MBC Minutes 11.09.10

TOWN OF BRADFORD
BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2010
7:00PM

Fire Department Tour:

The following members of the Budget Committee met at the Fire Department at 6:00pm: Gary Wall, Don Jackson, Dick Keller, Beth Rodd, Chris Aiken and George Cilley arrived at 6:30pm. Fire Chief, Mark Goldberg took the Budget Committee on a tour of the Fire Department who with the Rescue Squad consists of fifty members. The million dollars worth of equipment was viewed by the committee.

The Budget Committee continued at 7:00pm at the Town Hall and was joined by the Secretary.

Gary Wall noted that the Municipal Budget Committee is meeting tonight at the KRHS and the Budget Committee was invited. Since we are in session, we were unable to attend. Another meeting is planned for November 17, 2010 at 7:00pm. Members are invited to attend.

The School Board is requesting a $1.6 million increase (plus last year’s surplus). The Municipal Budget Committee is recommending a flat budget.

Beth Rodd kindly did the above minutes prior to the Secretaries availability.

Gary Wall reiterated the visit to the Fire Department was informative with history, future needs, volunteerism and donations to help offset the cost of running the departments.

Sue Pehrson, Town Clerk/Tax Collector:

The Budget Committee requested to know how a 5% decrease in running the Departments of Town Clerk/Tax Collector would affect them. Sue Pehrson advised it could not happen. Last year the Deputy Clerk did not work on Fridays, and now does, working more hours at higher pay. Sue also advised the department will need to purchase a lap top computer for the 2012 Primary, which means it will need to be purchased in 2011. Sue stated that the Dept. has three State computers, and when they are worn out, the Town has to furnish new ones.

Gary Wall, Chair thanked Sue Pehrson for coming in.

Cheryl Behr, Administrator handed out “Budget by Function” sheets to the Budget Committee and went over the individual figures for the total operating budget for one million, eight hundred five thousand, eight hundred sixty nine ($1,805,869) dollars.

Cheryl also advised she will approach TDS for programs. Rates have been evaluated on an annual basis, with the police using most of the long distance amount

3rd Quarter Expenses:

Acct. Remaining

No. Description: Balance:

4130                Executive                                                                                  22,631.97
Office Equipment -$1500 next year for computer
Part time salaries increased with increased secretary and payroll clerk hours.

4140                Election, Registration & Vital Statistic                            3,783.23
Several meetings need to be prepared for.

4150                Financial Administration                                                            20,124.35

4152                Revaluation of Property                                                            5,152.89
$2650.00 goes to Tax Map Update

4153                Legal                                                                                        9,871.19
Will need to add $4,000/5,000

4155                Employee Benefits                                                                    47,117.89                               Will have a negative balance.
Census changes, plus 3 new employees
$8,000 negative balance end of year.

4191                Planning & Zoning                                                                    5,285.17

4194                Gen Govt Bldgs                                                                        11,604.39

4195                Cemetery                                                                                 3,662.83

4196                Insurance                                                                                  (3,591.31)
Done for year

4199                Other General Gov’t.                                                                5,928.12
Milfoil & Sanitation at French’s Park
Cut back on sanitation units next year

4210                Police                                                                                       119,692.76

4220                Fire Dept.                                                                                 14,371.51

4225                Rescue                                                                                     23,967.43
Rates indicate position, Power stretcher $14,600
2 per diem employees to be hired.
Henniker will do temporary back-up

4240                Building Dept.                                                                           4,307.53

4290                Civil Defense                                                                            (853.60)
Plottner individuals replaced from Apartments

4312                Highway Dept.                                                             80,882.47
Training Classes, Drug Testing – New Employees. On going security system

4313                Bridges                                                                          100.00

4316                Street Lighting                                                              1,559.79

4323                Solid Waste Collection                                                 19,637.96
Ken has semi retired, all employees part time

4324                Solid Waste Disposal                                                                36,254.96
Changes are being done. Naughton taking less to Town Landfill-Tonnage rate will increase, but not set yet. Regionalization possibility suggested. Cheryl will check on tonnage rate to Berlin.

4415                Innoculations                                                                             500.00
Will need for Police and Rescue Squad.

4441                Welfare                                                                                    1,105.63

4445                Welfare Payments                                                                     13,788.02
Vendor payments

4520                Parks & Rec                                                                            1,459.61

4550                Library                                                                                      -0-

4583                Patriotic Purposes                                                                      2,778.87
Road Race brought in more money.

4589                Community Center                                                                    29,385.95
Nature’s Camp money not used goes back into General Fund.
Farmer’s Market (40.88) NSF check
CAP-dumpster $30.50 monthly

4619                Other Conservation                                                                              580.00

4711                Long Term Notes                                                                      3,120.00
Highway Garage $15,940 every 6 months

4723                Interest on Tan Notes                                                                2,000.00

Other concerns include:

Fuel for Highway Garage comes from Transfer Station, Local Garages.

Community Center needs to get Insurance and show proof from users. If waived, the Selectmen need to do this. If a town department sponsors, there will be no additional insurance needed.

No further questions regarding the 3rd quarter expense accounts were asked.

Jon Marden questioned who and how is the Capital Reserve accounts monitored.

Why is the $40,000 asphalt-Non lapsing budget not under Highway Budget?

Oiling roads now called resurfacing. Funds need to be used for exactly as set figure.

All Trust Funds are Managed by: Everett Kittredge, Tom Riley and George Morse.

All Capital Reserve come from Trust Funds and Cheryl Behr, Administrator has no hand in this.

Gary Wall questioned if all the Department Heads work sheets for the 2011 budget have been distributed, to which Cheryl Behr advised they have been received or waiting to be picked up by the Departments. Gary Wall requested they get them in September to get an earlier start next year. They have been requested to be returned to the Selectmen’s Office by December 7, 2010.

Peter Fenton, Selectmen suggested the Budget Committee set a definite night to meet, and they will beet on Tuesday’s after the Selectmen have met.

The Selectmen will meet next on November 23, 2010.

Marcia Keller, Chair Planning Board presented the completed and accepted CIP report which the Planning Board just received and also expressed that the Planning Board was very impressed with the job done.

Next Budget Committee Meeting: Nov. 23, 2010 at 7:00pm

Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm

Respectfully submitted

Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary