TOWN OF BRADFORD BUDGET COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 3, 2015
Meeting called to order at 6:30pm by Beth Downs.
Members Present
Beth Downs; Dick Keller; Chris Mock; Kathy Rodgers; John Pfeifle, Selectman, arrived at 6:40pm
Members Absent
Don Jackson
Motion made to approve Beth Downs as Budget Committee Chair. Voted 4-0.
Review and Consideration of Minutes
Motion made to approve minutes of November 11, 2015 with change to cost of voting machine:
Page 1, 4150 Financial Administration, Line 1, “…voting machine purchased for $1,100.00 $3,100.00”
Department Head Interviews
- Fire Department: Fire Chief Mark Goldberg was present to review 2016 budget. Discussion included warrant article request for 54k for a washer/dryer that extract hazardous materials and updated fire house floor drain to prevent hazardous materials from draining into the ground. Chief stated that the firehouse is in violation of NHDES regulations. Fire Chief suggested the town put an RFQ for an engineer out to bid for a best possible cost. -Committee agreed to cut warrant article for 65k for fire dept. heavy equipment to 35k and leave the washer/dryer/floor drain line item of 54k.
- Highway Department: Committee reviewed proposed 2016 Highway Dept. budget with Road Agent Barry Wheeler. Questions of OT hours asked from board members and public in attendance. It was pointed out that 25% of OT budget was used during summer hours and 65% of all OT hours were from the top earners. Town Administrator & John Pfeifle will review the numbers. Road Agent volunteered to lower the requested equipment fuel budget from 35k to 30k.
- Rescue Squad budget reviewed. Discussed a multi-year contract with Henniker as relationship and service is great.
- Police Department: Praise was given to the PD for reducing their 2015 budget to help the town stay within budget. Police Chief Jim Valiquet and Officer Shaughnessy were present to review the PD budget. Pointed out that for most of the year the PD was down a full-time officer, which contributed to lower costs. Committee discussed putting an emergency phone outside of Police Station and French’s Park. Chief will put numbers together and send them to town office. Remaining budget items reviewed line by line.
The next Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 6:30pm at BACC.
As there was no further business to come before the committee, meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.