Warner Budget Committee

Meeting Minutes

Thursday, November 12, 2009

 

Meeting opened at 7:05 p.m.

In attendance:   Marc Violette - Chairman

                        Mike Cutting – Vice Chair

                        Kimberley Edelmann

                        Alfred Hanson

                        Martha Bodnarik

                        Richard Cutting

                        Peter Newman – Warner Village Water District Representative

                        Clyde Carson – Selectman’s Representative

Absent:             None      

Others present: Selectman David Karrick, Jr., Laura Buono – Town Administrator, Jim Hand, Ed Mical, Lynn Perkins, Peg McLaughlin, Jim McLaughlin, Peter Savlen, Martha Thoits, Marianne Howlett, Judy Rogers, Martha Mical.  

1. Meeting Minutes

Motion was made and seconded to approve meeting minutes dated October 28, 2009 .  Motion was withdrawn, not everyone received the minutes and the day indicated on the minutes needs to be changed.   

2. Jim Hand – Municipal Budget Committee

Mr. Hand reported on the school budget process.  He said a contract has been struck with the union members at a lower number and the contract still needs to be voted upon by the union members.  Mr. Hand is encouraging 0% increase to the school budget; to date the school budget is reflecting a 1.8% increase.  

Mr. Hand commented as a resident that his home is taxed higher than what he can sell it for.  He asked the Budget Committee to consider when they are creating the budget the fact that the school pays only 85% of the insurance cost for their employees, the Town pays 100%.   

Motion was made and seconded to begin reviewing the Precinct budget.  

3. Warner Village Water District 2010 Proposed Budget

WVWD Commissioner Lynn Perkins said the budget has decreased by almost $11K.  

Mike Cutting asked what the tax impact will be.  Mr. Perkins said the tax rate that was set last week amounts to $2.50 per thousand.  Mr. Cutting asked about the usage fee.  Mr. Perkins said WVWD is proposing to increase the sewer rate to $11.87 per thousand for 2010.  This increase is to relieve the sewer expenses.  

Questions:

              The last sewer rate increase was about 6 years ago.  Administrative Assistant Peg McLaughlin said the rate increase will begin to cover the sewer expenses; currently the rate only covers 53% of expenses.  Mr. Perkins would like to implement the increase in steps.

              Mr. Hanson asked if the rate increase is for the operating budget.  Mr. Perkins said yes, last year a ditch rotor was repaired costing $25K.  The same issue is going on in the other ditch. 

              Richard Cutting asked why there are no expenses in the water system budget for vehicle maintenance and gas. Peg McLaughlin said the cost is all in sewer because 75% or more is being worked on sewer. 

              The WVWD provides transportation to the Superintendant because he is on call 24/7.

              Selectman Carson asked if there is a plan in place to cover some of the costs if Exit 9 is developed.  Mr. Perkins said there are tie in fees for commercial use. 

              Richard Cutting asked if there is any compensation built in for Town water and sewer use to off-set the use of the Town loader for snow removal.  Mr. Perkins said the loader was used last year but for normal snow removal the WVWD has their own snow plow.  There is also an agreement with the Highway Department to dispose of waste water. 

              Wells have been installed on North Village Road .  The line is not severed only shut off. 

              Selectman Carson asked if any part of the budget is covered by grants.  Mr. Perkins said the storage tanks and the work that was completed on Mill Street . 

              Mike Cutting asked if 2010 will be the last year for meter replacement.  Mr. Perkins said Warner Power is the last one.

              Health benefits have not been decided.

              Richard Cutting noted an increase in chemical expenses. 

              Mike Cutting asked if like Districts could purchase chemicals collectively.  The suggestion will be considered.  

4. Town Operating Budget 2010

Land Use

              There was a question on what professional services covers; it was explained it covers services from the Central Regional Planning Commission and their support for the Master Plan update.

Town Clerk

              Mr. Hanson asked for clarification on the $10K budgeted for book preservation.  The Town Clerk explained that preservation of the records is a required function of the Town Clerk by law.  It was decided to put an amount in the Town Clerk’s budget on a yearly basis instead of presenting a warrant at Town Meeting.  Mr. Hanson asked if the $10K could be lowered.  The Town Clerk said she would not be against lowering the cost.  Selectman Carson said in moving forward materials could be used that would last longer which will help to lessen the cost over time.  Martha Bodnarik asked the Town Clerk how much would she be comfortable reducing the Preservation line to.  The Town Clerk said she will return at the next meeting with a cost.

Elections

              The budget covers 4 elections in 2010.

              Printing costs may be less at the end of the year if printing is completed in house.

Assessing

              Pick-ups decreased in 2010 because of the revaluation.  The cost will need to be added again in 2011.

              Appraisal Review in the amount of $2,000 covers abatement requests.

Board of Selectmen

              Mike Cutting asked if a decision has been made about wages, freezing or continue with the current program.  Selectman Carson said the Board agreed to continue with the current step increase system.  The wage scale will also be tied to any social security increase for the year; for 2010 the wage scale will not increase. 

              Newsletter was increased from 4 times a year to 6 times a year.  Mike Cutting asked if there is outside funding available.  The Town Administrator said the newsletter is an operating expense, but the first year funding was granted from the Nancy Sibley Wilkins Trustees.  Kimberley Edelmann asked if the newsletter allows for advertising.  The Town Administrator said she would never recommend advertising.  Richard Cutting asked if the newsletter could be mailed out of Warner.  The Town Administrator said it would cost extra to do so.  It was mentioned that the Historical Society has a bulk mailing permit.  The Selectmen’s office will verify with the Post Office if the Town can use the Historical Society’s permit.  Martha Bodnarik feels the cost could be reduced by using volunteers. 

Questions

              Richard Cutting asked why Silver Lake Dam is a Highway Department expense.  It was explained that even though the budgeted amount is for permitting.  The Highway Department historically has maintained the dam.

              Mike Cutting asked if street lighting has been looked at in the sense of determining whether or not they are all needed. 

              Legal expense was reduced by $3K.  The Town does not foresee extenuating circumstances.

              Richard Cutting would like a breakdown in revenue by department.  

The next scheduled meeting is December 10th beginning at 7:00 p.m.   The meeting will begin with:

              Town budget updates

              Review Capital budget

              Questions

              Budget Committee reviews operating budget

              Schedule work session before December 25  

Kimberley Edelmann asked why the Town sent a letter to the Men’s Club asking for help in cleaning the lower meeting room rug.  The cost is $400.  The Town Administrator explained the Town is trying to save money to cover the revenue shortfall.  The American Legion, Men’s Club, Kearsarge Trail Snails and Fall Foliage Festival were all asked to contribute to the cleaning cost, none of these organizations are charged for using the Town Hall.  

Kimberley Edelmann will work on publicizing the Budget Committee status in the next newsletter.  

5. Adjournment

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 9:25 p.m.