Meeting opened at 7:00 p.m.

In attendance: Mike Cutting – Chairman, Marc Violette, Chris Perkins, David Karrick, Pete Newman, Jere Henley, Harold Whittemore and Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt

Others present:

Selectman David E. Hartman Jim McLaughlin

Selectman Richard A. Cook Rebecca Courser

Laura Buono – Town Administrator Wendy Pinkham – Finance Director

Judith Rogers – Town Clerk John Dabuliewicz

Barbara Annis Lynn Perkins

Marc Violette made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated January 19, 2006. Chris Perkins seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Mike Cutting summarized the budget process this year. The Budget Committee first developed a bottom line budget that included a 3% increase. The goal was presented to the Selectmen who then returned to the Committee a budget that amounted to a 3.01% overall increase. The revenue projection amount to a 6.1% increase. Mr. Cutting commended the Board of Selectmen for their co-operation between the Selectmen’s Office and the Budget Committee. The operating budget was challenged with rising fuel costs this year along with a substantial increase that is allotted to the Library ($41,000.00 increase this year which is calculated from the Town’s value).

Public Hearing

John Dabuliewicz asked what the estimated total cost is for the upcoming evaluation that would start in 2009. Martha Mical, Assessing Clerk estimates $200,000.00. John also asked if the increase in the wage line is a result of having the wage scale. Mike Cutting explained that a 2.75% cost of living increase was applied this year along with two employees receiving a wage adjustment.

Barbara Annis asked why the East Roby Road Construction is not funded. Mike explained that Emergency Management Director Ed Mical has been working with FEMA for a 75/25 grant, if the grant is approved the money in reserve will cover the Towns portion. If the grant is not approved the Town will move forward and re-establish the funding for the project. Barbara asked why the budget does not indicate income earned from the fire department tanker grant that was not approved in 2005. The Finance Director explained that budget does reflect income earned. Selectman Eigabroadt added that if the grant is not approved the fire department will be asking the Town for the full amount to purchase next year.

Lynn Perkins asked what justifies the purchases of these fire trucks; do we have the fire calls that demand the equipment? Mike Cutting explained that it’s not the number of calls it’s the age of equipment, the vehicle that is being replaced is over 20 years old (1964). The vehicle is beginning to need more and more repairs and parts are harder to find.

Mike Cutting explained that homeowners insurance is rated by the number of gallons that can be supplied to a fire.

Lynn Perkins asked that since the town has mutual aid, why does each town need 3 tankers. Why can’t these pieces of equipment be spread out amongst the towns that are part of the mutual aid. Mike said that they are spread out. Each town determines what is appropriate. Laura Buono added that mutual aid is not set up to be the first response, its important to realize that the aid may not be available; you need to be able to function with that notion.

Jere Henley explained that the tanker that is slated for replacement has been in service for many years. The number of hours the engine runs the pump at a fire does not equate to the actual mileage. Even with the tanker sitting, the rubber ages and rust begins. The tanker is also slated to be transferred to the Highway Department to be used as a water truck in the summer.

Jim McLaughlin asked the Committee to explain what the Exit 9 intersection traffic light is. Mike explained that the Planning Board, through studies (traffic study & Charrette), has learned that there is a need for a traffic light at that intersection.

John Dabuliewicz asked what the significant difference was that increased Income from Departments. Finance Director, Wendy Pinkham explained there was a full year for dumpster reimbursements and there was an increase in reimbursements from Waste Management (Market Basket). It is also a common practice to be conservative on the revenue projections.

Jim McLaughlin noted that the funding for the Fire Department Building/Renovation fund has been lowered to $70,000.00. Mike Cutting explained that the $70,000.00 is a created number. The fire department has been asked what the cost will be for a new station. It’s inevitable the town will need a new station; the goal was to fund the project while maintaining our goal of a 3% increase to the budget. Mr. McLaughlin said that the town should be looking at building a station with a bond rather than trying to pay for the building. Mike added that there are two issues within the town that need to be addressed, one is road construction and the other is a new fire station. The Selectmen are looking to establish a committee to look at the total infrastructure and begin bonding multiple projects. Selectman Eigabroadt added that the fire department building will be part of the committee. It was felt though that money would be needed for engineering studies; the fire department did present their estimate in the amount of 1.8 million for a new building.

Rebecca Courser commented that past projects had a laid out plan. We are funding a project knowing that it is coming, and not knowing what it is going to look like, but we have an estimate of 1.8 million. What is the estimate based on, is it square footage, the need for future equipment etc. Selectman Eigabroadt understands the figure was based on square footage; the estimate is a rough estimate.

Marc Violette added that when the current fire department was expanded that was completed with donated labor and funding from Foliage Festival.

Barbara Annis commented that there are a number of articles in the Capital Improvements program and the Master Plan that over the years the Selectmen ignored. There are residents on Kearsarge Mountain Road that have no way to evacuate if there is an emergency. The whole picture needs to be looked at for the welfare and safety of the town’s citizens. Selectman Eigabroadt assured Barbara that Kearsarge Mountain Road will be part of the committee’s agenda.

David Karrick commented that next year the revenue should be looked at more closely where everyone is carrying their load as far as taxes or revenue in lieu of taxes (tax exempt properties). Rebecca Courser added that the Barn Sale at the Historical Society prevents a lot of stuff going to the Transfer Station.

Mike Cutting closed the public hearing at 7:49 p.m.

David Karrick made the motion to accept the 2006 Warner Village Water District budget in the amount of $512,192.00. Marc Violette seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Marc Violette made the motion to accept the 2006 Warner Village Water District revenue projections in the amount of $363,143.00. David Karrick seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Mike Cutting opened the Public Hearing for Warner Village Water District at 7:52 p.m.

John Dabuliewicz asked about $100,000.00 that will be raised through taxation. Will it be raised through taxation this year? Peg McLaughlin explained that a note has been applied for; part of the note will be paid back this year. The main expense is the Mill Street project. Marc Violette asked if the increase for the precinct tax has been figured. It will be approximately$2.79, however if the Mill Street project is not completed it will be $1.49.

The Selectmen approached the Budget Committee about moving the Denny Hill/School Street project to Mill Street. The Denny Hill/School Street project was not completed due to scheduling problems with the contractor. During this waiting period it is felt by the Director of Public Works that Mill Street has moved into a priority due to safety concerns. The water & sewer pipes are from the 1800’s and the Precinct was able to obtain funding for the project at a low rate. Also, it’s not to say that the Denny Hill/School Street will not be completed, this project could be bundled with a number of projects to be completed in one step. The Budget Committee’s position is that Board of Selectmen’s decision to switch projects must be explained at Town Meeting.

Barbara Annis asked if the money allocated at Town Meeting was put in a specific fund. Mike explained that the money is in a general road reconstruction fund. The monies intent was explained at Town Meeting. Selectman Eigabroadt explained that the change of projects will be explained at Town Meeting. Barbara then asked what the intent is for the culvert that is sitting across the road from her house. Selectman Hartman explained that the culvert will be replaced to accommodate volumes of water.

Jere Henley commented that the Mills Street project moved ahead of schedule for the Precinct when they learned they could obtain funding at a reasonable rate.

Peg McLaughlin explained that the Mill Street project is a warrant article in the annual meeting for the Village District, $167,000.00 is the Precincts portion of the project.

Mike Cutting closed the Public Hearing for the Water District at 8:10 p.m.

The next scheduled meeting is February 9, 2006, petition articles will be reviewed along with any final recommendations.

Motion to adjourn 8:21 p.m.