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Warner Budget Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday,
January 6, 2010
Meeting
opened at 7:00 p.m. In
attendance: Marc Violette - Chairman
Kimberley Edelmann
Alfred Hanson
Martha Bodnarik
Richard Cutting
Clyde Carson – Selectman’s Representative
Pete Newman – Warner Village Water District Representative Absent:
Mike
Cutting
Others present:
Selectman David Karrick, Jr., Selectman David E. Hartman, Laura Buono
– Town Administrator, Nancy Martin, John Dabuliewicz, Brian Hotz, Jim
McLaughlin, Martha Mical 1.
Meeting Minutes Motion was made and seconded to approve
meeting minutes dated December 17, 2009.
All were in favor, the motion passed. 2. Conservation Commission The Budget Committee asked the Commission
to explain their request for $30K to be placed in the Conservation Fund.
Nancy Martin, Chair of the Conservation Commission explained the
requested $30K will enable the Commission to continue to do land
protection projects. The
$30K would help support the Bower Farm project.
She said in addition there are at least six other projects where
people are interested in talking to the Commission in the near future.
Currently there is $46,257.00 in the Conservation Fund.
Mr. Violette asked how much more money is
needed to complete the Bower project.
Ms. Martin said the Commission has applied for a Land &
Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) grant that will match
$138K. Commission member
Brian Hotz said the goal is to raise $70K for the Bower project he also
said it is dependant upon the grant.
It was also explained the portion of the Bower property that is
located in Sutton will be funded by the Town of Sutton in the amount of
$50K. Martha Bodnarik asked the Commission with
the poor state of the economy how can the Town justify asking for
another $30K. She recommends
holding off for one year. Mr.
Hotz explained the town voted to continue land conservation projects and
the Commission is asking for the opportunity to ask the voters if they
wish to continue. Mr. Hotz
explained that the LCHIP opportunity will not be available next year.
Ms. Bodnarik feels that there would be a different outcome if
this was placed on the ballot instead of Town Meeting.
Mr. Hotz said that could be said for all the warrant articles.
Richard Cutting asked how many people have come to the
Commission, or is the bulk of the projects solicited by the Commission.
Mr. Hotz said every project that he has dealt with has come to
the Commission. Mr. Violette confirmed that the entire
road frontage on the Bower Farm is Class VI road.
Mr. Hanson asked where the funding will come from if the LCHIP
grant is not approved. Mr.
Hotz said the Bower Project would probably not go through.
Mr. Hotz said the $30K is not into this single project, as in the
past it is asked that the funding be placed in the general Conservation
Fund, because if this project is not funded the Commission can move on
to the next project. Alfred Hanson explained that through the
Budget Committee process Departments have been asked and are willing to
give something up, he asked if the Commission is willing to do the same.
He said instead of asking the voters for $30K why not ask for
$20K. John Dabuliewicz said
the Commission needs enough to make up for $70K; the minimum would be
$26K. Martha Bodnarik asked
if the funding could be contingent upon receiving the grant money.
Mr. Hotz said the Commission would know about the grant funding
on January 11 or 12th. It
was asked if the Commission does not receive the grant money would the
Commission be willing to look for a reduced amount, it was highly
encouraged by Martha Bodnarik to ask for less.
John Dabuliewicz said he speaks to people
who are in support of land conservation; he supports conservation of
land because he wants Warner to be what it is 100 years from now.
The Commission is asking to let the voters to make the decision.
Kimberley Edelmann said that Question
51 in the Planning Board survey from 2008 resulted in more than
50% saying they would like to see less or the same in conservation.
She also asked what the risk would be if the Bower project is not
completed this year. Mr.
Hotz said the LCHIP will not be available next year.
She asked what the risk is if the Bower project does not go into
conservation easement. Mr.
Hotz said the risk is losing the farm as a family working farm as well
as the possibility of development. Mr.
Hotz said the Commissions job is not to prevent development; it’s to
look at prime pieces of land that have natural resource value.
Alfred Hanson asked how a property is
valued. Mr. Hotz said a
conservation easement value is determined basically by what is the value
of the land if the property is sold today, and then what is it worth if
it is sold with the easement. The
difference is the drop in value subject to the conservation easement
which is the value of the easement.
Kimberley Edelmann asked once the land is
under conservation easement what right does that give to the citizens of
Warner. Mr. Hotz said it
generally ensures public access to the land and also if there are
snowmobile trails it ensures access to the trails. 3. 2010 Town Budget The Town Administrator provided copies of
the budget and identified some changes within the operating budget.
The first change is indicated in the Tax
Collector budget under salary. The
Tax Collector was scheduled for a wage increase in 2010, but the Tax
Collector has adamantly opposed the wage increase next year and has
requested that the Selectmen remove it, which has been done.
The second change is indicated in the
Retirement because the Department of Revenue likes 0¢ in the bottom
line of the budget. Retirement
was changed to $12,405.89 to reflect the 0¢ in the bottom line. Land Use department has experienced a
recent change in the Clerk; the salary line was adjusted to $18K. Workman’s Compensation Insurance was
changed to $33,516.19. Selectman Carson provided changes in the
Capital Budget: Generators – The Selectmen decided that
the Fire Department generator is a priority.
100% funding is indicated in the Capital Budget as well as
applying for a grant. The
generator for the Town Hall is needed, but funding will be provided
through a grant; if a grant is not approved the generator will not be
purchased. There was
discussion about if the grant is approved what would happen to half of
the budgeted funding, would it go back into the general fund or possibly
a Capital Reserve that could be used for the Town Hall generator.
No absolute conclusion was made.
Mr. Violette confirmed that the generator for the Fire Department
could be used at the new facility when it is built.
Martha Bodnarik spoke about the pumper for
the Fire Department, she is not in favor of a lease/purchase, she would
prefer to wait and pay cash. The
Committee at the last meeting asked for the cost of the pumper without
extra equipment. The Town
Administrator will be able to provide that information on January 14
because new regulations have developed and the Fire Chief is meeting
with a representative to obtain the new requirements as well as the cost
figures. Alfred Hanson asked
if this would go out to bid. Selectman
Carson said policy requires so. The Town Administrator said the
Purchasing Policy also allows for specific vendors.
Information on the grant that was submitted for a pumper will not
be known until midsummer; it is hoped to hear something before Town
Meeting. The final information needed for the
Budget Committee from the Capital Budget is from the Energy Audit and
the latest information on the pumper. Alfred Hanson asked about employees that
are at the top of their wage scale, when do they ever receive a wage
increase. The Town
Administrator explained an increase would happen if the Board of
Selectmen chose to implement a cost of living increase or when the
scales are reviewed and compared with like towns and it is decided an
adjustment should be made. Mr.
Hanson asked what determines like towns, is it size, money etc.
The Town Administrator said towns in the same population group as
well as bordering towns with the understanding that some towns are
richer. 4. Budget Committee Discussion – 2010 Operating Budget Kimberley Edelmann moved to close the
meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion
was not seconded. Martha Bodnarik proposed removing: $1,500 dry cleaning from the Police
Department $3,000 Highway Uniforms The Committee members had discussion on
reviewing the budget line by line, making specific cuts or just cut from
the bottom line. The members
decided to discuss wages. Martha
Bodnarik is recommending no increase in the wage lines.
Alfred Hanson feels that can’t be done because that type of cut
could affect Town services. Kimberley
Edelmann referred to the December 17th meeting minutes where Martha
Bodnarik made a motion to freeze all pay increases, she feels the
original motion should be discussed.
Alfred Hanson asked if the Committee can do that.
Ms. Edelmann says how the Town manages that decrease is up to
them. Marc Violette noted
that the Selectmen presented an operating budget with a 1.81% decrease.
Kimberley Edelmann said the Town of Bradford will not be issuing
pay increases in 2010 but will instead absorb the health care costs for
their employees. She said
that was one of the concerns, by freezing pay increases and increasing
insurance costs basically money is being taken away from the employees.
Pete Newman moved to
freeze all step increases for one year.
Martha Bodnarik seconded the motion.
Kimberley Edelmann asked for clarification.
Martha Bodnarik amended the motion by pushing all step increases
back for one year. Selectman
Hartman said the Committee can only speak about the 2010 budget.
Amendment was seconded. Pete
Newman said Kimberley made a good point about taking money away from the
employees. Chairman Violette
called for a roll call vote: Marc Violette, no; Pete Newman, no;
Selectman Carson, no; Alfred Hanson, no; Kimberley Edelmann, no; Martha
Bodnarik, yes; Richard Cutting, no.
Motion fails. Any budget changes that are made by the
Budget Committee will be indicated on the budget sheet. The Committee continued reviewing the
operating budget by departments beginning with: Selectmen’s Office – no changes Election – no changes Finance Department – no changes Tax Collector – no changes Treasurer – no changes Town Clerk – no changes Trustees of the Trust Funds – no changes Assessing – no changes Legal – no changes Benefits – no changes Land Use – no changes Town Hall – no changes Old Graded School – no changes Cemeteries – no changes Contingency Fund – no changes Police Department – Martha Bodnarik
recommends cutting $1,500 from uniforms for dry cleaning and $600 from
building maintenance that was budgeted for painting the interior.
Alfred Hanson asked the status of hiring a new officer.
The Town Administrator explained that there is money within the
salary line for a new officer at a lower rate of pay.
The first ¼ of the year was removed.
Fire Department – Alfred Hanson has a
concern about the ambulance, he feels that there may not be enough money
budgeted based on what the Town of Hopkinton billed the Town for 2009.
The Selectmen are continuing negotiations with the Town of
Hopkinton. Next scheduled meeting is January 14th
beginning at 7:00 p.m. The
Committee will vote on any budget changes at the January 14th
meeting. 5. Adjournment A motion was made at 9:05 p.m. to adjourn.
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