January 4, 2007

Meeting opened at 7:02 p.m.

In attendance: Mike Cutting - Chair, Marc Violette, Barbara Bartlett, Harold Whittemore, Peter Newman, David Karrick, John Warner and Selectman Richard A. Cook

Absent:

Recorder of the minutes is Mary Whalen  

Others present: Laura Buono – Town Administrator,  Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt,    

Selectman David E. Hartman ,  Peg McLaughlin – Warner Water District, Chris Perkins,
Lynn Perkins – Commissioner, Jim McLaughlin – Warner Water District, Martha Mical,
Marianne Howlett, Ed Mical  

1. MEETING MINUTES  

Marc Violette made a motion to approve meeting minutes dated January 18, 2007 .  Motion seconded.  Selectmen Cook submitted corrections, it was clarified that the meeting was actually a discussion and the meeting actually began at 7:58 p.m. when other members arrived.  All were in favor of the changes.  The motion passed.  

Marc Violette made a motion to approve meeting minutes dated January 22, 2007 .  Motion seconded.  Pete Newman needs to be added to the attendees.  All were in favor of the changes.  The motion passed.  

2. WARNER VILLAGE WATER DISTRICT  

Lynn Perkins explained that the Commissioners met on January 30^th to discuss the well project.  From the discussion the Commissioner’s decided to withdraw the well project and concentrate on the storage tank reducing the cost from $395,000 to $182,000.  The $182,000 will be presented in a warrant asking the Town to approve the expenditure.  Marc asked if the Town does not approve the expenditure what impact it will have on the Precinct.  Lynn explained that the Precinct water will not be impacted if the storage tank is not completed.  Selectman Cook confirmed that if the Town does not approve the article for $182,000 it will then be presented to the Precinct voters.  Marc asked if the Precinct publishes what is going to be on the ballot.  Peg McLaughlin explained that a public hearing has been scheduled for the bond on February 12^th.  Marc asked how the Precinct taxpayers are notified.  Peg explained that a public notice will be in the Concord Monitor, Town Hall, Treatment Plant and Post Office.  Marc asked to have the meeting notice e-mailed to him. The tax impact to the Town of Warner for $182,000 is .65¢ per thousand for one year.  The impact to the Precinct taxpayers if the Town does not approve the $182,000 would be .20¢ per thousand for 30 years. Selectman Eigabroadt added that exaction fees can be charged to the developers at exit 9 to help pay for the water & sewer improvements.  Mike Cutting asked if the Precinct has explored the possibility of exaction fees.  Lynn explained that only in conversation, this is the first project that could demand exaction fees.  Tie in fees in excess of $150,000 could be realized at exit 9 through the new development.  Marc is not in favor of funding a hotel chain that could afford the additional upgrade in the amount of $182,000.  Selectman Cook feels that the Precinct has other options such as the exaction fee or a TIF District, those two options do not require the taxpayer to pay increased amount of taxes, but these options could not be addressed this year.  Lynn added that when the hydrants are flushed at the exit 9 area, Market Basket looses their water, Lynn does not feel a hotel would build knowing this situation exists, the 200,000 gallon tank would alleviate that problem.  Selectman Eigabroadt added that the Planning Board will be scheduling a meeting with an attorney that will offer guidance in regards to an exaction fee program.  Mike Cutting added that when McDonald’s came to Town it was required that they pay for the pumping station and piping with the understanding that McDonald’s could recoup the costs from other businesses tying into the system in the end returning the assets of the pumping station back to the Precinct, why can’t a similar project be accomplished with the new developers at exit 9.  Jim McLaughlin explained because at the time when McDonald’s came in the Precinct did not extend to the exit 9 area.  The addition of the 200,000 gallon tank will improve the service to exit 9 and the whole Precinct.  Mike asked what happens if the Town does not assume the $182,000 along with the Precinct.  Lynn explained $263,000 would be lost in grant money that the Precinct already has.  Selectman Cook added that other options could be researched such as the TIF District the following year.  Lynn added that there is some question on how easy it is for a TIF program to be created.  Selectman Cook said the TIF is a viable option, it may be hard, but it is just as hard to raise people’s tax .65Ë per thousand.  Lynn added that he is on a fixed income himself who has already sacrificed a piece of property to locate the new tank.  Selectman Cook has a concern; there is the possibility of accomplishing what needs to be accomplished without having the taxpayers front the money.   Selectman Hartman believes it would have been wise for the Selectmen to be included in the expansion discussions with the Precinct when it was first discussed.  Discussion should also begin about increasing the tie-in fees, also the Precinct should be discussing right now the possibility of expanding the Precinct with the Selectmen because of the location of the proposed storage tank and the piping that is outside of the limits.   Barbara Bartlett asked why the Precinct did not decide to bond the money if the entire Town is participating.  If the money is paid for in one year and the exaction fees kick in to offset the cost then the taxpayers get nothing back.  Bonding the cost allows the exaction fees to pay off the bond quickly.   

2.      FIRE DEPARTMENT  

Mike informed the Committee members that the Town has received the grant for a new tanker.  There is $100,000 proposed for fire equipment in 2007.   The next vehicle is scheduled for 2014 to replace or refurbish engine 2.  Currently there is $ 39,000 in reserve.  

3.      WARNER VILLAGE WATER DISTRICT 2007 BUDGET  

The Committee needs to either recommend or not recommend the 2007 Warner Village Water District 2007 budget in the amount of $514,441 which includes the $182,000.  Marc Violette moved that the Budget Committee recommend the Warner Village Water District 2007 budget in the amount of $514,441.  Motion seconded by David Karrick.  No further discussion.  Vote taken: 4 opposed, 1 abstained, 3 in favor.  The motion failed.  The Budget Committee does not recommend the 2007 Warner Village Water District budget.  

Marc Violette moved that the Budget Committee recommend the 2007 Warner Village Water District 2007 budget in the amount of $332,441 (minus $182,000).  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  Lynn Perkins explained again that the $182,000 is for the completion of an existing project.  Mike added that originally it was recommended that a 300,000-gallon tank be installed (30-years ago), but at the time only a 90,000 gallon tank could be afforded and this was well before the development of exit 9.  Martha Mical asked if the Budget Committee votes for the $332,441 and then the Town approves the $182,000, can the Precinct accept the money.  Lynn noted for the record that it is not just exit 9 but the fire protection issue that is an important part of the project.  The current system can be drained in 20-minutes if the Fire Department uses the hydrants.   Mike asked if the current system reduces the fire rating in the Town of Warner .  Lynn explained that the Fire Chief says no because the rating looks at the number trucks, the type of trucks, number hydrants etc.  Selectman Hartman added that the original justification for the 300,000-gallon tank 30 years ago was for fire protection.  John Warner is in favor of the project.  No further discussion. Vote taken: 1 in favor, 1 abstained, 6 not in favor.  Motion failed.  

John Warner moved to recommend the 2007 Warner Village Water District 2007 budget in the amount of $514,441.  David Karrick seconded the motion.  John as a Precinct resident added that the project has begun and should be completed.  David Karrick believes the project should be done at some time but does not believe the Town as a whole should pay for the project.  Voting this budget as it stands does not commit the Town as a whole to pay for it.  Selectman Eigabroadt is in favor of allowing the voters to choose if they wish to pay for the project.  Vote taken: 4 not in favor, the motion failed.  

4. WARNER VILLAGE WATER DISTRICT 2007 REVENUE  

David Karrick made the motion to recommend the projected 2007 revenue amount of $397,811.  John Warner seconded the motion.  Vote taken: 1 in favor, the motion failed.  

5. TOWN OF WARNER 2007 BUDGET  

Laura explained that at the bottom of the budget sheet indicates the 2006 Flooding Expenses in the amount of $141,320.10, which has also been added to the year-to-date expenditure.  Mike added that the actual money spent in 2006 amounts to $2,647,532.47, the $141,320.10 (FEMA) was used to offset the expenses from the flooding.  There was $37,278.30 in surplus from the 2006 budget.   

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend $2,733,269.14 for the Town of Warner 2007 budget.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  Laura added that $500 needs to be removed from the PD Office Supplies, bottom line changes to $2,732,769.14.  Marc made a motion to amend the Town of Warner 2007 budget amount to $2,732,769.14.  Harold Whittemore seconded the amendment.  Marc Violette made the motion to reduce the Fire Department wages by $10,000.  The EMT on-call position was budgeted for $16,500 the motion allows $6,500 for any unexpected status change.  David Karrick seconded the motion.  Bottom line now amounts to $2,722,769.14.  The Selectmen previously discussed the on-call position and decided to maintain the $16,500 as requested by the Fire Chief.  Vote taken on $2,732,769.14: All were in favor.  The motion passed.  Vote taken on the $10,000 reduction: 1 opposed, motion passed.  

Harold Whittemore asked when a new fire station would be built in regards to the sprinkler system.  The status is unknown.   

6. WARRANT ARTICLES  

Barbara Bartlett made the motion to recommend $31,150 for a SUV vehicle to be used for the Police Department.  Motion was seconded.  Selectman Cook added that the new fleet management schedule the next 2 cruisers has been increased to 5 years replacement increments.  The SUV would be scheduled for 10 years.  Vote taken: 2 opposed, motion passes.  

Barbara Bartlett made the motion to recommend $50,000 for the Conservation Commission.  David Karrick seconded the motion.  Selectman Cook recused himself.   The Committee asked about upcoming projects.  Jim McLaughlin explained that there is one major project, the third phase of the Courser easement.  Through change of use taxes the Conservation Commission received $33,495. Vote taken: All were in favor, the motion passed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommended $200,000 Road Construction Fund.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend $50,000 for Highway Equipment Reserve Fund. Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend $50,000 for the established property revaluation fund. Selectman Cook seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend $5,000 for the established headstone restoration fund.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

Barbara Bartlett made the motion to recommend $10,000 to be placed in an existing Traffic Light capital reserve fund.  Marc Violette seconded the motion.  The total cost is estimated $140,000, exaction fees could be applied.  Vote taken: 1 opposed, motion passed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend $100,000 to be placed in the established fire equipment reserve fund.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  Selectman Cook added that the Selectmen considered this article before the grant was approved.  Vote taken: All members opposed, motion failed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend the amount of $20,000 to be placed in the established fire equipment reserve fund.  David Karrick seconded the motion.  All were in favor. 1 opposed, the motion passed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend the amount of $20,000 to be drawn from the fire department building renovation fund for the purpose of a sprinkler system.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  Insurance would replace equipment at fair market value.  Vote taken: not recommended.  

David Karrick made the motion to recommend $10,000 for the Transfer Station expansion.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend $3,148,919.14 as the bottom line of the 2007 budget.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  Vote taken: 1 opposed, motion passed.  

7.      TOWN OF WARNER 2007 REVENUES  

Marc Violette made the motion to recommend $1,177,162.47 for 2007 revenues.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

David Karrick made a motion to correct the January 18, 2007 minutes indicating that there is no insurance break for a sprinkler system.  Barbara Bartlett seconded the motion.  All were in favor.  The motion passed.  

Next meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2007  

Motion to adjourn  9:52 p.m.