|
Warner Budget Committee Meeting Minutes Meeting
opened at In
attendance: Marc Violette – Chairman
Mike Cutting
Alfred Hanson
Martha Bodnarik
Richard Cutting
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, John Dabuliewicz, Ed Mical, Jim
McLaughlin, Peg McLaughlin, Marianne Howlett, Judy Newman-Rogers 1.
Meeting Minutes A motion was made and seconded to approve
meeting minutes date 2. Public Hearing Chairman Violette opened the hearing for public comments. Article 19 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $376,541.00 (Three Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Five Hundred
Forty One Dollars) for the purpose of purchasing a pumper truck for
the Fire Department. Of that
sum, $357,713.00 (Three Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Seven Hundred
Thirteen Dollars) to come from a fire grant and to authorize the Board
of Selectmen to withdraw $16,828.00 (Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred
Twenty Eight Dollars) from the Fire/Rescue Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund
for the remainder? Article 20 Shall the Town vote to authorize the
Selectmen to enter into a 15-year lease purchase agreement containing an
escape clause, in the amount of $376,541.00 (Three Hundred Seventy Six
Thousand Five Hundred Forty One Dollars) for the purpose of
purchasing a pumper truck for the Fire Department and to raise and
appropriate the amount of $15,860.00 (Fifteen Thousand Eight Hundred
Sixty Dollars) for the first six month’s of payments for that purpose?
John Dabuliewicz asked what the “escape
clause” means in Article 20. The
Town Administrator explained that it is also known as the non-probation
clause which all municipal contracts are required to have in order to
enter into multi-year contracts so if for some reason funding is not
received the leased item can be returned.
Jim McLaughlin asked about Article 19
which is also for a new pumper.
Mike Cutting explained that Article 19 is in place in case the
grant for the pumper is approved. Article
20 allows the Town to enter into a lease agreement if the grant is not
approved. The grant approval
may not be known until September 2010, also there is no pre-payment
penalty if the grant is approved after initiating financing.
The Town Administrator said if grant approval is still unknown at
the time of Town Meeting a motion can be made on the floor to amend
Article 20 to read “if the grant
is not received by September 30th the Selectmen will have the
authority to enter into financing the pumper”.
Mike Cutting recommends adding that verbiage to Article 20. Kimberley Edelmann noticed the zoning
articles have rationales and she asked if it is possible to do the same
for the financial articles. Selectman
Hartman explained that the zoning articles are voted upon without
debate; during the Town Meeting the financial articles are debated.
After discussion it was decided not to add
a date deadline to Article 20 but to add “if
the grant is not received within 2010”.
Article 8 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $ 2,842,824.00 (Two Million Eight Hundred Forty Two Thousand
Eight Hundred Twenty Four Dollars) as a 2010 Operating Budget?
This amount does not include amounts from any other warrant
articles. No discussion. Article 9 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $15,000.00 (Fifteen Thousand) to add to the already established
Police Department Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund? No discussion. Article 10 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the
Conservation Fund in accordance with RSA 36-A:5, III as an additional
source of revenue for the purpose of conserving open land in Warner?
Richard Cutting recommended removing the article in its entirety;
he feels the $20K could be used elsewhere.
Richard also feels the Bower conservation project is not a
reasonable project. Kimberley
Edelmann explained that the $20K is not for a specific project, she also
understands that the Bower project will continue even if the $20K is not
funded. The recollection of
the $20K for the Bower project was debated.
Conservation Commission member John Dabuliewicz explained the
Commission does not have enough funding in the Conservation Fund to
cover their part of the Bower project if the $20K is not approved. Alfred
Hanson asked if the $20K is not approved at Town Meeting are there other
grants available for the Bower project.
Conservation Commission member Jim McLaughlin said the Commission
would probably turn to a public fund raising effort.
Mr. Dabuliewicz said that a full explanation for the $20K will be
presented at Town Meeting. Article 11 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $200,000.00 (Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already established Highway
Road Construction Capital Reserve Fund?
No discussion. Article 12 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty
Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already established Highway
Equipment Capital Reserve Fund? No discussion. Article 13 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $30,000.00 (Thirty
Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already established Property
Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund? No discussion. Article 14 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $5,000.00 (Five Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
existing Exit 9 Improvements Capital Reserve Fund? Alfred Hanson asked
how much money is in the reserve. The
Town Administrator said there is $5K.
No further discussion. Article 15 Shall the Town establish a Capital Reserve
Fund for the purpose of Dry Hydrants and to raise and appropriate the
sum of $25,000.00 (Twenty Five Thousand Dollars) to be added to that
fund and to appoint the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend? Someone
asked how many dry hydrants are there currently.
Ed Mical explained in 2009 four dry hydrants were installed at
designated sites, Pleasant Pond, Schoodac Brook on Article 16 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Bridge Replacement & Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund?
No discussion. Article 17 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $37,500.00 (Thirty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) for the
purpose of purchasing emergency generators?
John Dabuliewicz asked if the generators will be portable.
It was explained they will be permanently installed at the Fire
Station and the Town Hall. Alfred
Hanson said he understood the $37,500 was only for one generator at the
Fire Department. Selectman
Karrick explained that there is a possibility of obtaining a grant.
If the grant is approved the $37,500.00 will be used to purchase
two generators, if the grant is not approved the $37,500.00 will be used
to purchase one generator for the Fire Department only.
Mr. Hanson asked why the grant is not mentioned in the article.
The Town Administrator explained past discussion by the Selectmen
resulted in not wanting the Fire Department generator contingent upon a
grant, they felt it was important enough to purchase even without the
grant. The grant wording
makes the article contingent. It
was decided to place parentheses around the s on generators. Article 18 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) for the purpose of Town Hall
Roof Repairs? No discussion. Article 21 Shall the Town vote to take ownership of
and accept responsibility for the care and maintenance of the Martha Bodnarik asked how much surplus was
applied to the tax rate. The
Town Administrator said $35K. She also asked if the maintenance line in
the Fire Department was lowered by half the cost to paint the interior
because half the painting was completed in 2009.
The Town Administrator said $2,500 was removed from the
maintenance line. John Dabuliewicz commented on the
reduction in the benefits line in the amount of $28K.
The Town Administrator said the reduction is due to plan changes
and employee contribution. 3. Public Hearing Closed At 4. Vote Mike Cutting moved
to approve the 2010 operating budget in the amount of $2,842,824.00.
Kimberley Edelmann seconded the motion.
Martha Mical noted to the Budget Committee that they need to
recommend not approve the operating budget, so noted by the Chairman.
Richard Cutting would like to see a reduction in the Highway
Department salt line; he feels there is excessive use of the material.
Mike Cutting is not in favor of reducing the line because of the
unpredictable season. If
there are residents having issues with too much salt they should contact
the Selectmen. No motion was
made to reduce the salt line. Chairman
Violette called for a vote on the motion; all were in favor, the motion
passed. Mike Cutting moved
to recommend Article 9 for $15K.
Motion was seconded; all were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 10 for $20K.
Vote was taken; 4 in favor, 4 opposed.
After a lengthy discussion Selectman Carson moved
to have the vote indicated in the Town Report.
Motion was seconded; all were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 11 for $200K.
All were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 12 for $50K.
All were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 13 for $30K.
Alfred Hanson asked if this money is for the next revaluation.
He also asked how much is left over from the current revaluation.
Martha Mical said the amount is not known yet, there are unknown
administrative costs. All
were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 14 for $5K.
All were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 15 for $25K. Mike
Cutting confirmed the word “install” would be added between of and
dry hydrants. All were
in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 16 for $50K.
All were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 17 for $37,500.
Mike Cutting confirmed that parentheses will be placed around the
letter s on hydrants. All were in favor, the motion passed. A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 18 for $50K.
Mike Cutting confirmed that this is a final repair.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Article 19 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $376,541.00 (Three Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Five Hundred
Forty One Dollars) for the purpose of purchasing a pumper truck for
the Fire Department. Of that
sum, $357,713.00 (Three Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Seven Hundred
Thirteen Dollars) to come from a fire grant and to authorize the Board
of Selectmen to withdraw $16,828.00 (Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred
Twenty Eight Dollars) from the Fire/Rescue Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund
for the remainder? A motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 19 for $376,541.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Article 20 Shall the Town vote to authorize the
Selectmen to enter into a 15-year lease purchase agreement containing an
escape clause, in the amount of $376,541.00 (Three Hundred Seventy Six
Thousand Five Hundred Forty One Dollars) for the purpose of
purchasing a pumper truck for the Fire Department and to raise and
appropriate the amount of $15,860.00 (Fifteen Thousand Eight Hundred
Sixty Dollars) for the first six month’s of payments for that purpose?
A motion
was made and seconded to recommend Article 20 for $376,541.
Mike Cutting asked how this article will be re-worded.
The Town Administrator said she will add the following: If
the grant in Article 19 is not received shall the Town vote to authorize
the Selectmen… as well as removing the words escape clause and
changing to verbiage to non-appropriation clause.
Martha Bodnarik recommends adding a date.
After debating a date it was decided to add “if
not received by Kimberley Edelmann said Article 19 is
short by $2K. The Town
Administrator will make the correction. Article 19 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the
sum of $376,541.00 (Three Hundred Seventy Six Thousand Five Hundred
Forty One Dollars) for the purpose of purchasing a pumper truck for
the Fire Department. Of that
sum, $357,713.00 (Three Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Seven Hundred
Thirteen Dollars) to come from a fire grant and to authorize the Board
of Selectmen to withdraw $18,828.00 (Eighteen Thousand Eight Hundred
Twenty Eight Dollars) from the Fire/Rescue Vehicle Capital Reserve Fund
for the remainder? A motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 19 for $376,541.
All were in favor, the motion passed. At Chairman Violette re-opened the meeting at Article 21 Shall the Town vote to take ownership of
and accept responsibility for the care and maintenance of the 5. Revenue’s Mike Cutting moved
to recommend 2010 estimated revenues amounting to $1,323,263.58.
Motion was seconded. The
Committee verified the grant amounts.
No further discussion, all were in favor, the motion passed. 6. Warner Village Water District Mike Cutting moved to recommend the
General Government budget in the amount $106,590, Sewer System budget in
the amount of $186,475, Water System budget in the amount of $51,500,
total debt in the amount of $58,392 and Capital Outlay in the amount of
$24,983 which combined totals $427,940.
Motion was seconded. Jim
McLaughlin asked if this was a Public Hearing.
Motion was withdrawn. Chairman Violette opened the Public
Hearing at No questions from the public.
Martha Bodnarik commented positively on the budget format.
Chairman Violette closed the Public Hearing at Mike Cutting moved
to recommend the General Government budget in the amount $106,590, Sewer
System budget in the amount of $186,475, Water System budget in the
amount of $51,500, total debt in the amount of $58,392 and Capital
Outlay in the amount of $24,983 which combined totals $427,940. Motion
was seconded. No further
discussion. All were in
favor, the motion passed. 7. Adjournment At
|