TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
OCTOBER 23, 2013
7:00PM
Call To Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00pm with John Pfeifle, Selectmen Representative, Jon Marden, Will Hurley, Don Jackson, George Cilley, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary.
Dick Keller advised he had received an e-mail from Beth Rodd who has resigned due to other commitments.
Motion was made by George Cilley to accept Beth Rodd’s resignation from the Budget Committee. Seconded by Will Hurley. Motion carried 6-0.
Motion was made by Don Jackson to nominate Sue McKevitt as Budget Committee member to fill out Beth Rodd’s year. Seconded by George Cilley. Motion carried 6-0.
At this time, Sue McKevitt was seated at the table and given some earlier information from Dick Keller, Chair.
Review and Consideration of September 18th minutes:
Motion was made by George Cilley to approve the September 18th minutes as presented. Seconded by Jon Marden. Motion carried 6-0.
Review of Third Quarter Report:
4130 Executive
1401 Budget Committee Expense is now $435 over budget.
Cost of books and conference were listed.
4140 Election
4150 Financial Administration
4152 Revaluation of Property
4153 Legal
Over budget by $1100.00.
4155 Employee Benefits
4191 Planning and Zoning
4194 General Govt Buildings
Problems at Town Hall- Alarm repairs etc.
Used oil collection short this year
$5255.00 Balance for the year remaining.
In reply to a question, Cheryl advised the clock winding will come out of repairs.
4195 Cemetery
Question if the DurrellCemetery repair has been paid
23% left on budget at this time.
4196 Insurance
Insurances are paid for the year.
Health Insurance next year will be up 7.9%.
It was stated that Employee Contribution will be looked into.
4199 Other Gen’l Govt
Massasecum bill has not come in yet
There is a 52.6% balance remaining at this time.
4210 Police Department
Discussion regarding surrounding towns sharing services and costs.
Recommendation made to track over time wages.
Discussion regarding how to handle reimbursements.
4220 Fire Department
4225 Rescue Squad
There has been problems with the ambulance
Discussion regarding joining forces with another town who would be transporters. September wages are not included in the figures presented.
4240 Building Dept.
It was noted that the Building Inspector is doing a good job, and reports back and the fee schedule is working well.
4290 Civil Defense
4312 Highway Department
Comments were: Better service in town and improvements to the roads
this year than for many previous years. Road Agent working very professionally and is watching budget.
4313 Bridges
Discussion regarding Warrant Item in March regarding the bridge off Route 114, to Breezy Hill Road, to bring I beams up to code.
Postponing design until December. All wood for beams etc have been donated by a Bradford resident.
4316 Street Lighting
4323 Solid Waste Collection
Good shape here.
4324 Solid Waste Disposal
With Concord agreement for another year.
Working on becoming more local.
4415 Inoculations
4441 Welfare
Wages in line.
Mention was made regarding keeping track of services versus time spent for this year. Monthly details list more this year per Cheryl Behr.
Welfare Agent may have some refunds coming back.
4520 Parks & Rec.
4550 Library
4583 Patriotic Purposes
4589 Community Center
Holding off on further repairs
Will need a new kitchen counter soon, as well as carpeting.
4619 Other Conservation
4711 Long Term Notes
4723 TAN Notes
Not paid back at this time, will be paid by the end of the year.
Comment was that 19.2% of Budget is left with 22.1% available.
Of the LGC Health Insurance refund of $35,000.00, $10,315.53 will be returned to employee’s or retiree’s. Three employee’s signed off on a settlement and will not get reimbursement. $6200.00 is for retiree’s and will show up through payroll.
$43,800 was voted last year, $35,000 of that is the annual payment for the road bond and $8,800 is the lease payment the police cruiser, for a 2% increase per Cheryl Behr. The road bond is for ten years.
John Pfeifle, Selectmen Representative advised they are going to put through a method categorizing payroll for all departments, involving the Budget Committee. If one is at the top of the range, there would not be an automatic raise. This will show a range of pay and will include longevity, performance. The review period will change from January first to April first after Town Meeting. The Budget Committee was in unanimous agreement to these thoughts and ideas.
Cheryl Behr advised that the Road Agent is looking to hire another full time person.
Cheryl Behr read the transmittal letter that went out to all Departments with the return due date of November first for their 2014 budgets.
Sue McKevitt questioned why several small checks were listed on the Expense Account to which Cheryl explained all these amounts have the same check number.
Department Inventory, CIP and Budget Committee discussed.
Mention was made of the fire drill with fifteen towns participating at West Meadow Farm starting at 6:00am next Sunday.
The Police Department Solar Safety Sign was discussed at length with suggestions that it be located somewhere else in town for better utilization. John Pfeifle, Selectmen Representative advised he will talk with Jim Valiquet, Police Chief.
George Cilley mentioned that since the BNSYS has advised the Selectmen they will no longer be using Brown Shattuck Field, there needs to be money allowed in the budget for field care during the three months April /June) when they used to pay for it.
The Operating Budget for 2014 was handed out for perusal by the board.
The next Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for:
Wednesday, November 13, 2013AT 6:30PM
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie r. Cilley
Secretary