TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
DECEMBER 22, 2011
6:00PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00pm with Don Jackson, Gary Wall, Jon Marden, George Cilley, Barry Wheeler, Selectmen Representative, Beth Rodd, and Marge Cilley, Secretary.
Review and Consideration of December 15, 2011 minutes:
Motion was made by Don Jackson to approve the minutes as presented. Seconded by John Marden, Gary Wall abstained from voting. Motion carried 5-0.
Roberts Rules
Dick Keller, Chair advised that resulting from last weeks meeting and the slight upset we had, he did look at Roberts Rules of order, and relating to actions of Committees, particularly small Committees. They are pretty broad how a small committee of 12 or less as far as decorum goes; disruptive issues will be dealt with.
November 10, 2011 Meeting:
Dick Keller, Chair advised at the November 10, 2011 Budget Committee meeting it was decided to keep the Town Tax level, in the Tax Budget, not to exceed the 2011 level. Mr. Keller questioned if the Committee was still satisfied with that. Consensus was in the affirmative.
2011 Budget Continued:
4130 Executive $113,623.28
Adjusted by Administrator
Cheryl Behr, Not looked at by the Selectmen at this time.
Motion to Approve by Jon Marden, Seconded by Don Jackson. Carried Unanimously.
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to amend the motion to Increase the budget expenses by $700.00 after the $1642.00 adjustment made by Cheryl Behr, Adm.
Don Jackson seconded. George Cilley Abstained. Motion carried 6-0
Motion carried as amended. 6-0. George Cilley Abstained.
Motion to amend line #4130-1401 to $1200.00 total was made by Beth Rodd
Seconded by Don Jackson Motion carried 6-0. George Cilley Abstained.
Motion to approve 4130 Executive made, seconded and carried 7-0.
4210 Police Department
Motion was made by Jon Marden $315,163.00
Seconded by George Cilley.
Question regarding Police Dept. Part Time Secretaries hours, and vehicle repairs brought about much conversation. Vehicle repairs were also brought up as being down this
year, and Chief Valiquet advised a lot is being done at the Town Sheds this year.
Motion was made by Gary Wall to amend the motion on the floor to the figure of
Last year’s Budget for the Police Dept. Seconded by Beth Rodd. Motion Carried 7-0.
Motion carried as amended for the Police Dept. Budget for 2012. Motion carried
7-0.
4220 Fire Dept. $ 59,250.00
Motion was made by Don Jackson to reduce line item 4220-7401 from $7,100.00 to -0-.for Base Radios, as it should come as a Warrant Article. George Cilley seconded the motion. Chris Frey suggested the town has not done well in the past few years with
Warrant Articles, and these are essential to the town.
Don Jackson withdrew his motion, George Cilley withdrew his second.
Motion was made by Gary Wall for the 2012 Fire Department Budget at $59,250.00. Seconded by Don Jackson. Motion carried 7-0.
4312 Highway Department $444,384.00
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent requested the Budget Committee go over the 2012 Budget for the Highway Dept. to see where they come up with the end figures.
Motion was made by George Cilley for the Highway Budget at $418,533.00. Seconded by Jon Marden.
Jon Marden reiterated that he is not happy with the 3.6 proposed wage increase, he is not happy that the Budget Committee was not consulted until after the fact, and it conflicts with the Employee Manual that the Town Employees were given, but it is not the Budget Committees spot. Page 7 of the Employee Manual states: Salary Increases: Shall not be automatic, but on the merit system, recommended by the Department Head and approved
by the Selectmen). Discussion ensued. Presentations will have to be made either for
or against the Articles at town meeting, Motion was made by Jon Marden to Amend the
Motion to $430,487.00. Seconded by Don Jackson.
Budget gone over Line by Line:
Wages – 3.6% increase discussed
Contract Services: Jeff Remillard stated Catch Basins, Guard Rails, Bridges, need
sealant, Ditching, Roads that need shoulders are needed. Gary Wall requested seeing a
chart of what is needed to be done. Budget Committee set at $10,000.
Blasting: Jeff stated some rocks do need to be blasted that come up in the road. Raised
back to Selectmen’s $5,000.00.
Repairs and Maintenance-Equipment Budget Committee. Dropped to $25,000.00.
Supplies: Budget amount $10,000. A list of requirements would be helpful.
Supplies-Uniforms – Same Supplies-Road Signs-Road Signs need to be
Updated by 2018. Budget Committee set at $5,000.
Culverts – Remains the same. $10,000.
Supplies-Gravel-Budget Committee set at $20,000.
Gasoline – Budget Committee $30,000.
New Equipment – Budget Committee $2,500.
Motion to amend was withdrawn by Jon Marden and the second by Don Jackson for $430,487.
Motion was made by Jon Marden and seconded by George Cilley to set the Highway Budget at $444,384. Motion carried 7-0.
Barry Wheeler, Selectmen’s Representative left the meeting at this time.
The Fire Department/Rescue Charitable Trust in the amount of $106,000.00 was discussed as to Warrant Article or Line Item.
4140 Election, Registration & Vital Statistic $ 9,689.00
Motion made to approve by Gary Wall. Don Jackson seconded. Motion carried 6-0.
4153 Legal $16,000.00
Motion to approve by Jon Marden, Seconded by Gary Wall. Carried 6-0.
4191 Planning & Zoning $ 9,200.00
Motion to approve made by Gary Wall Seconded by Jon Marden. Carried 6-0.
4240 Building Dept. $29,951.52
Motion to approve by George Cilley Second by Gary Wall. Carried 6-0
4290 Civil Defense 250.00
Motion to approve made by Gary Wall Seconded by Jon Marden. Carried 6-0.
4313 Bridges 500.00
Motion to approve made by Gary Wall Jon Marden seconded. Motion carried 6-0.
4316 Street Lighting $ 4,700.00
Motion to Approve made by Jon Marden Seconded by Gary Wall. Carried 6-0.
4323 Solid Waste Collection $48,615.00
Motion to approve made by Gary Wall Jon Marden seconded. Motion carried 6-0.
4324 Solid Waste Disposal $39,500.00
Motion was made by Jon Marden to Approve, seconded by Beth Rodd.
Motion carried 6-0.
4415 Innoculations $ 250.00
Motion to approve made by Dick Keller. Seconded by George Cilley Motion carried 6-0.
4520 Parks and Rec: $ 2,000.00
Motion was made by Beth Rodd to approve Seconded by Gary Wall. Carried 6-0.
4589 Community Center $31,300.00
Motion made to approve by Jon Marden Seconded by George Cilley. Carried 6-0.
4583 Fireworks $14,500.00
Previously voted on.
4225 Rescue Squad $70,860.00
Motion was made by Beth Rodd
Seconded by Jon Marden. Carried 6-0
Discussion ensued regarding Review of Revenue Summary that was handed out at last meeting. Was basically held to be discussed at the next meeting.
Tax Cap Method of Budgeting was discussed. It was stated that the Budget Committee is not in power, but could have an impact. The town could pass a Tax Cap Article-Tax Increase for the next year and could be named but not in excess of what ever amount was stated. It could also be accomplished by petition.
Public Input and discussion was held briefly.
The next scheduled meeting for the Bradford Budget Committee is:
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2012 AT 6:30PM
Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary