Warner Budget Committee

Meeting Minutes

April 28, 2008

 

Meeting opened at 7:00 p.m.

In attendance:   Mike Cutting

                        Marc Violette - Chair

                        Clyde Carson

                        John Warner – Vice Chair

                        Harold Whittemore

                        David Karrick Jr. – Selectman’s Representative  

Others present:

Laura Buono – Town Administrator

David E. Hartman – Selectman

Brenda O’Brien

Ed Mical  

1. Elect Chairman  & Vice Chairman

Mike Cutting moved to nominate Marc Violette as Chairman.  All were in favor of the nomination. The motion passed.  

Marc Violette nominated John Warner as Vice Chair.  All were in favor of the nomination.  The motion passed.  

2. Vacancy – One Year Term

The Committee received two Volunteer Interest Forms one from Mike Rogers the other from Brenda O’Brien.  Both candidates feel they can make significant contributions.  Ms. O’Brien was in attendance and briefly expanded on her interest; she is interested in the Town’s spending and increasing the Town’s revenue.  Mike Cutting asked Ms. O’Brien if she has any conflict with any of the Town staff, she said no.  Selectman Karrick noted to the members that Mr. Rogers is related to a Town employee; the Committee feels this could be a conflict.   

Mr. Violette opened the floor for nominations.  Mr. Cutting moved to nominate Brenda O’Brien as a member of the Budget Committee for a one year term.  Motion was seconded; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

3. 2008/2009 Budget Process

The Committee will begin by touring the departments in August.  Meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m. Mr. Violette and Mr. Warner will create a meeting schedule.  

4. Budget Year to Date

Ms. Buono explained the areas that are being watched closely which are fuel and part-time labor for the Highway Department.  Mr. Carson asked how much of the Highway Department budget is for snow removal.  Ms. Buono said it is dictated by the weather, past years it’s been flooding.  Mr. Carson asked when a budget runs high early in the year does that mean some of the planned projects are put on hold.  Ms. Buono said yes, the Director of Public Works will stay on top of any priorities.  Selectman Karrick asked if money is needed for the Highway Department budget will it could come from the general fund.  Ms. Buono explained the worst case scenario for going over the bottom line of the budget would be to petition the Department of Revenue Administration, hold a public hearing asking to apply extra revenues to the bottom line.  To date 27.3% of the budget has been spent.  

Mr. Cutting asked if the Ambulance invoice could be paid in two payments instead of one.  Ms. Buono explained that the ambulance is billed once a year.  

Mr. Carson asked about the role of the Budget Committee and does the Committee get involved in how to address continuing rising costs such as fuel.  Mr. Violette explained the Budget Committee’s role is more of a check and balance, as the Committee moves into the budget process input will be presented to the Selectmen for them to consider.  The Budget Committee has always encouraged the Selectmen not to spend to the bottom line.  Another tool that is used is the Capital Improvements Program.  

The Committee asked the about the status on the Connors Mill Bridge .  Selectman Hartman attended a meeting with the State and learned that the project will not be completed this year, approvals from the State are lagging.  Mr. Mical explained that a bridge was proposed to the State, when FEMA reviewed the project after the flood it was for replacing a culvert.  Permission was needed from the State through Emergency Management to be able to do the bridge project.  The Town has asked the State to approve the bridge as an improved project so that the money that was allocated to replace the culvert would go towards the bridge.  The Town is still working with the State to recognize the FEMA money as the Town’s money and to not take the FEMA money off the top of the project amount.  The current bridge rental will cost $1,200 for this year.  Mr. Cutting asked if the project will be affected by escalating construction costs, especially waiting one more year.  Ms. Buono said unfortunately the Town cannot make the State move any faster, with the escalating construction costs maybe labor will be down where there will be more companies looking for work.   The State did discuss going out to bid this year so construction may begin in the beginning of the season next year.  

Selectman Hartman explained the status of the State owned property where the Transfer Station is located.  The State will sell the property for $106K or lease the property for $20,500 per year for five years.  The Town asked the State to reconsider the comparables used in the appraisal because the property has no road frontage, the State supports their comparables.  The Town has since contacted a local realtor as well as the Town’s State Representative. The current lease expires December 2008.  

The Committee reviewed the year to date revenues.  Mr. Carson asked with the economy as it is, is there an expected impact to Warner with the rise in foreclosures and property taxes.  Mr. Violette feels there would be more of an impact to the motor vehicle revenues and building permits.  Ms. Buono explained in foreclosures the banks usually pay the taxes.   

5. Budget Process 2009

Mr. Violette said last year the Selectmen presented their budget to the Budget Committee first and then based on a percentage of an increase discussed will begin at the point of presentation.   

6. Next Scheduled Meeting

July 28th is schedule for facility tours.   

7. Capital Improvements Program Representative

A member from the committee will need to be appointed as representative to the CIP.   

8. General Business

Selectman Hartman encouraged the new members to attend available training for Budget Committee members.

Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary