TOWN OF BRADFORD
Budget Committee Meeting Minutes
October 21, 2015
6:30pm
Call to Order and Roll Call:
George Cilley, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with Dick Keller, Don Jackson, Chris Mock, Beth Downs, John Pfeifle, Selectmen’s Representative, Cheryl Behr and Marge Cilley, Secretary present. Kathy Rodgers was absent.
Review and Consideration of July 29, 2015 Minutes:
Motion was made by Dick Keller to approve the minutes as presented. Beth Downs seconded. Secretary corrected the day of the next meeting to Wednesday. Motion carried unanimously with edit.
The Board agreed to receive the presentation by Jim Bibbo of the CIP.
CIP Presentation by Jim Bibbo:
Jim Bibbo, Chair Planning Board gave a synopsis of the CIP report by going over each individual department. Jim advised the final draft is not in from Concord at this time.
Jim also advised the CIP is used as a guide. The tax rate from the CIP proposal for 2016 is estimated at $1.59.
Jim was thanked for his report of the CIP.
Review Third Quarter Expense Report:
The Expense Report was gone over with a few accounts discussed, including Account
#4130 Executive Part Time wages at (5.27)% left at ($529.20) was questioned and Cheryl Behr advised there are now two full time employees and one part time in the
Town Office.
#4153 Legal with a remaining percent for the year at (117.10)% or ($23,421.76) with one more quarter for the year. It was suggested by Selectman John Pfeifle that more money should be budgeted in 2016 as the legal aspect will continue with PSNH.
#4210 Police Department is doing well with 33.23% left in their budget. It was also stated that the 3rd full time police employee is on board now.
#4225 Rescue Squad – John Pfeifle advised that the Contract Services with the Town of Henniker has been working well and the $68,000 anticipated annual bill came in at $64,000.00.
The Selectmen are continuing to work with other surrounding towns to join forces in several different departments per John Pfeifle.
#4312 Highway 27.65% remaining at $139,646.23. John Pfeifle stated that Barry Wheeler, Road Agent has done a great job in the highway department and Old Warner Road, and West Main Street were worked on this summer.
#4313 Bridges The Bridge from Route 114 to Breezy Hill (Pond Bridge) is complete for a total of $18,000.00
The next bridge in line for repair/replacement listed by the State of NH is West Meadow Road.
#4583 Patriotic Purposes (33.40)% with ($4,676.78) overspent. This was caused from the expenses from Parade, Fireworks and Police Detail.
The total amount for payments for expenses for the 4th quarter is 27.28% of the total budget or $541,172.20
George Cilley, Chair asked for an explanation of the statement in the Selectmen’s Minutes regarding revenues being down approximately $100,000.00 for this year. John Pfeifle advised the Police Grant Funds that the Town received for three years has ceased this year, however we still need to employee the 3rd fulltime policeman. Explanation follows:
N.H. COPS Police Support ended $42,000.00
Registrations down $20,000.00
Timber Tax receipts down
Current Use receipts down
Warrant Articles for 2016 were reviewed:
A list of future 2016 Warrant Articles was handed out by Cheryl Behr with 2015 also showing for comparisons. This was discussed briefly.
Review of Budget Committee Time Line:
Discussion regarding the presented time line ensued with the decision to continue to follow it. The Budget Committee will meet on Nov. 11 to discuss Budget, with individual Department Heads to attend the Budget Committee for review of their requests beginning November 18, 2015, to be continued weekly until completed.
Any Other Budget Committee Business:
There was a Municipal Board Training Session which Kathy Rodgers, as a member of the Budget Committee, had signed up for, but did not attend. Cheryl Behr advised the town did get charged for that. Karen Hambleton suggested there is another training session in Bartlett which Kathy could attend, and she had forwarded her an e-mail so explaining.
George Cilley, Chair brought up the request for $10,500 for Bradford’s share for Community Action Program for the continuation of services to the low income residents of Bradford. This is a $1500.00 increase this year.
Other forms and information given to the Budget Committee Members included:
Tax Rate Breakdown for 2015 from NH Dept. of Revenue Administration.
Pictures of Water Street Bridge No. 126/150 from Kleinfeder dated October 13, 2015.
A letter from the Selectmen with explanation of 2015 tax bill.
Cheryl Behr advised Tax Bills were mailed today.
Date of Next Meeting Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Motion made, seconded and carried to adjourn.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary