TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 1, 2011
6:00PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair opened the meeting at the Community Center at 6:00pm with Gary Wall, George Cilley, Jon Marden, Beth Rodd, Jack Meaney, Selectmen’s Representative and Marge Cilley, Secretary. Don Jackson was absent.
Review and Consideration of November 17, 2011 minutes:
Motion was made by Gary Wall to approve minutes of November 17, 2011. Seconded by Jon Marden.
Correction on page one stating total on Motion should be 5-0, not 6-0.
Motion carried with amendment 4-0. Jack Meaney abstained; Beth Rodd had not appeared at this time.
It was suggested by Jon Marden that a policy be set, that when a Budget Committee member has received some correspondence from the Secretary via e-mail, they respond. The Secretary will set up a notice when sending. Board members agreed to this unanimously.
Budgets:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator had prepared an Expense report through October 30, 2011, showing Department Requests and Selectmen Approval for 2012 Budget. This was gone over line by line item where ever required.
Acct. # Title Selectmen Approved
4130 Executive 117,953.28
Jon Marden questioned the extra pay week and what % to wages if they sell back their vacation week. Should this be under Benefits. A 3.6% increase for employees was discussed for this year, across the board. Transfer of funds questioned.
4140 Election 9,689.00
4150 Financial Administration
No report
4152 Revaluation of Property 25,555.00
Discussion regarding Maps and if they are required every year. Contract Services discussed.
4153 Legal 15,000.00
4155 Employee Benefits
No decisions yet on employee Health Insurance. Right now coverage is the same with a 13% increase. LGC gave the Selectmen a breakdown.
4191 Planning & Zoning
Waiting for Zoning
4194 Gen Govt Bldgs
Town Hall will be locked down the end of Dec. per Jack Meaney.
4195 Cemetery
Bids & contracts will be forthcoming.
4196 Insurances 81,000.00
4199 Other General Govt
Waiting for Massasecum Lake Association
4210 Police Department 312,601.67
Topics discussed were: Jackets, telephone lines, Internet, Secretary’s salary resulting from Cops Grant new hire last year. Ed Shaughnessy will check on Secretary’s salary. Also SOU bill is not in yet, but will be paid out from this years budget. Trying to stay a year ahead on supplies per Ed Shaughnessy. Protective vests are $750.00 each with a 5 year life. Part time hours were estimated to be around 480 to 600 hours per employee. Cops Grant should be around $50,000 payment per year to the town.
4220 Fire Dept 59,250.00
4225 Rescue Squad
Nothing in as yet.
4240 ` Building Dept.
Holding for RFP on Sanborn House
4290 Civil Defense 250.00
4312 Highway Dept 515,224.50
Up 15% from 2011 – Gasoline increased 100% questioned.
4313 Bridges 500.00
4316 Street lighting 4,700.00
Should the program to shut off lights at 12:00pm be checked for incentive was questioned.
4323 Solid Waste Collection
Nothing in writing – verbal
4324 Solid Waste Disposal 39,500.00
4415 Inoculations 250.00
4441 Welfare
Nothing as yet
4520 Parks & Rec
Nothing received as yet
4550 Library 63,360.00
4583 Patriotic Purposes
No budget in yet
4589 Community Center 42,700.00
Director’s salary gone.
Internet service was in building prior to town offices moving there,
4619 Other Conservation 790.00
4711 Long Term Notes 31,880.00
For Highway Garage
4723 Interest on TAN 3,000.00
It was decided by the board to invite the Road Agent, Jeff Remillard and the Welfare Representative, Cheryl Frey to come into the next Budget Committee Meeting and Cheryl Behr, Administrator will be asked to let them know.
Discussion ensued regarding the Insurance coverage and the Selectmen would need to contact LGC by January 2, 2012 for a February change if there would be any.
Jon Marden received a letter via e-mail from Cheryl Behr, Administrator stating what she can and cannot due in a timely manner and requesting one person be representative from the board to inquire for information. It was decided that Dick Keller, Chair will be the contact person.
Motion was made by Gary Wall to identify across the line percentage of Annual Global Rates of pay raises from 2007 forward. Jon Marden will check on this, if there is any question, Cheryl Behr, Administrator will be contacted. Jon Marden seconded. Motion carried 6-0.
Dick Keller, Chair opened the floor for Public Input.
There being none, Public Input was closed. Jack Meaney, Selectmen Representative stated the Selectmen would probably not do any Budgets at their next meeting due to an already busy agenda.
- Jon Marden to check % of wages for week if the employee takes money rather than vacation. Should that be considered employee benefit?
- Jon will check to see if he can garner from materials already in possession the Annual Global Rates of pay raises from 2007 forward for town employees.
- Jon will check with Dave Currier regarding Lake Massasecum Association and the milfoil plan projection.
Next Meeting is scheduled for:
December 15, 2011 at 6:00pm at the Community Center.
Meeting Adjourned 7:40pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary