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Warner Budget Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 23, 2010 The Budget Committee met at The organizational meeting opened at In attendance: Marc Violette, Mike Cutting, Alfred Hansen, Martha
Bodnarik, Kimberley Edelmann, Paul DiGeronimo, Peter Savlen – Warner
Village Water Precinct Representative and Selectman Clyde Carson Others present: Laura Buono – Town Administrator, Martha Mical, Ed
Mical 1. Elect Chairman and Vice
Chairman Kimberley Edelmann moved
to nominate Marc Violette as Chairman.
Mike Cutting seconded the motion.
All were in favor, the motion passed. Martha Bodnarik moved
to nominate Mike Cutting as Vice Chairman.
Kimberley Edelmann seconded the motion.
All were in favor, the motion passed.
2. Year to Date Revenues The Committee began by reviewing the year to date revenues: o
Interest & Penalties on Delinquent Taxes –
(estimated @ $60K, actual to date $48,387) Martha Bodnarik commented
that the actual amount taken in is high based on the $60K estimate; she
asked if the tax payments are spaced out.
The Town Administrator said no, it depends when the delinquent
taxes are paid. Peter
Savlen asked what the interest rate is.
The Town Administrator said 18%. o
Kimberley Edelmann asked if the Town is expecting any
surprises from the State as far as not receiving money that was
expected. The Town
Administrator said not this year, but in 2011 it is quite possible to
see revenue cuts from the State. The
Town Administrator added that the Town will see an extra expense in 2011
for retirement. o
Mike Cutting asked what the Town has received in grant
revenues (estimated @ $771,362, actual to date $506,795).
The Town Administrator said most of the revenue is for the pumper
because there were two warrants; money has been received for the o
Interest on Investments – (estimated @ $4,000, actual to
date $791.67) Martha Bodnarik noted that the actual amount is much lower
than estimated; she asked if it is because interest is not coming in as
well. The Town Administrator
said the figure has been lowered as the economic times continue.
o
The 2010 estimated revenues amount to $1,686,912.58. o
Total for estimated revenues as of 3. Year to Date Budget Review o
Chairman Violette asked the Town Administrator if there
are any concerns that should be noted.
The Town Administrator feels there are no concerns at this time,
she has asked the Department Heads to look at their budget and provide
an estimate as to where they feel their budgets will fall at the end of
the year; Selectmen Carson requested this information.
The Town Administrator also added that the tonnage at the
Transfer Station is lower which will result in a under spent line item.
There are a couple of insurance lines that have been overspent.
Overall the Town Administrator feels the 2010 budget is in good
shape. o
Chairman Violette asked if record preservation ($10,000)
will occur this year. The
Town Administrator said yes, by the end of the year and paid from the
2010 budget. o
Kimberley Edelmann asked when the ambulance fee will be
paid. The Town Administrator
explained that the Town has paid a portion of the 2009 bill with a
resolution in process. Selectman
o
Mike Cutting asked why the Assessing budget is only at
42%. Martha Mical, Assessing
Clerk, explained that the bulk of her hours this year were paid from the
revaluation account. Alfred
Hanson asked why the Assessing Clerks hours are being paid from the
revaluation account. Martha
Mical explained the reason she identifies her hours during a revaluation
is for obtaining a true cost; in 2010 she spent 325 hours on the
revaluation. o
Martha Bodnarik asked why the cost for water and sewer is
so high at the Town Hall. The
Town Administrator said there has been a lot of activity at the Town
Hall and grass was planted and watered.
The Town Administrator has thought of asking the Warner Village
Water District to reduce the bill in swap for the office space that is
provided for their Administrative Assistant.
o
Kimberley Edelmann asked the Town Administrator if the
Department Heads have any issues with their budgets this year.
The Town Administrator said the Department Heads always live
within their budgets. Money
could always be used in certain areas where costs have gone up such as
paving. Also, the Police
Department is hopeful in having a full time officer on staff in October;
there will be funds left over because the position was budgeted from
April. o
Mike Cutting asked when the paving will be completed in
front of the Town Hall. The
Town Administrator said the paving will be completed in a couple of
weeks. Alfred Hanson asked
why the Town did not pay the State to pave that section while they were
there paving route 103. The
Town Administrator said she understands what Mr. Hanson is saying but
the Town did attempt to work together, unfortunately there were too many
people involved. Selectman 4. General Business Selectman Selectman Selectman Chairman Violette and Mike Cutting will
meet with the Town Administrator and create a preliminary meeting
schedule for the Budget Committee. Mike
Cutting asked the members what days work for them.
Alfred Hanson said Thursday’s, everyone else is flexible.
The Town Administrator said the Town Hall is more available on
Tuesday’s (opposite Selectmen) and Thursday’s.
Kimberley Edelmann confirmed that when the
Selectmen meet with the Department Heads the meetings are open to the
public. Ms. Edelmann
encouraged the BC members to sit in on some of the work sessions for
observation purposes. Ms.
Bodnarik said in the past the Department Heads liked the opportunity to
present their budget a second time to the Budget Committee in case they
didn’t get across everything they wanted to the Selectmen or if they
altered their view on what they wanted.
At a previous meeting the BC limited their meetings to go no
later than Kimberley Edelmann asked if the Selectmen
have any guidelines that they have presented to the Department Heads.
Selectman Mike Cutting asked what the assessments
look like after the revaluation. The
Assessing Clerk said the assessments are 6 million dollars down. At
Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording Secretary |