Meeting opened at 7:05 p.m.

In attendance: Mike Cutting – Chairman, Chris Perkins, Jere Henley, David Karrick, Pete Newman, Marc Violette and Selectmen’s rep Wayne Eigabroadt

Others present:

Harold Whittemore Judith Rogers – Town Clerk

Selectman David E. Hartman Martha Mical – Assessing Clerk

Selectman Richard A. Cook

Wendy Pinkham – Finance Director

David Karrick made the motion to appoint Harold Whittemore as a Budget Committee member until March 7, 2006. Wayne Eigabroadt seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Marc Violette made the motion to approve meeting minutes dated November 7, 2005. Chris Perkins seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Selectman Eigabroadt presented the 2006 budget. Payroll and benefits have been moved to the bottom of the sheets included in the Departments budget. The payroll line on the long sheet is the current payroll numbers the same for the benefits. The Selectmen still need to determine payroll and are looking for advisement from the Budget Committee. Selectman Cook explained that the Selectmen have combined the salary and benefit cost minus retirement for 2005. Salaries cost $1,014,924.00; benefits cost $181,676.00 in 2005 (totaling $1,196,600.00). The Selectmen agreed to keep the total increase to salary & benefits minus retirement to 3.5% ($41,881.00), making the total for 2006 amounting to $1,238,481.00. Health insurance benefit has increased by 7.2% for 2006 ($194,358.00), leaving $29,199.00 for wage increases. The Selectmen agreed to make no changes regarding employee contribution or plan changes for health insurance. This decision was based on information provided by Health Trust.

The Selectmen have not made a decision on how to distribute wage increases.

Chris Perkins asked the Selectmen where the Town Administrator salary is coming from. Selectman Eigabroadt explained that the TA salary plus benefits is separate from the proposed number. There will be at least $30,000.00 encumbered in 2006 to offset the total salary.

Jere Henley commended the Selectmen for keeping within the 3% increase regarding the benefits and being able to maintain 100% coverage, but also feels that the Selectmen have side stepped the issue asking employees to contribute toward health benefits. Mr. Henley encourages the Selectmen this year to look for a way to implement an employee contribution plan, even over a period of years. Mr. Henley also recommended asking the voters for direction to implement a ten year plan. Selectman Eigabroadt explained that when the time becomes necessary to implement employee contribution toward health benefits it will be done so by the Selectmen. Fortunately this year the Board of Selectmen was able to maintain 100% coverage staying within the 3% gap.

Mike Cutting commented that he feels that it is important to allow the voters to decide on employee contribution toward health benefits for two reasons, first of all for the last two years there has been a rotating Board of Selectmen and policy changes, and secondly having a vote from the Town binds every Board of Selectmen in the future.

Selectmen Cook researched other Towns: 70 % pay 100% for health coverage, 17% pay between 91% - 98%, 10% pay between 80% - 87%, and 4% pay 70% (82 Towns ranging in 2,000 – 5,000 in population).

The Finance Director explained that 22 employees pay for dental insurance adding a cost savings in the amount of $19,960.68.

Town Clerk Judith Rogers commented that having the Selectmen combine salary & health benefits in the 3% increase has limited the employees to what they can receive for a wage increase because of the increase in the benefits. Mrs. Rogers reminded the Budget Committee that they wanted the Town Administrator and must have considered the $70,000.00 that was discussed in a number of meetings as and additional expense.

The Committee continued to review the Selectmen’s budget for 2006:

Elections increased by $20.00, the Deputy Town Clerk salary are not included.

Appraisal Review increased by $6,500.00, anticipated Attorney fees

Chris Perkins made the motion to appropriate $900.00 for the Budget Committee line. Marc Violette seconded the motion. All were in favor. The motion passed.

Town Offices Expenses requesting $39,300.00

Postage/Printing Supplies increased by $200.00, anticipated postage increase

Association Dues increased by $150.00

Telephone remained the same

Expense of Town Officers increased by $250.00

Town Report decreased by $400.00

Computer Software decreased by $500.00

Tax Lien Research decreased by $200.00

Town Clerks Expense increased $179.00

Legal decreased to $7,000.00

Planning requesting $27,080.00 includes secretary

Zoning requesting $13,062.00 includes secretary

General Government Town Hall, largest increase is fuel at $1.90 per gallon for oil and $1.29 cap for propane, using the same gallon usage from 2005 fuel oil/propane increased by $3,970.00.

Repairs decreased by $1,000.00

Supplies increased by $200.00

Water/Sewer increased by $50.00

Electricity increased by $800.00

Equipment increased by $500.00, new lawnmower was budgeted

Fire Alarm increased by $300.00

Grounds/Maintenance increased by $200.00

Old Grade School

Electricity increased by $700.00

Fuel increased by $4,775.00

Water/Sewer increased by $100.00

Supplies remained the same

Maintenance/Repairs decreased by $7,780.00, all windows have been upgraded.

Sprinkler/Fire Alarm increased by $100.00

Propane increased by $110.00

Total requested budget $25,357.00

Cemeteries

Total budget increased $12,000.00 to $14,000.00; the increase is due to mowing and the removal of a tree from Lower Warner Cemetery.

- Central Regional Planning increased by $42.00

- Contingency Fund no change

- Outside Services no change

- Community Action Program no change

- Daycare no change

- Contributions no change

Police Department

Payroll amounts to $233,962.00 (2005 salary)

Benefits amounts to $92,397.00

Operating expenses amount to $60,200.00

Total amount $386,559.00 (includes fuel)

o Excluding the cost of fuel the budget increased by 3.4%

o Including the cost of fuel the budget increased by 5.7%

Special Detail budgeted for $6,000.00

Ambulance (not stated)

Fire Department total request$145,739.00

Forest Fires requesting $5,000.00

Building Inspector requesting $6,400.00

Emergency Management requesting $7, 675.00 which includes a Deputy

Highway General Expenses

Garage Heat increased by $1,900.00

Gas/Diesel increased by $36,300.00 (22,000 gals of diesel x $2.75)

Paving will be reviewed on November 21, 2005

Street Lighting increased by $400.00

Solid Waste requesting $275,400.00

Health Officer requesting (not stated)

Lake Sunapee VNA set fee per capital

Welfare Administration requesting $110.00

Welfare Direct Assistance requesting $15,000.00 increased by $3,000.00

Parks & Recreation requesting (not stated), discussion encompassed field maintenance.

Library $181,604.00 based on the Town’s valuation

Memorial Day remained the same

Conservation Commission requesting $1,450.00

Bond Principal/Interest is set

Tan Interest remains the same

Hopkinton Landfill Closer $24,977.00

The budget reflects a total amount of $2,715,042.00, and increase of $187,999.00 or a 7.4% increase from 2004 (including fuel).

Selectman Eigabroadt explained that at the next Budget Committee meeting the Selectmen will have completed all line items and the Capital expenditures. Selectman Eigabroadt reminded the Committee that it was previously agreed that the operating budget would be held to a 3% increase, not including fuel.

The Committee and audience discussed how to cut the budget without affecting services to the Town.

The Committee commended the Selectmen for their presentation this evening. This allows appropriate time to review and study the budget.

Motion to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.