TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
APRIL 19, 2012
6:30PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair opened the meeting at 6:30pm with Jon Marden, Beth Rodd, Don Jackson, George Cilley, Will Hurley, Barry Wheeler, Selectmen’s Representative and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Dick Keller, Chair and members welcomed Will Hurley as a new member of the Budget Committee.
Review and Consideration of March 8, 2012 minutes:
Motion was made by George Cilley to accept the minutes as read, seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried 5-0. Beth Rodd and Barry Wheeler were absent at that meeting.
Organizational:
Dick Keller, Chair advised he would be willing to hold the position as Chair for another year.
Motion was made for Dick Keller to be Chair of the Budget Committee for this year by Beth Rodd. Seconded by Barry Wheeler. Motion carried 6-0
Motion was made by Don Jackson for Jon Marden to be Vice Chair of the Budget Committee for this year. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 6-0.
March Town Meeting reactions:
Jon Marden acknowledged the Budget Committee’s sitting at the table up front of the residents, and being well prepared at Town Meeting which appeared to be very well received by everyone. The town voted with the Budget Committee, with two exceptions on the line item budget. It was also brought up that Town Meeting appeared to be active, but civil this year.
Dick Keller, Chair stated that sheets comparing 2010 and 2011 budgets that were handed out to all the voters prior to Town Meeting were well received. Dick thanked everyone who was involved in handing them out to the public.
Lengthy discussion ensued regarding rental of equipment, contracting services etc. by the board. Will Hurley brought up the idea of inviting a guest speaker regarding different prospectives to which the board thought a good idea.
List of Terms for Erica Gross, Town Clerk:
George Cilley‘s term ends in 2013 Don Jackson’s term ends in 2013
Will Hurley’s term ends in 2015 Beth Rodd’s term ends in 2014
Dick Keller’s term ends in 2015 Jon Marden’s term ends in 2014
Andrew Pinard will be contacted to see how to get the updated list of elected people and terms of office on the Web Site.
First Quarter Expenses through March 31, 2012 Reviewed:
Jon Marden advised he will put the forms for the report in a spreadsheet format, and get them to the members prior to meetings, enabling the Board to do a more comprehensive comparison if that is what the members would like., and consensus is they would.
Expenses: Balance Left
4130 Executive
Is over 10% -Reason is Software Support 92,628.46
And Printing
4140 Election
#1200 Ballot Clerks – over spent (109.20)
4155 Employee Benefits
Dental Insurance premiums discussed
4191 Planning & Zoning
357.50 error to Circuit Rider being corrected
4194 Gen Gov’t Buildings #4110 Heat & Oil 4,589.25
This budget was revised after Town Meeting
George Cilley questioned if the Town Clock service contract in the amount of $150.00 been forward to Arnie? He is waiting to hear from the Town to come to do the work.. Barry Wheeler, Selectmen will check on this. This is listed under 4194, Gen Gov’t Buildings #9311.
4196 Insurances
Jon Marden will obtain further information
4312 Highway Dept. 240,902.60
Highway Department is over budget
Showing 60.23% left of their funds which should be 75% end of the first quarter of the year. Jon Marden advised this is a budget that required adjustment. Line items have changed significantly from what was discussed at Budget deliberations.
Some of members will attend the Selectmen’s Meeting next week to obtain some explanations.
4313 Bridges
Bridges are showing an expenditure of ( 3,830.00%)
over budget. Design, construction and scheduling
discussed. Jon Marden and Dick Keller will work on this
together.
4520 Parks and Recreation
Copier questioned (Is actually a new Community Center Copier per Selectmen’s minutes February 7, 2012 for a $689.00 price, and was received on February 14, 2012)
4583 Patriotic Purposes
# 6802 Will Hurley questioned $6,000.00 for Portable Toilets. This will be checked into as well as last years budget.
Other Committee Business and Concerns:
Auditing process discussed, annual fee being $12,700.00 under #4150-3010.
Will Hurley questioned if it would be beneficial to request the Department Heads to meet with the Budget Committee Quarterly.
Warrant Article Projections for 2013 being handed out earlier discussed.
Move ahead with CIP.
Updated Wages by Department were received April 19, 2012 from Cheryl Behr.
Dick Keller will follow up on letters sent out by Jon Marden to Senators and Representatives, regarding State Budget, as to Rooms and Meals, Education, Grants, to come and speak to the Budget Committee, and advise members when and who.
A written Warrant Article Formatting suggestion was handed out to each member that was written by Tim Rodd for their perusal.
Discussion ensued regarding listing Warrant Articles from the highest amount of money involved to the lowest. Further discussion will be taken up.
Will Hurley questioned if the Employee Benefits could be by each department, not as cumulative and how could it be accomplished.
Mark Keith, public, questioned how the new sidewalk procedure is progressing? George Cilley advised there has been some measuring of utility pole placement done just this past week.
Next meetings are scheduled as:
Thursday, May 24, 2012, at 6:30pm
Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 6:30pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary