with edit by George Cilley. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried 7-0.
Article 40. Town hall restoration resolution – To see if the town will vote to support continued
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to reinstate the BACC Director position to full time, as had been previously voted by the Town, inclusive of Parks and Recreation activities, and increase the budget by $31,845 to cover nine months of additional wages and employee benefits for the reinstated position. This article will be designated a special warrant article for this warrant. BY PETITION Selectmen_____________ Budget Committee Does Not Recommend (Yes votes – Beth Rodd, Gary Wall, Dick Keller) No Votes – George Cilley, Peter Fenton, Chris Aiken, Don Jackson) ___________
Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative advised the Selectmen did not recommend this Article (Petition) It was also pointed out that there has been a part time director since January 1, 2011, and there has been no issues, and it is a way to try to save the town some money. It was also stated that when the Community Center first opened up, there was a part time director and was running as efficiently as it is now.
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve Article 41 as written. Seconded by Beth Rodd.
(Yes votes – Beth Rodd, Gary Wall, Dick Keller) (No votes – George Cilley, Peter Fenton, Chris Aiken, Don Jackson) Article does not pass 4-3.
Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative advised a Petition for the Natures Camp was received by the Town Clerk, but has not been received by the Selectmen.
At this time, the Budget Committee will go over the general municipal operation budget. At this time, there is a maximum 1% increase over last year’s budget from this budget committee. Last years budget was one million eight hundred ninety three thousand seventy nine dollars and eighty two cents. ($1,893,079.82). This takes into account the 10% rule which touches all Warrant Articles. Peter Fenton, Selectmen Representative advised the 10% calculation is computed on the total amount recommended by the Budget Committee, which includes Warrant Articles.
Gary Wall requested the Budget Committee reconsider the 1% cap and go back into the budget and go to the Police Budget where the Police Budget had a $35,000 surplus and knock that back by $25,000. Go to the Community Center that spends $14,000 a year on cleaning, knock that back to $7,000.00, go to the Highway Dept. which is 50K over last year and bring that down to $396,000 which would be 50K drop. Treat the Rescue Squad because of the almost emergency situation and needs to be dealt with immediately. Further conversation ensued.
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to reconsider the 1% cap. Seconded by Peter Fenton.
Motion carried 4 – 3. (Yes votes Gary Wall, Peter Fenton, Don Jackson, Chris Aiken) (No votes-George Cilley, Beth Rodd, Dick Keller)
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to drop the 1% cap and revisit the Operating Budget.
Seconded by Peter Fenton. Motion carried 4-3. (Yes votes- Peter Fenton, Chris Aiken, Don Jackson, Gary Wall.) (No- votes Beth Rodd, George Cilley, Dick Keller)
Article 42. Petition for community center building waiting for wording
Budget Committee Public Hearing is scheduled for: Wednesday February 9, 2011 at 7:00pm, and if necessary, the second meeting is scheduled for: Friday, February 11, 2011 at 7:00pm.
These have been posted in the Intertown Record and three places in town.
Motion made, seconded and carried to adjourn 11:05pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary