Warner Budget Committee

Meeting Minutes

Thursday, January 14, 2010

 

Meeting opened at 7:08 p.m.

In attendance:   Marc Violette – Chairman

                        Mike Cutting

                        Kimberley Edelmann

                        Alfred Hanson

                        Martha Bodnarik

                        Richard Cutting

                        Clyde Carson – Selectman’s Representative

                        Pete Newman – Warner Village Water District Representative

Absent:             None                

Others present: Selectman David Karrick, Jr., Selectman David E. Hartman, Laura Buono – Town Administrator, Martha Mical, Marianne Howlett, Jim McLaughlin, John Dabuliewicz, Nancy Martin, Jeanne Hand, Jim Hand, Ed Mical  

1. Meeting Schedule

The Committee canceled the February 4th Public Hearing and rescheduled for February 9th, February 11th is scheduled for the final vote.  

2. Meeting Minutes

Motion was made and seconded to approve meeting minutes dated January 6, 2010 .  Spelling corrections for Edelmann and Bower were made throughout the minutes. Jeanne Hand asked why the minutes were not the website.  The Chairman said minutes do not appear on the website until they are approved.   All were in favor, the motion passed.  

3. Conservation Commission

Conservation Commission member Jim McLaughlin met with the Budget Committee and reported that the Conservation Commission would like to lower their original request of $30K for the Conservation Fund to $20K.  Part of the reduction is due to additional grant money that Commission member Brian Hotz was able to secure as well as being awarded a grant from the Land & Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) for the Town of Warner and Sutton in the amount of $138,500; this money will secure the proposed Bower project.  The Commission is asking the Budget Committee to consider a favorable recommendation on a revised warrant article for $20K.   

Martha Bodnarik said that she spoke in opposition to the Commission on January 6th, but this week because the money is marked for a specific project and is now obtainable through grant money she no longer has opposition to the $20K.  

Marc Violette is concerned that the Commission met with the Budget Committee on January 6th, then after, on the same evening was able to find an additional grant.   Mr. McLaughlin said it wasn’t until after the Budget Committee meeting that it was learned about the additional funds.  Martha Bodnarik asked what the amount is for the additional grant.  Nancy Martin explained the amount received was $41K which is earmarked for the survey and the paperwork on the Bower project.  Martha Bodnarik asked if any of the $41K could be used instead of asking for an additional $20K without damaging the earmark.  Answer was unclear on the audio, but Ms. Bodnarik said she still does not have any opposition to the $20K.   

Alfred Hanson confirmed that the Town of Sutton is on board with the Bower project.  Mr. McLaughlin said the money needs to be approved by the Sutton voters.  If Sutton votes down the approval, Sutton will use funds from their Conservation Fund.  Kimberley Edelmann noted that the Town of Sutton is not voting on the concept, either way the project will be funded.  Ms. Edelmann pointed out that at the last meeting, the Budget Committee was told one of the reasons why the Commission considered the Bower project is because the farm is at risk and financial help is needed to keep the farm in business; she asked if there are other ways to help keep the farm in business.  Ms. Edelmann feels this project is coming across as farm aide.  Mr. Dabuliewicz explained that it was the conservation values that attracted LCHIP to this project other than farming; the farming is an addition.  The Bower project also fits in with the conservation plan.  The owner is giving up development rights to the land.  Ms. Edelmann asked if the owner is giving up the farming rights.  The answer was no.  Ms. Edelmann said that means a business can run on conservation land which does not allow public access.  Mr. Dabuliewicz said that is dependent upon the language of the easement.   Ms. Edelmann feels without knowing the language of the easement that makes it difficult for the Committee to make a decision to support the $20K.  Mr. Dabuliewicz said the Budget Committee is being asked to support the $20K for other projects as well, to fund the Conservation Fund.  

Alfred Hanson feels the warrant article should indicate what the $20K is being used for; he feels there are residents who are beginning to question what is exactly happening with land conservation.  John Dabuliewicz said the Commission always presents an explanation at Town Meeting.   

Martha Bodnarik said she is in favor of the $20K because there is a project in the works.  She said because of the economy she would not be in favor of funding future projects at this time.  

Mike Cutting knows that there are always projects that can be funded, but he wonders when it stops.  Nancy Martin said it stops when conservation no longer becomes a priority for the town.  Mr. Dabuliewicz said the Commission is working towards making their focus clearer.  

Jeanne Hand asked what the cost will be to the taxpayers.  It was explained the Commission is asking for $20K to be placed in the Conservation Fund.  Ms. Hand asked if the town votes on projects, and how much land is already conserved.  It was explained that projects are not voted on. The Commission has just recently published their plan which outlines what is in conservation as well as their future plan.  Ms. Hand asked the Budget Committee why they are voting when they do not know how much land will eventually be conserved.  Ms. Bodnarik repeated what Nancy Martin said, when the town decides to stop conserving.   

4. Operating Budget

The Budget Committee continued reviewing the proposed 2010 budget line by line beginning from where they left off on January 6th with:  

Ambulance billing – In 2009 the town was billed over $80K from the Town of Hopkinton ; Warner at this time is contesting the bill but has encumbered the total amount for 2009.   Mike Cutting said for 2010 the budgeted amount for ambulance is for $45K, he asked if more money should be budgeted.  The Town Administrator explained that past billings averaged out to be $45K and feels this amount will be adequate.  A written contract is being pursued.  

Fire Department – Mike Cutting asked how much was paid in 2009 towards the interior painting; it is understood that half the interior has been completed.  The Town Administrator will obtain the cost for 2009.  

Building Department – no changes  

Emergency Management – no changes  

Highway Department – Alfred Hanson asked what New Equipment covers.  The Town Administrator said such items as chain saws, truck radios etc.  Richard Cutting said along with the price increase for salt he asked if anything has been addressed in what he feels is the inefficient use of the salt product that would save money.  Mr. Violette said inefficiencies are a Selectman function.  Alfred Hanson asked if the reduction in gas and diesel is too low?  The number of gallons is in line with what was used last year.  Mike Cutting asked if the grader operator will be replaced in 2010 and if so, will the budget secure another operator.  The Town Administrator said she has not been made aware the grader operator will be leaving in 2010.  Richard Cutting asked how much labor is not associated directly with highway work.  Ms. Edelmann stated that it was previously established that this data does not exist.  Selectman Karrick explained that the Board of Selectmen will be discussing in the very near future if it makes sense to set up a tracking system for the highway labor line.  Mike Cutting asked about the Block Grant, listed on the revenue sheet is the amount of $121K but in the budget the total amounts to $105K; the Town Administrator will check into that.   

Street Lighting – Mike Cutting recommends verifying if the town needs all the street lights that are in service.  It was also pointed out that even if a street light bulb is not functioning, the town is still paying for it.  

Transfer Station – Alfred Hanson asked why the Transfer Station budget shows a decrease of almost $100K from the last two years.  The Town Administrator said there is now only one full time employee drawing benefits instead of two.  Mr. Hanson asked if this decrease will continue, the Town Administrator said yes.  

Health & Welfare Administration – no change  

Parks & Recreation – Jeanne Hand asked about the proposed $13K mower, it was explained that the mower was not recommended for 2010.  No change.  

Conservation Commission – no change.  

Concluding the review of the operating budget Chairman Violette asked the Board members for any other changes:

Fire Department – Mike Cutting recommends cutting the maintenance line by half if the interior painting has already been halfway completed.  Ed Mical was asked about the status of the painting and he said it was almost halfway complete.  Mr. Cutting recommends reducing the line by $1,500.  

Alfred Hanson asked about Book Preservation.  Martha Mical and Marianne Howlett explained by law records must be preserved; the town is behind on preservation and is working towards preserving both old and new records with a goal to meet in the middle.  Mr. Hanson is concerned this cost could escalate in the future.   

5. Capital Budget

Conservation Commission $30K– The Selectmen said they will be approving the revised request for $20K.  

Bridge Replacement & Maintenance $50K – no change  

Emergency Generator(s) $37,500 – no change  

Dry Hydrants$25K– no change  

Highway Road Construction Capital Reserve Fund $200K- Richard Cutting asked if the reserve is exclusively for contractors cost.  The Selectmen explained the reserve is for the expense for a particular project or projects.  Mr. Cutting later asked if the reason the highway labor is lower is because some of the labor is being used for projects.  Selectman Hartman and the Town Administrator said no and explained to Mr. Cutting how labor is tracked on projects.  

Fire Department – Selectman Karrick said that it has been determined that the 1988 pumper needs to be replaced.  The Selectmen have decided to enter into a lease/purchase agreement to replace the truck.  There is enough money currently in the reserve to cover the first year payment.  The Selectmen have decided also to fund the reserve for future equipment replacement in the amount of $20K. Marc Violette asked how the lease compares to a bond.  Selectman Karrick said it is similar but the lease is a fixed cost every year for a 15 year agreement.  Martha Bodnarik feels the problem with the lease is it becomes buried within the operating budget.  She also feels because it is difficult to reduce the operating budget, after 15 years the cost for the lease will be used for something else.  Selectman Karrick asked Ms. Bodnarik if her preference would be to pay $365K upfront.  The Town Administrator reported the actual cost to be $376K.  Selectman Carson said the intention for the $20K was to have enough added to the Capital Reserve to cover the 5% match for the potential grant for the pumper or to cover the anticipated lease payment.  Mike Cutting asked what the yearly expense will be.  The Town Administrator said for 10 years the annual payment will be $43,586; 15 years - $31,839.  Selectman Hartman said these payments can be indicated within the budget the same as a bond payment; it’s not the intent to bury the payments.  Mr. Hanson confirmed that the vehicle will be purchased and the lease/purchase is arranged through a bank.  He also asked if this vehicle will be custom built.  Ed Mical said instead of a commercial chase, the vehicle is considered custom because of the cab over.  Mike Cutting asked if the $376K includes the equipment.  The Town Administrator explained in order to save money equipment will be salvaged from the 1988 and placed on the new vehicle.  Mr. Hanson asked if the $20K is approved will the pumper purchase move forward.  Selectman Carson said yes, if the grant is not approved the Town will enter into a purchase agreement.  Mr. Hanson asked what happens if the $20K is not approved.   The Town Administrator explained that there is currently enough money in the capital reserve to move forward and the wording for the warrant article could be changed at Town Meeting on the floor to utilize the money from the capital reserve fund.  There will also be two warrant articles, one for the grant and the other for $20K if the grant is not approved.  

Property Revaluation $30K – no change  

Police Department Cruiser $30K – no change  

Town Hall Roof $50K – no change  

The Town Administrator will send the members an estimated tax rate.   

6. Questions  

The Budget Committee asked Jim Hand who sits on the Municipal Budget Committee for the school district how much the school budget increased.  Mr. Hand said the operating budget increased by 2%.  

Jeanne Hand asked if there is any more grant money available for the dry fire hydrants.  Ed Mical said under a different grant category there is a potential for 50%, if a grant is applied the requested $25K will be offset.  

The Chairman informed the members that filing for elected positions opens on January 20th.  

Next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, February 9 beginning at 7:00 p.m. , Public Hearing; final vote on February 11th.  

Martha Mical cautioned about putting numbers out on a tax rate, she reminded the Committee that the Town is currently in the process of a revaluation; the value of the town is still unknown.   

7. Adjournment

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 9:29 p.m.  

     

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary