TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE
PUBLIC HEARING
FEBRUARY 9, 2012
6:30PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
Dick Keller, Chair called the meeting to order with Gary Wall, Don Jackson, Jon Marden, Beth Rodd, George Cilley and Marge Cilley Secretary present. Jack Meaney, Selectmen’s Representative was absent. Jack Meaney arrived 7:10pm.
Dick Keller, Chair advised the Budget Committee has been greatly aided this year with the Capital Improvement Program which projects major Capital Expenditures facing the town and extending them out over a six year time period.
The Budget Committee’s goal is from last years increase of 8.8%, resulting in the tax hikes and the complaints and negative comments from our fellow tax payers, and those families being evicted was to push for at least a level budget for this year. This was presented to the Selectmen back in November 2011. As you can see, this committee has been ignored, bur remains pretty well on target.
Handouts that were provided to everyone has on one side the Operating Budget and the second side, the Warrant Articles.
The difference between the Selectmen’s operating budget and this committee’s is one hundred twenty three thousand three hundred thirty ($123,330) dollars, or 6.5%. The difference is in the 3.6% increase in wages and benefits and 22% increased budget for the highway budget, all recommended by the Selectmen.
The Budget Committee can deal with the bottom line, and what happens in between is up to the Departments with the acquiescence of the Selectmen.
Budget Committee’s Score Card:
Dick Keller, Chair explained the Budget Committee’s score Card sheet that had been handed out to everyone. The first column shows the 2010 budget, second column shows the 2011 budget, with the % of change between those columns, The next column shows the amount of money expended in 2011 followed by the next column which is the Selectmen’s Budget then showing the % of change between that and the 2011. The last column is the Budget Committee’s recommendation for the 2012 budget.
Operating Budget:
Executive Budget:
The difference between the Selectmen’s executive budget and the Budget Committee’s is for the addition of $14,000 for the additional hours of a part time employee in the Selectmen’s office to work with Cheryl Behr to study the administrative operation and prepare to replace her when Cheryl retires.
The score card was gone over line by line.
Employee Benefits:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised there was a new line added to Employee Benefits to show Vacation Buy outs which increased the Selectmen’s budget to $298,975.00. The Budget Committee Budget is $286,775.00. The Budget Committee reduced the Health Insurance budget line by $6,000.00. Cheryl Behr, Administrator questioned this since the contract has already been signed. Jon Marden stated that since the Selectmen did not see fit to renegotiate anything other than that was currently available, they will have to make an adjustment wherever they choose to. Question from the public was how can they break a contract to which they were informed it is a thirty day contract.
Dick Keller, Chair reiterated that the Budget Committee is trying to bring the budget in line so our tax burden is reasonable. We are also hoping to bring this through for a few years and spread the Warrant Articles out because of their burden. The figure issued to the budget committee on December 15, 2011 (revised budget) was in the amount of $182,100. The Selectmen department request was $177,800. and the Selectmen approved that number. Cheryl Behr advised there were some changes in personnel, consequently changing the numbers during the year.
Dick Keller, Chair recommended this be revisited as a committee, taking into consideration comments made at this meeting.
General Government Buildings
The Selectmen recommended $68,463.00 and the Budget Committee recommends $$54,097.00, the difference is many of the items making up this amount are already listed in the Community Center Budget was explained by Dick Keller, Chair. Cheryl Behr stated that $20,000.00 was added for repair of the Town Hall as there was not enough money in the Community Center Budget to do enough repairs to the Town Hall to move back into if the Town Hall Restoration Committee’s Bond Article (which was never initiated) did not pass.
Other Government Buildings:
Question was why is this item up to which Jon Marden advised it includes:
Mill Foil Remediation at Lake Massasecum, Contract Services for Environmental Testing (Required) Sanitation Units at Boat Launch at French’s Park, and French’s Park testing, the four major categories.
Police Dept.
Selectmen recommend $ 316,747.00 and the Budget Committee recommends $305,163.00. Question was will this endanger the Cops Grant, and the reply was negative. Also where is the difference coming from. Reply was the Secretarial services plus some other minor items which were discussed with the Chief who stated he could still work within that budget. Chief Valiquet advised they may have to give up some programs such as DARE if they cannot afford to do it. Chief Valiquet advised they are not asking for more hours or increase in pay for the Secretary. Chief Valiquet advised he only asks for what he needs, then stands up for it. It was stated that the Cops Grant goes through 2014, by Chief Valiquet. Discussion ensued from the public.
Budget Committee recommends revisiting this issue.
Rescue Squad:
Laurie Brown questioned if the tax payers do not pass Article 14 regarding the $106,000, would the Budgeted amount of the Selectmen and Budget Committee of $70,860 be enough?
Highway Department:
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised he would like to discuss the $444,000 that they all agreed on, then the Budget Committee went behind his back and cut it down to $425,000 which he has a problem with. Where did the Budget Committee cut more money, what line item? Jon Marden advised this was an unspecified cut. Jon Marden stated that last year $403,000 and some change was voted at town meeting, and within a week it went to $415,000, obviously, money can be moved between departments. Cheryl advised after town meeting last year they had to immediately transfer money from Emergency Capital Reserve Fund to cover salt budget and fuel. Shortly after that, money was transferred from the Fire Dept. to the Highway Dept. as they did the work on the Fire Pond. Other than that, they transferred money from the Transfer Station in the amount of $12,000, then we received from FEMA $101,000. That money did not go into the highway budget, but showed up in Revenue. Much discussion ensued.
Dick Keller, Chair advised the $415,000 amount is 11.1% over the 2010 budget. Over 5% each year increase. Dick continued saying the population has not gone up accordingly.
Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised they have 4 minutes worth of pictures to show the group. It was agreed that it would be put on the web site.
Other Conservation:
Difference between Selectmen and Budget Committee is $10.00 – typo error?
Warrant Articles:
5. Architectural evaluation – Town Hall – $13,000 Recommended by the Budget Comm.,
7. Retrofit downstairs of Community Building: – $25,000.00 Budget Committee does Not recommend.
8. Revaluation – Capital Reserve – $10,000 – Budget Committee recommends
9. Gravestone Repair – $4,000 – Budget Committee recommends
10. Police Cruiser – $35,240. – Budget Committee recommends
11. Fire Dept. Heavy Equip Capital Reserve – $25,000 Budget Committee Recommends
12. Fire/Highway/Police communication – $37,000. (Figures on sheets handed out tonight are incorrect figures.) Budget Committee Recommends.
“Communication Equipment Capital Reserve – $5,000 (This amount was moved into the above account) This is no longer an Article.
13. Ambulance Capital Reserve – $10,000 – Budget Committee recommends
14. Ambulance service Fund Balance – $106,000 – Budget Committee recommends
15. Highway Dept Hvy Equip Capital Reserve – $30,000 –Budget Committee recommends.
16. Salt & Fuel Emergency Fund – $5,000 – Budget Committee recommends
17. Highway Dept. Grader – $272,700 – Budget Committee recommends
18. Highway Dept. Grader grant – $68,000 – Is included in the above Article with the $272,700 amount.
Highway Dept. Grader Fund Transfer is omitted.
19. Bridge Design – $48,000 – Budget Committee does not recommend, but does recommend $28,000
At this time, Jon Marden re-stated that the Selectmen choose the amount of the Warrant, and the Budget Committee either approves or disapproves the amount of it. The town, then votes its own. The Budget Committee makes a recommendation to the Selectmen. and they chose to not approve. This does not mean it cannot be amended on the floor, at town meeting or doesn’t mean it cannot be passed in its entirety.
20. Road Const. E. Main St, Old Warner Rd., Howlett Road & Greenhouse Lane $375,000. The Budget Committee does not recommend.
In reply to a question as to why, Dick Keller advised the amount came in with no method of making the payment on it, how to fund it, other than taxes.
Don Jackson inquired of the Road Committee if they received a report from DOT, is it available, and when was it received? Jeff Remillard advised they surveyed every road in town in December 2011. Jeff Remillard, Road Agent advised it is on the Highway computer and he can print it off. It was also pointed out, that we’ve seen requests for roads for resurfacing, repair for years and all of a sudden, there are two roads that just came up. Nothing about Fairgrounds Road, West Road, any other roads that are in rough shape, and it is confusing to know where the priorities are, and who determined it.
Much discussion ensued.
Jack Meaney pointed out that on East Main Street after the new sidewalks and bike lanes were put in, there is only a five foot strip in the middle left to put asphalt on. If this is not done, the rest of the work would get broken up.
21. Road Construction, East Main Street – $140,000. Budget Committee recommends.
22. Asphalt Rd. Repairs & Shimming – $50,000- Budget Committee does not recommend
Budget Committee recommendation is $20,000 based on the $30,000 that is remaining in that fund.
23. Town Building Emergency Repair Capital Reserve – $5,000-Budget committee recommends.
24. Town Bldg & Facility Renovate Capital Reserve – $5,000 – Budget Committee recommends.
25. Boat Launch – $5,000 – Budget Committee recommends.
26. Youth Sports – $2750. – Budget Committee recommends
27. Main Street Improvement Capital Reserve – $10,000. – Budget Committee recommends.
Total Operating Budget from the Score card handed out, including the Operating Budget and the Warrant Articles by the selectmen is Two million, seven hundred thirty five thousand nine hundred sixty six dollars ($2,735,966) for a 21% increase.
Dick Keller, Chair advised there are some numbers on the Budget Committee recommendations that need changing, but their budget is between .05% & 1% increase.
Next meeting is scheduled if needed will be: February 16, 2012 at 6:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary