TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING
FEBRUARY 9, 2011
7:00PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Gary Wall, Chair called the meeting to order with Don Jackson, George Cilley, Chris Aiken, Jack Meaney, Selectmen Representative for Peter Fenton, and Marge Cilley, Secretary. Beth Rodd and Dick Keller were absent.
There were 9 people attending this Public Hearing.
Review and Consideration of February 1, 2011 Minutes:
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to approve the minutes of February 1, 2011 as written. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 5-0.
Operating Budget :
4130 Executive
Discussion ensued, and Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised cutting the budget, meant it would take 2 ½ hours a week from a part time secretary’s hours.
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to raise the Executive from $121,073.00 to $122,921.00. Seconded by Jack Meaney, Selectman Representative. George Cilley abstained. Motion carried 4-0.
4312 Highway
Discussion regarding the budget increases include Wage increase plus overtime, contract services parts and repairs, salt purchase, rental of equipment. Mark Goldberg advised Jeff Remillard, Road Agent has cleared up the rental of his own equipment to the town as being a good deal. Don Jackson suggested putting the $20,000 back into the budget as the Road Agent is new this year and watch it closely for next year, with a quarterly breakdown.
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to increase the Highway Budget back with the $20,000 to a total of $446,964.00. Seconded by Jack Meaney, Selectmen Representative. Motion carried 5-0.
The above two Departments were the only two with motions for change from the Budget Committee. Discussion, questions and answers were held regarding the other Departments with no changes.
Question was asked by Chris Frey as to where in the income listing is the COPS Grant listed. Jack Meaney, Selectmen Representative advised he will check with Cheryl Behr, Administrator for clarification.
Warrant Articles:
Article 11. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thousand dollars ($100,000.00) for the design of Bridge #161/145 on Breezy Hill Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation until the money is spent or December 31, 2016, whichever occurs first. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Unanimously Recommend. No Public comments.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a seven year lease/purchase agreement for Three Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Nine dollars ($364,739.000) for a grader and backhoe loader for the Highway Department and to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty Thousand and Eighty Five dollars ($60,085.00) for the first year’s payment. This agreement contains a fiscal funding clause (escape clause). Passage of this article will cause Article 13,14,15 16 to be withdrawn and Article 20 to be reduced to Ten Thousand dollars ($10,000.00) Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. 4 no votes, 3 yes votes.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a seven year lease/purchase agreement for Ninety Two Thousand Thirty Four dollars ($92,034.00) for a backhoe loader for the Highway Department and to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixteen Thousand Two Hundred dollars ($16,200.00) for the first year’s payment. This agreement contains a fiscal funding clause (escape clause). Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee recommends. 3 yes votes, 1 abstained.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to enter into a seven year lease/purchase agreement for Two Hundred Seventy Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Five dollars ($272,705.00) for a grader for the Highway Department and to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Three Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Five dollars ($43,885.00) for the first year’s payment. This agreement contains a fiscal funding clause (escape clause). If this article passes article 16 will be withdrawn. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Does Not Recommend. 1 yes vote, 2 No votes, 1 abstained.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate Ninety Two Thousand Thirty Four dollars) ($92,034.00) for the purchase of a backhoe loader for the Highway Department; and to further withdraw Eighty Three Thousand dollars ($83,000.00) from the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve with the remaining Nine Thousand and Thirty Four dollars ($9,034.00) to be raised by taxation. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate Thirty Six Thousand dollars ($36,000.00) for the repair of the Town grader. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 2016 or until the money is expended, whichever occurs first. If Article 12 or Article 14 passes this article will be withdrawn. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Unanimously Recommends.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eleven Thousand dollars ($11,000.00) for dust control. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 2016 or until the money is expended, whichever occurs first. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends. 3 Yes votes 1 No.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand dollars ($24,000) to slip line a culvert on Davis Road. Selectmen recommend unanimously. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Eight Thousand dollars ($48,000.00) to chip seal East Washington Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 2016 or until the money is expended, whichever occurs first. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously.
Article 20: To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to fund the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. If Article 15 is passed this article will be reduced to Ten Thousand dollars ($10,000) Majority Vote required. Selectmen recommend unanimously. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000.00) to purchase a new police cruiser. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) to be placed in the Winter, Salt and Fuel emergency capital reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for Asphalt Road repair and shimming. This is a non lapsing, appropriation and will continue until December 31, 2016 or until used whichever occurs first. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee recommends unanimously.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to be placed in the Bridge Repair Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously.
Question arose whether this should state: Emergency Bridge Repair Capital Reserve.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for the Ambulance Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for the Town Facilities Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the Emergency Repair of Town Buildings Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends unanimously.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand dollars ($20,000) to insulate and perform other maintenance repairs on the town hall. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until December 31, 2016 or until the money is spent whichever occurs first. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously.
The public requested more definition in this wording to state what “other maintenance” is.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) for the Fire Dept Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to be placed in the Communications Capital Reserve Fund. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to fund the revaluation capital reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the Fire Dept Building Repair Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Five thousand dollars ($45,000) to complete the Transportation Enhancement grant for sidewalks received in 2010. Thirty six thousand dollars ($36,000) will be from NH DOT Transportation Enhancement funds (80%) and the remaining Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000.00) (20%) will come from Fund Balance. No money will be raised by taxation. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) to be deposited in the Main Street Sidewalk Improvements Capital Reserve. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the Gravestone Repair Expendable Trust. Majority Vote required. Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously.
Article 37. To see if the municipality will vote to discontinue the New Highway Garage Capital Reserve created in 2002. Said funds, with accumulated interest to date of withdrawal, are to be transferred to the municipality’s general fund. (Majority Vote required). Selectmen unanimously recommend. Budget Committee Recommends. 6 Yes votes – 1 No vote.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,750.00). for the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports. Majority Vote required. Selectmen recommend – two yes votes and one abstain. Budget Committee Recommend Unanimously.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) for the Milfoil project at the Town Boat launch. Majority Vote required. Selectmen Recommend. Budget Committee Recommends Unanimously.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to reinstate the BACC Director position to full time, as had been previously voted by the Town, inclusive of Parks and Recreation activities, and increase the budget by $31,845 to cover nine months of additional wages and employee benefits for the reinstated position. This article will be designated a special warrant article for this warrant. BY PETITION Board of Selectmen unanimously does not recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend. 3 Yes votes, 4 No votes.
There being no other input from the public, the Public Hearing is concluded.
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to accept the MS7 as amended for the 2011 Budget. Jack Meaney, Selectmen Representative seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
The Budget Committee signed the budget.
There will be no requirement of a follow up Public Hearing for Friday evening February 11, 2011.
Motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn at 9:10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary