Budget Committee Minutes 06.24.08

DRAFT DRAFT
TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
JUNE 24, 2008
7:00PMCall to Order and Roll Call:

Jack Meaney, Acting Chair opened the June 24, 2008 Budget Committee Meeting with Andrew Pinard, Selectmen Representative, Marlene Freyler, Jane Lucas, Gary Wall, Chris Aiken and Cheryl Behr, Administrator present. Absent was Robert Stewart, Chair.

Warrant Articles for the Proposed Special Town Meeting:

Providing the Court approves the request, the Special Town Meeting will be held July 29, 2008.

Article 1: To see if the town will vote to rescind the votes on Article 15 and Article 37 at the March 2008 Town Meeting and to raise and appropriate the sum of $350,000 (Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars) for the construction of a new Town highway garage on the land currently occupied by the existing garage and to authorize the issuance of not more than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon; furthermore, to authorize the withdrawal of $100,000 from the New Highway Garage Capital Reserve Fund, and to authorize the withdrawal of $50,000 from the Town Facilities Capital Reserve Fund for this purpose. The selectmen recommend this appropriation. (2/3 ballot vote is required).

Discussion ensued regarding the wording of Article I, and it was pointed out that it has been reviewed by Council. It was also advised with the exception of the actual financing, this is the same Article the Budget Committee approved last March. Question of what preliminary work has been done, and Andrew Pinard, Selectmen Representative advised a Site survey has been done of the property, and right now are determining one boundary

Line of the property concerning a land swap in the late 50’s which was not done. This is a “turn key production” was advised. In reply to the question of if this passes, when would the building be ordered, Andrew Pinard, Selectmen Representative advised the expectation would be within seven days. It was also pointed out that this covers all work outside of work done by volunteers. Discussion ensued.

Motion was made by Gary Wall to accept Article 1 as written with the word to be added in the first line between vote and rescind. Seconded and carried unanimously.

(Note: Article 15 at the March 2008 Town Meeting raised and appropriated the sum of $25,000 to begin necessary repairs to the current highway garage. Article 37 at the March 2008 Town Meeting withdrew $40,000 from the New Highway Garage Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of continuing research and preparation for a new highway garage and was amended at the meeting to designate a portion of those funds to be expended to conduct a Phase I environmental site assessment, and if necessary a Phase II environmental site assessment, on the lower dump site to assess the suitability of the area for the future location n of town facilities) This is for clarification only.

Article 2. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100,000 to build a salt shed on property currently owned by the Town of Bradford, on Cilley Lane in Bradford, N.H. and to authorize the issuance of not more than $100,000 of bonds or notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and to authorize the selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon. The selectmen recommend this appropriation. 2/3 ballot vote required.

Discussion ensued regarding building the salt shed on Jones Road, which is an option. It would be less convenient as the loader cannot be left there as it would not start per Steve Lucier, Road Agent. It was stated that the time between the ordering and erection of the salt shed, would be about 90 days.

Motion was made by Gary Wall to accept Article 2 as written. Seconded by Jane Lucas.

Motion carried unanimously.

Article 3: To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $15,000 to conduct a Phase I environmental site assessment, and if deemed necessary by the Board of Selectmen, Phase II environmental site assessment on the lower dump site to assess the suitability of the area for future location of town facilities. Selectmen recommend this appropriation. Andrew Pinard, Selectmen Representative advised this is in response to an amendment that was voted and approved at last town meeting.

Motion was made by Gary Wall to accept Article 3 as written. Motion seconded. Vote was 2 affirmative, 4 negative. Motion defeated.

Andrew Pinard, Selectmen Representative advised Cheryl Behr, Administrator has projected an increase for 2009 in the town budget, basically for fuel increases, amounting to $145,000.00 which the budget committee went over. Discussion ensued regarding where budget cuts could be done.

Meeting adjourned 8:30pm.

Respectfully submitted

Marjorie R. Cilley

Secretary. UNAPPROVED