Joint meeting with the Select Board.
Present: Jen Richardson (Chair), Kim Firth (Vice Chair), Justin Dohrn, Tim McKenna, Dawn Gezelman, Beth Downs (Select Board Representative), Marlene Freyler (Select Board), Chip Meany (Select Board).
Absent: Laurie Colburn
Also attending: Karen Hambleton, Town Administrator, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary
Meeting called to order at 6:37 pm
New Business: None
Old Business:
Old Business:
Review minutes from November 21, 2024 meeting
Motion: Beth Downs moved to approve the minutes of the November 21, 2024 meeting as written.
Discussion: Kim Firth made a correction to the minutes saying that Laurie and Kim (not Tim as stated in the minutes) will arrange a information session with KRSD Superintendent and a representative of a NH-based education advocacy organization.
Motion: Beth Downs moved to approve the minutes as amended.
Second: Justin Dohrn
Decision: 6-0, all in favor
School Board Meeting Update: Kim reported that the superintendent is enthusiastic about talking to Bradford voters. Kim and Laurie are putting together a meeting that includes KRSD superintendent and a member of a NH-based education advocacy group.
Highway Cost Analysis – leasing, renting, purchasing equipment: Dawn Gezelman and Steve Hall presented expenses for Truck #6 (2008) and backhoe (2011). Also presented were lease-to-purchase quotes for a backhoe. There was a wide-ranging discussion involving Committee members and the audience regarding the advantages and disadvantages of leasing vs. buying large highway equipment. No decision was made at this time.
Economic Development – update on funding request: This request has been moved to the Select Board budget and is pending a decision by the Select Board about the administration of the funds.
Election – Clarification of Supervisors laptop request. Kathleen Bigford reported that in a conversation with Tom Marshall, he expressed that the Supervisors are okay for now and will research future needs. The $500 request was withdrawn.
Heating Fuel: The Budget Committee recommended that heating fuel be budgeted by building. Usage by building is used to estimate the total fuel contract each year. Karen reported that heating fuel usage records are kept for each building and are readily available. The Committee agreed that keeping this expense on one line item is best.
Landscaping Question, One Account? The Committee questioned the need for two separate landscaping lines in the budget: one for the Town and one for cemeteries. After discussion Beth responded that the Select Board will consider placing one contract out for bid for all of the landscaping and she will report back on January 16th.
Building Department – Permits and revenue: Karen reported the number of permits and amount of revenue collected by the Building Department and noted that it has increased.
Survey Results: Kim will report the Budget Committee survey results at the December 16th Select Board meeting.
Budget Review: No recommendations were made at this time. Jen spoke to the transparency needed to ensure department heads that their submissions and any changes are represented correctly.
Town Meeting Presentation: Committee members agreed that a presentation to voters at town meeting was successful in 2024 and they plan to make one in 2025. A discussion was had about more than one member taking part in the presentation.
Ed Shaughnessy presented some amendments to the Police Department budget that decreased the budget request by about $2,000.
For the next agenda:
Highway Cost Analysis – leasing, renting, purchasing equipment
Economic Development – update on funding request
Landscaping Question, One Account?
Budget Committee Survey Results
Budget Review
Town Meeting Presentation
Adjourn:
Motion: Beth Downs moved to adjourn the meeting.
Second: Justin Dohrn
Decision: 6-0, all in favor
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Next meeting of the Budget Committee will be January 16 at 6:30 in the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Bigford, Recording Secretary