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Warner Budget Committee Meeting Minutes January 16, 2006
Meeting opened at 7:05 p.m. In attendance: Mike Cutting – Chairman, Marc Violette, David Karrick, Harold Whittemore, Pete Newman, and Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen. Others present: Selectman David E. Hartman Wendy Pinkham – Finance Director John Dabuliewicz – Conservation Commission Jim McLaughlin – Conservation Commission Martha Mical Peg McLaughlin – Warner Village Water District John Dabuliewicz met with the Budget Committee and read a letter of support from the Conservation Commission regarding the investment of $50,000.00 for the Conservation Fund as follows: Each year in the budget we as a community make declarations of what is important to us. For the past several years we have stated emphatically that appropriating money to the Conservation Fund is an important investment which reflects one reason we all choose to live and raise our families in Warner. In addition to the intrinsic value of respecting our natural resources, from wetland to transitional to upland zones, there are pursuits we all like to enjoy in the woods of Warner. As I look around this room I see folks who enjoy our open spaces. Some of you like to hike, bike or simply walk the dog. Others hunt, fish, ski, or snowshoe. The Trail Snails help us all by maintaining the many snowmobile trails. Still others go birding or scouting our treasury of wildlife like turtles, deer, coyotes, bear, moose, deer and more. The spiritual nourishment of Warner’s undeveloped places is inestimable. Keeping open space also means preserving agricultural lands and renewable forest resources as well, which bring an economic as well as aesthetic return. We will always have to expend tax dollars to replace highway equipment, police cruisers, fire trucks and buildings. But once we as a community invest in open space, with one-time expenditures, the land will be there to offer our grandchildren’s grandchildren the same experience we have had while living here. Most of the money in the conservation fund is used to negotiate and acquire easements from willing landowners. They are your neighbors and acquaintances who share a desire to keep Warner the beautiful place it is. Making this investment is just as important as tending to our services and infrastructure. The capital improvements plan calls for a $50,000 per year investment in conservation funding. The Budget Committee should, like the Selectmen, vote to support that investment by recommending adding at least another $50,000.00 to the Conservation Fund. The reaction of the voters at Town Meeting to appropriate money for the Conservation Fund is clear of the Towns support. Marc Violette explained that the Budget Committee has worked to maintain a certain level increase in the budget. The Budget Committee agrees to support the $50,000.00 for Conservation Commission, but would the Conservation Commission consider declining additional funding if so moved from the floor at Town Meeting. Mr. Dabuliewicz will consider but is not inclined to go with that if someone at Town Meeting wants to increase the funding for conservation, and would like to further discuss such a request with the Conservation Commission members. Selectman Eigabroadt asked what the Commission envisions as being enough money per year and for how long. John explained that in his view he sees the funding continuing for as many years as there is land that people want to protect. John further explained that all easements involve various levels of contribution from the landowner; full price has never been paid. John explained future easements to the Committee. Peg McLaughlin explained that the Warner Village Water District Commissioners have raised the salary figures, also added is pay back for the Mill Street project, the total amounts to an additional $11,241.00. The Committee asked what the impact would be to the Precinct if the Town pushes the Mill Street project out one year. Peg explained that there are no requirements for the money, and the money could be invested. The Mill Street project will be presented on the Precincts warrant. The Committee asked for a projected tax rate for 2006 on February 2, 2006. The Committee reviewed revenue:
Selectman Eigabroadt reviewed some changes within the 2006 proposed budget:
The proposed 2006 budget reflects a 2.99% increase from last year including fuel. The Mill Street project was discussed and it is agreed that the project still needs another year for proper planning. A warrant article will be presented for an additional $100,000.00 to be added to the Road Construction Fund. The Committee will begin to approve the presented budgets on February 19, 2006. The January 23rd meeting has been changed to the January 30, 2006. Motion to adjourn at 8:34 p.m.
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