BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES 2.13.17
TOWN OF BRADFORD
Meeting called to order at 6:35pm by Beth Downs.
Members Present: Beth Downs, Chair; Dick Keller; Chris Mock; Kathy Rodgers; Dave Nunnally; John Pfeifle, Selectman; Michael James; Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, Sonny Harris, Selectman; Jim Bibbo, Selectman
Review and Consideration of Minutes
Minutes for January 30, 2017 were approved with no correction. Vote 7-0
Water Street Bridge Update: John informed the Committee that the Selectmen had signed a contract with Cold River Bridges and that the bridge repair will be completed by April 1, 2017. The expected bridge expense will be approximately $75,000, which is $10,000 more than originally thought. The Budget Committee suggested part of the additional funds be reallocated from the Contingency fund to the Bridge Repair line of the Operating Budget. Since all Selectmen were in attendance, John motioned, Sonny seconded and the Selectmen voted 3-0 to reduce the Contingency Fund allocation to zero and to add $5,000 to the Bridge Repair line in the Operating Budget. The Budget Committee followed suit. Dave motioned to reduce the Contingency Fund allocation to zero and add $5,000 to the Bridge Repair line in the Operating Budget, Beth Seconded, vote 7-0 in favor.
Town Hall Bond: Brackett Scheffy informed the Committee that there has been an adjustment in the amount needed to be raised by the bond. One of the bids had been submitted with an incorrect amount, thus, once corrected, reduced the overall budget needed by $75,000. This reduces the total needed for the proposed scope of renovation on Town Hall to from $936,000 to $861,000.00. $186,000.00 has been raised by a grant and donations leaving the total needed to be raised by the bond as $675,000.00. Dick motioned to approve this new lower amount, seconded by Kathy with a vote of 7-0 in favor.
Library Furnace: The Library received the furnace pricing and is asking the Town for $5,000 instead of the $9,000 that was expected. Dave made a motion to recommend that $5,000 be raised for the Library furnace replacement. Kathy seconded, vote 7-0 in favor.
Historical Society well: The Historical Society has withdrawn their $9,500 request for a new well and will wait till next year. They would like it noted that they hope that this will focus more financial energy toward the bond for Town Hall.
Scholarship Fund: Mike made a motion to recommend $1,000.00 be placed in the Scholarship Trust fund, John seconded, vote 7-0 in favor.
Revaluation: Dave motioned to eliminate this $5000 warrant article as the Selectmen had done. Beth seconded, vote 7-0 in favor.
Community Center: Dave made a motion to recommend funding the Community Center operating budget at $21,000 instead of $21,500, John seconded, vote in favor was 6-1.
Bement Bridge: The estimate for a complete repair of the bridge is approximately $500,000 over the $772,000 previously expected. C.R. Willeke from the NH State Dept of Transportation feels it is extremely likely that the increase will qualify for the State Bridge aid program. This means the Town will only be responsible for 20% of the additional funds, or approximately $102,000. In their meeting prior to this one, the Selectmen voted 3-0 to raise $50,000 for the additional cost of the Bement Bridge Repair. After much discussion, the Budget Committee did not recommend this article. Instead, Dave motioned that the Budget Committee support raising $20,000 to be placed in Bridge Repair Trust Fund, Mike seconded, vote 5-1 in favor with 1 abstention. The warrant article will appear as the Select Board voted.
The next Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday February 16, 2017 at 6:30 at the Public Hearing.
As there was no further business to come before the Committee, meeting adjourned at 7:37pm.
Minutes submitted by Molly Hopkins.