Budget Committee Draft Minutes
January 23, 2020
Members – Marlene Freyler (Chair), Mark Fournier (Vice Chair), Jason Allen (Select Board Rep), Claire James, Justin Dohrn, Cheryl Croto, and Town Administrator Karen Hambleton were in attendance.
Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 6:33pm.
The Committee observed a moment of silence mourning the death of John Pfeifle and extended condolences to his family.
Receipt of Correspondence:
- The Committee reviewed the minutes from the January 9th, 2020 meeting.
Motion: Claire James motioned to approve the minutes.
Second: Justin Dohrn
Decision: 6-0 in favor.
Review of Budget and Expenditures:
- The Committee reviewed each budget line and made final recommendations on budget amounts for 2020. Steve Hall, Ed Shaughnessy, Mark and Carl Goldberg along with Rob Steiz? attended the meeting to provide answers to any Committee questions. Key discussion points were:
a. A report from a recent mechanical inspection was provided to the Committee. The Fire Department members as well as the Road Agent outlined concern with the reports stating the inspections were visual in nature and should not be the basis for decisions without further discussion and interaction.
b. Concerns were raised that the budget is increasing by 6% after a 6% increase in 2019. The increases seen are primarily a reflection of annual increases in employee related costs such as insurance. The Town is working towards saving money via the Capital Improvement Plan in order to avoid any interest payments from borrowing funds which requires higher savings now to cover costs. Claire would like to see what options exist to increase the return on Town savings.
c. Mark Goldberg requested an increase of $500 for account 3901 (labor to move trucks), and $1,000 for repair & maint account 3303 for inspections plus $12,000 to replace tires identified by the equipment inspection. Mark reiterate truck has to be replaced, NFPA says 25 years “should” be replaced. It takes approximately 1 year to procure and upfit a new pumper. Existing truck is 26 years old. Mark Fournier asked whether fixing the 13 items identified in the inspection would expand the amount of time needed before the pumper is replaced, Mark and Carl Goldberg responded with an emphatic no. Steve had some reservations as well with the validity of the inspections. Inspection did not include anything beyond a visual inspection. Significant conversation around the Warrant amount for the purchase of a new pumper.
d. There was discussion concerning the Highway Department budget requested which would increase by $55,000 if approved as requested. Steve expects 2019 to come in pretty close to the budget amount of $520,000. Claire asked Jason about SB budget. Looked at last year, recognized gravel increase, putting a good amount for road and bridge construction in the Warrant. He feels between general budget and Warrant there will be enough money. Equipment maintenance costs went from $48,000 to $60,000 in 2019, the Board plans to have a Warrant Article to cover those expense increases rather than carrying the cost in the budget. Jason feels the department did a good job in 2019 and remained within the budge. Steve says the Town should expect the gravel and sand/salt lines to increase significantly, by $100,000, in coming years. Trying to build the increases in over time. Steve outlined large increases are for salt, gravel and equipment repairs, he will manage within whatever amount the budget is.
Account Description Budget Committee Recommendation Motion/Second/Vote
Executive $185,000.00 Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Election, Registration & Vital Statistic $10,385.50 Mark Fournier/ Justin Dohrn vote 6-0
Financial Administration $105,000.00 Mark Fournier/ Jason Allen vote 6-0
Revaluation of Property $22,500.00 Claire James/Jason Allen vote 6-0
Legal $35,000.00 Marlene Freyler/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Employee Benefits $1.00 Jason Allen/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Planning & Zoning $10,000.00 Jason Allen/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Gen Govt Bldgs $85,000.00 Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler 6-0
Cemetery $25,000.00 Jason Allen/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Insurances $75,500.00 Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Other General Govt $7,700.00 Jason Allen/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Police Dept $505,000.00 Jason Allen/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Fire Dept $141,995.00 Mark Fournier/ Marlene Freyler vote 5-0, Jason abstained
Rescue Squad $11,280.00 Jason Allen/Claire James vote 6-0
Rescue – Contract Services $67,000.00 Jason Allen/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Building Dept-Code Enforcement $19,700.00 Mark Fournier motioned $19,924/Jason Allen no vote, discussion ensued Cheryl Croto motioned $19,700/Mark Fournier vote 6-0, 1/9 No questions
Emergency Management $1,000.00 Mark Fournier/Jason Allen vote 6-0
Highway Dept $540,000.00 Jason Allen motioned $540,000/ Mark Fournier 2nd vote 6-0
Bridges $1.00 Claire James/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Street Lighting $2,700.00 Jason Allen/Claire James vote 6-0
Solid Waste Collection $87,776.92 Jason Allen/ Claire James vote 6-0
Solid Waste Disposal $22,300.00 Mark Fournier/Jason Allen vote 6-0
Inoculations $1.00 Jason Allen/ Claire James 6-0
Welfare $7,280.61 Mark Fournier/ Claire James vote 6-0
Welfare Payments $32,802.00 Mark Fournier/ Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Parks & Recreation $11,750.00 Claire James/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Library $77,800.00 Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Patriotic Purposes $18,000.00 Jason Allen/Claire James vote 6-0
Community Center $22,000.00 Claire James/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Other Conservation $900.00 Jason Allen/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Long Term Notes $81,840.00 Jason Allen/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Interest on Tan Notes $5,000.00 Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
- The Committee reviewed Warrant Articles proposed by the Select Board:
Warrant Article Expense SB
Recommendation Budget
Committee Vote Budget Committee motion/second/vote
1991 Town Building Repair Fund $1,000.00 Yes Claire James/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
1997 Town Facilities Fund $10,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
2002 Police Facility Fund $1,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
2003 Fire Dept Station Repair Fund $1,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
2006 Fire Dept Heavy Equipment Fund $10,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
2006 Main Street Improvement Fund $50,000.00 No Jason Allen/ Marlene Freyler vote 1-5, did not vote on a number but discussed $25,000
2009 Salt and Fuel Fund $1,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Cheryl Croto vote 6-0
2010 Communication Equipment Fund $2,500.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Claire James vote 6-0
Repurpose 2015 HW Exp Tr Fund – to major equip repair Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
2015 Equip Major Repair Exp Tr Fund – was HW Exp $16,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
2019 Town Hall Repair and Ren Exp Tr Fund $100,000.00 Yes Jason Allen/Justin Dohrn 5-1 Cheryl voted no(? Comfirm)
2019 Roads and Bridges Exp Tr Fund $225,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Jason Allen vote 5-0 Claire abstained
(new) Fire Equipment Expendable Trust $1,000.00 Yes Claire James/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
(new) Highway Heavy Equipment $24,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Lease/Purchase Payments; Loader & Police SUV $25,500.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Revaluation (10K from CR; 14K from taxation) $24,000.00 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Conservation Fund $1,000.00 Yes Claire James/Mark Fournier vote 6-0
Town Hall – move to TH Exp Trust from FB $60,000.00 Yes Claire James/Justin Dohrn vote 6-0
Bement Bridge – SB38 HW Block funds from FB $69,731.84 Yes Mark Fournier/Marlene Freyler vote 6-0
Motion: Marlene Freyler motioned to adjourn at 9:44pm.
Second: Justin Dohrn
Decision: 6-0 in favor
Future Business:
- The Budget Committee will hold a Public Hearing on January 30th, 2020 to review the 2020 Budget, with a continuance date of February 6th, 2020 if needed.
Meeting minutes submitted by Laurie Colburn, Recording Secretary.