TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 16, 2014
6:30pm
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair opened the meeting with George Cilley, Jon Marden, Sue Reynolds Don Jackson, and Marge Cilley, Secretary present. Absent were: John Pfeifle, Selectmen, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Will Hurley.
This is first Quarterly Review Meeting:
Review and Consideration of February 12, 2014 Minutes:
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve the February 12, 2014 minutes as presented. Seconded by Don Jackson. Sue Reynolds was not at that meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
Review of Town Meeting:
George Cilley brought up the comment from John Pfeifle, Selectmen that the Budget Committee is responsible for the projected shortfall in the budget because the voters voted not to increase the budget. This being basically in the Highway Budget because of this winter requiring more salt and overtime. Discussion continued regarding funds from the sale of the Highway truck with part of the funds being returned to the Election and remaining to the Highway budget. Jon Marden questioned in the MS7, for income, there was $5,000 as revenue, wasn’t that from the sale of the truck, so in reality, the sale increased the budget by $4,100.00, not $9,100.00.
Jon Marden advised he had received complimentary telephone calls after Town Meeting for how it was handled. Don Jackson also had favorable reports, as did George Cilley, with several different people making favorable comments to them. Sue Reynolds also commented on the Town Meeting as being well done this year. Mention was made that no one heard any disapproving remarks regarding venue, parking, but all good comments.
Sue Reynolds suggested the Town look into “Our Town Energy Alliance” (OTE) for better fuel prices for comparison from current source, which will be brought up to the Selectmen.
Election of Officers:
Motion was made by George Cilley to elect Dick Keller as Chair of the Budget Committee for 2014… Sue Reynolds seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Dick Keller abstained.
Motion was made by Don Jackson to elect Jon Marden as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee for 2014. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried unanimously.
CIP issue and appointment of Committee Member to serve:
Motion was made to appoint Don Jackson as the Budget Committee representative to be a member of the 2014 CIP Committee. Motion seconded by Jon Marden and carried unanimously.
Don Jackson questioned if the Budget Committee should suggest a range/average for the town to be considering for the CIP. This will
be worked on and brought up again in an upcoming meeting.
Road Committee:
Much discussion ensued regarding the Road Committee and the need for same. Suggestion was made to contact other towns to see what and how they are doing it as well as with the State. The computer program was also discussed with several ideas of how to utilize it.
Budget Schedule for 2015:
Dick Keller, Chair handed out Budget projection time line for member’s perusal in order to forward to the Selectmen for their approval. One change mentioned was the Jan 21 date for all Warrants that appropriate money be submitted to the Budget Committee for review and recommendation be changed to January 7th request date.
Also suggested change was for the approved Department Budgets be completed by the Selectmen and forward to the Budget Committee by November 1, allowing the Budget Committee to interview Department Heads if needed. Final Budget target date be set for December 3rd..
MS-7 has to be signed by 2/19/15.
Revenue needs to be projected and date mentioned was by December.
Other Business:
The following are questions the committee has.:
1. Computer – Administration office – encumbrance last year-spent this year,
Equipment Purchase #4130-7401 for $10,050.
2. Blasting – Gateway Highway #4312-3912 for $1139.00.
3. Treasurer – State of New Hampshire- Different Departments listed.
4. Invoices from Ayer & Goss – Which buildings received what amount?
5. Scully Architect – Escrow Account for this?
Next meeting is scheduled for: WEDNESDAY JULY 30, 2014 6:30PM
There being no other business to come before the board, meeting adjourned 8:50pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley