Town of Bradford
Budget Hearing
February 13, 2009
7:00pm
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Jack Meaney, Acting Chair called the February 13, 2009 meeting to order at 7:03pm with Chris Aiken, Marlene Freyler, Andrew Pinard, Selectman Representative, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, and Marge Cilley, Secretary present. Absent were: Gary Wall, excused, Robert Stewart, illness, and Jane Lucas.
Jack Meaney, Acting Chair read the Warrant Articles and asked for questions, comments or any discussion after each line item.
Article 5.
- 1. Executive 107,833.00
- 2. Elections and Vital records 4,550.00
- 3. Financial Administration 83,401.00
- 4. Revaluations 19,950.00
- 5. Legal 15,000.00
- 6. Employee Benefits-excludes elected officials 243,924.00
- 7. Planning and Zoning 20,800.00
- 8. General Government Buildings 42,732.00
- 9. Cemetery 18,310.00
- 10. Insurance 62,292.00
- 11. Other General Government 12,090.00
- 12. Police Department 287,005.00
- 13. Fire department 92,000.00
- 14. Rescue Services 82,320.00
- 15. Building Code Department 14,650.00
- 16. Emergency Management 500.00
- 17. Highway Department 372,495.00
- 18. Bridge Maintenance 100.00
- 19. Street Lighting 4,100.00
- 20. Solid Waste Collection 50,877.00
- 21. Solid Waste Disposal 56,600.00
- 22. Inoculations 800.00
- 23. Welfare Administration 4,012.00
- 24. Welfare Vendor and Direct Payments 43,350.00
- 25. Parks and Recreation 4,380.00
- 26. Library 62,525.00
- 27. Patriotic Purposes 14,500.00
- 28. Community Center 77,830.00
- 29. Other Conservation 750.00
- 30. Long Term Debt payments 18,000.00
- 31. Interest on T.A.N. 3,000.00
Total $ 1,820,676.00
Question was asked about #24 by Ann Eldridge as to what Welfare Vendor and Direct Payments is actually for. The reply was that this is for payments to vendors, (fuel assistance, VNA, electric etc) for welfare recipients, and the amount is for requested assistance.
Article 6. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred
Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000) to build a salt shed for the Highway Department Facility. This will be a non lapsing appropriation to continue until the money is spent or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Question was asked as to why the Budget Committee did not recommend to which Jack Meany replied that there was no formal quote presented, and they felt a salt shed could be put up for less money. Andrew Pinard advised Charles Meany used an actual design scaled down, and got actual numbers for the cost of material, and actual numbers for the concrete. Debate ensued.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000) for the purchase and installation of a new air quality system for the Bradford Highway Garage. This will be funded from surplus and no additional money will be raised by taxation. Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee recommends.
No questions asked.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to establish a Non-Capital Reserve Fund under the provisions of RSA 35:1-c for the purpose of offsetting expenses associated with unexpected increases in the costs of petroleum-related products and winter road salt, and to fund from surplus the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) to be placed in this fund, and further to appoint the board of selectmen as agents to expend from this fund. No money to be raised by taxation. Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee recommends.
No questions asked.
Article 9 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Four Thousand Dollars ($24,000) to re-roof the Bement Covered Bridge with a metal standing seam roofing material. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and continue until the money is spent or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee recommends.
No questions asked.
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) to fund the Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve.
Selectmen Recommended. Budget Committee recommends.
No questions asked.
Article 11. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000) for Road Sealant. This is a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until the money is expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen Recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
No questions asked.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thirty Three Thousand Dollars ($133,000) to repair and resurface Sunset Hill Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation to continue until the money is expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Question asked by George Cilley as to why the Budget Committee does not recommend. Chris Aiken advised they would grind the existing surface leaving it like a dirt road. Andrew Pinard advised that the Selectmen had put if off one year before.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Ninety Five Thousand dollars ($595,000) for the design and construction of Bridge #098-114 on West Road. This project is under the municipal managed bridge project with the State of NH. Five hundred Twenty Thousand dollars ($520,000) will come from the State of NH and the remaining Seventy Five Thousand dollars to be raised by taxation. The town has already raised $55,000 for this project for a total construction cost of Six Hundred and Fifty thousand dollars ($650,000). This will be a non lapsing appropriation until the funds are expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommend.
Motion was made by Chris Aiken to recommend Article 13 as written. Seconded by Marlene Freyler. Carried 4-0. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand dollars ($10,000) to evaluate and repair the deck on Bridge #098/117on West Meadow Road. This will be a non lapsing appropriation and continue until the funds are expended or December 31, 2014. Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand One Hundred Seventy Two Dollars ($10,172) for the first year of a four year lease to purchase and outfit a four wheel drive police vehicle, for a total of $40,688 for lease. The total amount of the vehicle is Thirty Six Thousand Nine Hundred Forty One Dollars ($36,941). Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to change the purpose and title of the existing New Police Facility Capital Reserve Fund to the Police Facility Updating and Renovation Fund. Two thirds vote required.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Thousand Dollars ($9,000) to purchase and install a fence around the Fire Pond located on property owned by Karen and Christopher Way at Map 17, Lot 19. This is a non lapsing appropriation and will continue until the money is used or by December 31, 2014. Selectmen Recommend. Budget Committee recommends
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for the Ambulance Capital Reserve. Selectmen Recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 19. Shall we rescind the provisions of RSA 31:95-c to restrict 100% of the revenues from ambulance transportation to the expenditures of the purpose of operating the Bradford Rescue Squad, including salaries and new equipment? Paper Ballot required. Majority vote.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to establish a revolving fund pursuant to RSA 31:95-h, for the purpose of ambulance services, including salaries and new equipment. All revenues received for ambulance services will be deposited into the fund, and the money in the fund shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year, and shall not be considered part of the town’s general fund unreserved fund balance. The town treasurer shall have custody of all moneys in the fund, and shall pay out the same only upon order of the governing body and no further approval is required by the legislative body to expend. Such funds may be expended only for purposes for which the fund was created.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Town Facilities Capital Reserve. Selectmen Recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to withdraw Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.) from the Town Facilities Capital Reserve to design a new front handicap entrance and Drive for the Bradford Town Hall. Selectmen recommended. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Discussion ensued from the floor regarding the need for new front steps to the front door of the Town Hall.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Repair of Town Buildings Capital Reserve. Selectmen Recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) for the Fire Dept. Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the Fire Dept. Building Repair Capital Reserve. Selectmen Recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for the Gravestone Repair Expendable Trust. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($2,750) for the Bradford Newbury Sutton Youth Sports. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Conversation ensued regarding supporting the Bradford, Newbury, Sutton Youth Sports and keeping the youth here in town for the programs.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000) for the monitoring of the Boat launch. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Conversation ensued from the floor.
Article 29. To raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) for the Revaluation Capital Reserve. Selectmen recommend. Budget Committee recommends.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $96,000 (ninety six thousand dollars) for the purpose of contributing to the purchase of a conservation easement and associated expenses on a portion of the Battles Farm (Map 6, Lots 96 and 46). Said land is located at the intersection of Center Road and Jewett Road. The purpose of this easement will be to protect valuable agricultural and forest land, wild life habitat, wetland and flood control areas. This vote authorizes the Town of Bradford to accept a back-up executory interest in said conservation easement. Submitted by petition. Selectmen do not recommend. Budget Committee does not recommend.
Ann Eldridge advised this has been in the works for some time now, and the appraisal was just received on January 30, 2009. Brooks McCandlish advised this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Total cost of this easement is in excess of $400,000.
Jack Meaney, Acting Chair advised these are the total Articles in the Warrant for Town Meeting per purview of the Budget Committee.
Meeting adjourned at 8:04pm to be continued on February 17, 2009 at 7:00pm.
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary