TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 5, 2013
6:30PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with George Cilley, Beth Rodd, Jon Marden, Don Jackson, Will Hurley, Harry Wright, Selectmen Representative and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Review and Consideration of January 30, 2013 minutes:
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve the January 30, 2013 minutes, seconded by Beth Rodd.
Jon Marden pointed out in the third paragraph, second sentence, should be omitted: Balance on 12/31/2011 was $22,900.99 in the Trust Fund. Motion carried with edits 7-0.
Bond/Note presentations and discussion
Article Five:
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) (gross budget) to repair and rebuild asphalt roads in Bradford and to authorize the issuance of not more than Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33) and to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon, the term and other details. The roads to be repaired include (Old Warner Road, Rowe Mountain Road, Sunset Hill Road, West Road, Greenhouse Lane, Pleasant View and Fairgrounds Road) REVISIT ROAD LIST. Selectmen recommend. 2/3 vote required.
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to recommend the Three Hundred Thousand Dollars for Article Five. Seconded by Don Jackson. Discussion ensued regarding the roads to receive attention.
Board unanimously agreed to table this until Friday prior to the Budget Hearing when Selectmen may have list of roads as well as impact on budget.
Article Four:
To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate One Million Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Dollars ($1,767,000.) (gross budget) to renovate the Bradford Town Hall at Map 16, Lot 92 and to authorize the issuance of not more than One Million Seven Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Dollars ($1,767,000.) of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA Chapter 33) and to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon, the term and other details. Selectmen recommend.
Eileen Kelly, Chair Town Hall Restoration Committee introduced Joe Campbell, North Branch Construction who is the Construction Manager. Eileen handed out sheets showing items by line for the Budget Breakdown as well as Standard Estimate Report provided by North Branch Construction, Inc. Also an overview of what has been done over the past year by the Committee was handed out to the Budget Committee and gone over briefly.
Joe Campbell, North Branch Construction went over the figures briefly from the Budget Breakdown sheets. He also advised they are guaranteeing a maximum price.
Marcia Keller advised she has been in contact with two local banks, and the current interest rate is between 2.1% and 2.2%, depending upon which bank, for a fifteen year bond. This could be set up as a stable or decreasing year to year payment plan. Other methods of obtaining funds discussed were fund raising, grants etc. It was explained that there is a sub-committee all set to begin fund raising as soon as this is voted in at Town Meeting as well as applying for Grants at that time. The tax impact is
$ .71 per thousand, calculated as follows:
A $150.000 assessed home @ $ .71 = $106.00 per year
A $200.000 assessed home @ $ .71 = $142.00 per year
A $250,000 assessed home @ $ .71 = $177.00 per year
Cost factors are continued to be worked on as well as rebates which can be applied for, but there is no guarantee at this time.
The letter regarding the town offices being housed in the Community Center was brought up and Marcia Keller advised she has a copy as well as there being one in the Selectmen’s office which should be available to the public.
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to recommend Article Four at $1,767,000 as written. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried Unanimously 7-0.
2013 Warrant Articles/Operating Budget Score Card:
Dick Keller, Chair handed out sheets with the 2013 Warrant Articles and the Operating Budget Score Card. It was noted that the Gravestone Repair line on the Warrant Articles side has deleted the $2,000.00 originally requested by the Cemetery Commission.
Article Ten: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a four year lease/purchase agreement on a new Police Cruiser and to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy Dollars ($8,770.00) for the first year payment to purchase and outfit with equipment a new all wheel drive police cruiser. Selectmen recommend.
Discussion ensued and it was stated this is a four year lease at a 6.7% interest rate. Savings on gas consumption with a new vehicle was pointed out. Also discussed was putting money into a Capital Reserve account to purchase a new vehicle next year.
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to recommend Article Ten as written. Seconded by George Cilley. Jon Marden voted Nay. Motion carried 6-1.
Article 11: To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the future funding of police cruisers and to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000.00) to fund this reserve. Selectmen recommend.
Motion was made by Jon Marden to move the question to recommend Article Eleven as written. Motion to recommend failed unanimously 7-0.
Article Twelve: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.) to purchase a solar Highway Safety Sign with proceeds from a Highway Safety grant of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.) to offset the cost with Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000.) to be raised by taxation. This will be a non lapsing per RSA 32:7 VI. Selectmen recommend.
Discussion ensued.
Motion was made by Don Jackson to recommend Article Twelve as written. Seconded by George Cilley. Will Hurley, Jon Marden, Beth Rodd voted to not recommend.
Motion carried to recommend 4-3.
Article Fourteen: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Seven Thousand Dollars ($27,000.) for a Vehicle Exhaust Removal System for the Fire House. This will be a non-lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7,VI and continue until the money is used or December 31, 2018. Selectmen recommend.
Motion was made by George Cilley to recommend Article Fourteen as written. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Article Fifteen and Sixteen already voted on.
Article Seventeen: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.) for asphalt road repairs and shimming. Remaining balance on this non lapsing account is $34,071. This article will be used to fund the paving of Fairgrounds Road if the Road Bond (Article 5) is defeated. This will be non lapsing per RSA 32:7,VI and continue until the project is complete or December 31, 2018. Selectmen recommend.
Motion was made by George Cilley to recommend Article Seventeen as written. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion carried Unanimously 7-0.
Articles Eighteen and Article Nineteen: Previously voted on.
#4194 General Buildings – CommunityBuilding:
The Select Board did not recommend at this time and will look at it next year.
Any Other Committee matters in line for discussion:
Article Seven: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a five Year lease/purchase agreement to acquire Bradford Corners Map 2, Lot 102, 103,103-a to be used for town office space for the amount of Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($650,000.). In addition, to vote to raise and appropriate One Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($138,450.00) for the first year payment. This payment would be funded from Thirty One Thousand Dollars ($31,000.) in rents with the remaining One Hundred Seven Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($107,450.00) to be raised by taxation. This lease has a non funding clause. (By Petition)
No one was present related to this petition to ask questions of.
Motion was made by Don Jackson to not recommend Article Seven as written. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion to not recommend carried unanimously 7-0.
Article Eight: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ninety Five Thousand Dollars ($95,000.00) to renovate and move the offices of the Town of Bradford to the Bradford Corners. This will be a non lapsing appropriation per RSA 32:7, VI and will continue until the money is spent or December 31, 2018. This article is contingent upon the passage of Article Seven.
Motion was made by Will Hurley to not recommend Article Eight. Seconded by George.
Motion carried unanimously to not recommend 7-0.
There being no other business to come before the Budget Committee, meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary