TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES
DECEMBER 19, 2012
6:30PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:30pm with Will Hurley, George Cilley, Jon Marden, Don Jackson, Harry Wright, Selectmen Representative, Beth Rodd and Marge Cilley Secretary present.
Review and Consideration of December 12, 2012 minutes:
Motion was made by George Cilley to accept the December 12, 2012 minutes as presented. Seconded by Don Jackson. Beth Rodd abstained. Carried 6-0.
Budget Interviews with Departments:
Bea Howe, Library discussed the Library Budget.
Basic Library Budget includes Salaries, Supplies, Utilities and portion of the book budget. The increase this year is for salaries at 2.0% which is $1250.00, broken down into $400.00 for Children’s Librarian and $850.00 for remainder employees at 2.0%.
Bea Howe wanted to correct a misconception, that being they did not hire a new Children’s Librarian, but added a position of Children’s Librarian and filled it with an assistant librarian who is already on the payroll and works six hours a week. More discussion took place. Bea did suggest the library will need a new roof in probably 5 years as the shingles that were put on are defective. Class Action Suite was discussed.
Fire Chief Mark Goldberg discussed the Fire Department budget.
Software at $700.00 was explained by Jon Marden that each department was going to be responsible for their own budget and manage it through the course of the year. Each department knows what their own needs are. Contract Service Dispatch having gone up from $17,000 to $18,200. Reason is much of it is preparation to switch over to narrow banding, but also includes Hazmat Team training, which takes place every couple of years or so. Training amount is up and once individual has graduated, they are reimbursed. Building-maintenance – some major repair is needed: attic vent gone, rotted and needs replacing – trim needs staining requiring a lift – siding has holes in it.
Also the furnace will need to be replaced soon. Also discussed were scrubbers, flow test (filters) and air compressor which need to be addressed. There is no fund raising being done now.
Warrant Articles with priorities were discussed at $40,000 to replace tanker, as in 2014, it will be 30 years old per Chris Frey. Things being needed are generator for $39,690.00 – washer dryer for $19,950.00 which may include tank, pumping station, installation – scrubbers for which they are in violation now for not having.
Question was asked of who puts Warrants on Town Report? It was suggested that the Department Heads put in writing and give to the Selectmen’s office. February 5th is the last day of Warrant Articles to be in.
Rescue Squad – Laurie Brown advised the Rescue Squad Budget is the same as last year. The billing of insurances was discussed, and Cheryl Behr advised it was about $5,000 last year that was not collected.
Budgets Approved by Selectmen since last Budget Committee Meeting:
The Selectmen have not approved any budgets this week. Discussion regarding the amount the Selectmen approved on Elections was $4510.00.
Discussion and Vote on Budgets:
#4191 Planning and Zoning $8,100.00
Motion was made by Jon Marden to approve. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 7-0.
#4194 Gen. Govt. Bldgs. $38,863.00
Motion was made by Don Jackson to approve. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried 7-0.
#4195 Cemetery $25,275.00
Motion was made by Jon Marden to approve. Seconded by Will Hurley. Motion carried 7-0.
#4210 Police Department $314,252.00
Motion to approve made by Jon Marden. Beth Rodd Seconded. SOU discussion ensued. Hold on this and request Police Chief come in for discussion on this subject only.
Much discussion ensued regarding changing the pay/salary increases from April first, after Town Meeting to become effective January 1, 2013. Cheryl Behr advised the Selectmen make the final decisions in running the town, and if the voters want to vote against the pay raises, they it will be taken out of somewhere else in the budget. Jon Marden stated that this is still a contract situation, and the Budget Committee just never seems to be consulted in advance of contract negotiations. This is given after the fact, it is bottom line, contracts are signed and some other line suffers. Health Insurance was also discussed.
#4312 Highway Department $384,230.00
Motion was made by John Marden to approve the motion. Seconded by George Cilley. It was stated that this budget was reduced by chains & blades, salt and tires. Staffing consisted of Working Road Agent plus three full time workers. Harry Wright, Selectmen’s Representative abstained. Don Jackson Opposed Motion carried 5-1.
#4323 Solid Waste Collection $58,157.00
Motion to approve made by George Cilley. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried 7-0.
#4324 Solid Waste Disposal $40,100.00
Motion to approve made by Will Hurley. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried 7-0.
#4445 Welfare Payment $32,843.00
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve. Seconded by Don Jackson. Motion carried 7-0.
#4619 Other Conservation $800.00
Motion was made by Will Hurley to approve. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried 7-0.
Trail Development was discussed, and there is a student who would like to make the Tillie Wheeler trail update a Senior Project.
Discussion on #4589 – Community Center. $30,745.00 $9,500.00 in this year’s budget is for painting, small repairs per Cheryl Behr.
Some of the problems at the Community Center were discussed including painting, door handles, hole in ceiling of the Senior Room, lighting as well as painting outside. Cheryl Behr advised a structural engineer has been contacted for advice. It was stated that structural issues should come from outside the department budget.
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to approve the Community Center
Budget. Seconded by Will Hurley. Motion carried 7-0.
Discussion on #4240 – Building Dept.
Much discussion ensued regarding the Building Department and how it is currently being handled and how it could be handled using other towns as an example.
This was put on hold for now.
Bond Issue regarding the Highway Bond Issue was discussed at $607,000 for 5 years.
Cheryl Behr reiterated that a Bond Issue can be changed at Town Meeting per notification from Atty. H. Bernie Waugh.
Time Lines Mentioned:
January 11th First day to hold Public Hearing on bond or note issues over $100.000.
February 8th is the date for the first Public Hearing on annual budget
February 25th Last day to hold Public Hearing on bond or note issues.
It was advised that the anticipated Road Bond for $607,000 does include
Fairgrounds Road.
Next meeting is scheduled for: January 3, 2013 at 6:30pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary
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