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Warner Budget Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, November 20, 2008
Meeting
opened at In
attendance: Marc Violette – Chair
John Warner – Vice Chair
Brenda O’Brien
Harold Whittemore
Peter Newman – Warner Village Water District Representative
David Karrick Jr. – Selectman’s Representative Absent:
Mike Cutting
Others
present: Laura
Buono – Town Administrator
Richard A. Cook – Selectman
Ed Mical
Paul
Violette
Barbara Annis
Jeanne Hand
Jim
Hand
Eric Rodgers
Rick Davies Fred
Hill
Krista Katz
Marianne Howlett 1. Capital
Improvements Program Presentation Planning
Board representative Ed Mical presented the CIP to the BC.
Mr. Mical acknowledged the members of the CIP Committee as Dan
Watts, Harold French and Hank Duhamel from the Planning Board, Clyde
Carson from the BC, Selectman Cook and Laura Buono from the Selectmen’
office as well as Ed Mical. A
private citizen was also asked to join the committee but for whatever
reasons did not participate. The
criterion established for a capital expense is a cost of $10K or more
and a useful life of 3 or more years. The
CIP Committee will rank the submitted projects, in some cases the
Committee changed and re-ranked what was submitted by the department
head. These changes are
noted on the individual projects. Marc
Violette asked if the departments are aware of the re-ranking.
Mr. Mical believes the department heads were advised.
Ms. Buono said the departments would be notified if the year
requested was changed by the CIP Committee.
The Committee will create a draft CIP and forward it to the
Planning Board for review and action. When the Planning Board receives
the draft they can adjust the schedule.
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing for comment, after
the public hearing the Planning Board will vote to either make changes
or adopt. This year the
Planning Board voted to adopt the 2009-2014 Capital Improvements
Program; once adopted a copy is filed with the Town Clerk and copies are
distributed. Board
of Selectmen – CIP Ø
Revaluation
Ø
Town
Hall Front Steps
Ø
Town
Hall Roof Ø
Town
Hall Addition Police
Department Ø
Cruiser
replacement program – 2010, 2012 & 2014 Fire
Department Ø
Property
Purchase Ø
New
Fire Station Ø
Engine
2 – replace Ø
Dry
Hydrant Installation – partially funded by a grant Ø
Fire
Equipment Highway
Department Ø
Construction
Fund - $200K per year Ø
Bridges
- $50K per year Ø
Road
Construction Projects - $4.5 million
Ø
Truck
Replacement Program – 2011, 2012 & 2013 Ø
Excavator
– 2014 Ø
Brush
Chipper – 2010 Emergency
Management Ø
Alternate
route off of Ø
Hazard
Mitigation Plan update – 2013 (possible grant money) Transfer
Station Ø
Land
Acquisition Expansion Parks
& Recreation Ø
Garage
for Storage Conservation
Commission Ø
$50K
per year (amount has been decreased to $30K for 2009) Planning
Board Ø
Exit 9
Traffic Improvement Water
District Ø
Meter
Replacement Ø
Sewer
Pipe Replacement on Ø
Water
& Sewer Lines on Ø
Alternate
Water Supply Ø
Second
Clarifier Ø
Replace/Repair
Water Line on The
above listed projects are projected for 2009-2014 cycle.
Recommendations
from the CIP Committee: Ø
The
Committee recommends starting the CIP process early in the year.
Ø
Continue
searching for grants that will help offset costs.
Ø
Possible
leases for equipment Ø
Create
an amount for yearly Capital expenses in effort to stabilize the budget Ø
Capital
Reserve versus borrowing for projects Ø
Long
range plan for road construction projects The
Planning Board reviewed the CIP Committee’s recommendations and also
added: safety and welfare of employees, residents and visitors to their
list of recommendations. The
Planning Board also recommended funding of some kind for Exit 9. Ed
Mical concluded his presentation. Chairman
Violette called for questions from the Budget Committee members; there
were none. Chairman
Violette called for questions from the public: Mr.
Hand asked for more information regarding a new Fire Station.
Mr. Violette explained that the project is still in the planning
phase. There is $200K in a
Capital Reserve that would probably take care of land acquisition.
Location has yet to be determined as well as the construction.
Bonding is an option because it allows the present as well as
future users to pay for the debt. Jeanne
Hand asked if there has been past discussion regarding the need of a new
Fire Station. Mr. Violette
explained that the current station was built in 1962 with volunteer
labor and material. The new
equipment being purchase is larger than years ago.
Part of the CIP is to look into future needs.
Paul Violette added that there is no room for expansion at the
current Fire Station. Barbara
Annis spoke on behalf of the Exit 9 Traffic Control Reserve Fund and
understands why the CIP Committee did not grant additional funds for
2009. But, since that
decision a survey was completed as well as a feasibility study.
The scenarios presented were a median strip, roundabout and
traffic light. Ms. Annis is
researching grant funding and has contacted the Merrimack County Grant
Writer. Paul
Violette added one of the largest costs is the configuring of the
driveways at Evans Mart and the Park & Ride as well as adding
medians. It’s not just adding traffic lights. Jeanne
Hand asked if there are regulations for businesses that prohibit them
from locating beyond a small bridge, she is concerned about the bridge
damage that would be caused by large trucks continually passing over
small bridges making deliveries to the businesses.
Eric Rodgers from the Zoning Board explained that there are no
regulations regarding business locating in commercial areas only if it
is not zoned commercial. Ms.
Buono also added that roads are built to weight standards.
Martha Mical commented that Class V roads are controlled by the
State of Barbara
Annis asked the BC to consider adding the Exit 9 funding back into the
budget. Selectman
Karrick said there is a chance the Selectmen may lower the amount that
is needed for the revaluation. A
decision will be made by the Selectmen in early December.
Mr.
Violette closed public comments. Mr.
Violette called for a motion to adopt the CIP.
Clyde Carson moved that
the BC adopt the 2009-2014 Capital Improvements Program. Pete
Newman seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 2. Selectmen’s
Capital Budget The
total Capital budget for 2009 has decreased by 8.91%.
Conservation
Commission Fund: Marc
Violette said that Conservation Commission decreased their request from
$50K to $30K. Mr. Violette
said he read the Conservation Commission meeting minutes and understands
there are no planned projects that are pending, revenues are also down
for the Commission. Mr.
Violette said because of the economic times he is not recommending the
$30K. John Warner agrees he
feels conservation is important but it’s a matter of how much
conservation the town can afford this year compared to past years.
Selectman Karrick noted to the Committee that the current balance
in the Conservation Fund is committed for proposed projects ($75K for
Courser Easement, $119 Boundtree easement).
Selectman Cook said that during a Selectmen’s meeting
Conservation Commission member Brian Hotz indicated the Commission is
beginning negotiations with another landowner.
Clyde
Carson would like to wait to hear more information on the pending
project before the BC votes. Fred
Hill encourages not funding the Conservation Commission in 2009.
Mr. Hill believes in conservation but next year is not the time. Transfer
Expansion Capital Reserve: Selectman Karrick said the Town will purchase
the Transfer Station property from the State in 2009 for $85K, $50K is
already in capital reserve. The
total amount requested for 2009 is $115K; the remaining balance will be
used for expansion changes and repairs to the facility.
Selectman Cook said a committee was formed to re-evaluate how the
entire operation works. Marc
Violette asked if the Town chooses to change to single-stream would the
change require the same amount of space or would it be less or more.
Selectman Cook said single-stream would not require major
additions to the site. The
savings would be in reduced labor. John
Warner who is a member of the Transfer Station Facility Committee said
the Committee is looking at many options.
The data on single stream versus the current operation needs to
be compared again because of recent changes.
When a comparison was done it resulted in a 10% savings with a
lot of potential errors in the calculation.
Mr. Warner said there are several choices being considered and
configured by the Transfer Station Facility Committee; he did note that
single-stream was not necessarily the preferred choice.
Mr.
Rodgers asked why the Town is buying the land.
Mr. Violette explained the lease is up from the State. Brenda
O’Brien asked when the Transfer Station was designed, what was the
intended growth population. Selectman
Cook said the station was designed with a 20 year life which will be
coming to term. Rob
Johnson feels for clarity purposes the additions to the Transfer Station
should be separate in the Capital Improvements Plan.
Selectman Cook said there are expansion changes that include some
paving and an addition to the existing structure.
Highway
Capital Reserve: Fred Hill asked if a comparison has ever been completed
on using Alfred
Hanson asked if the Town, based on the CIP’s plan for $4 million for
road repairs and another separate reserve for $200K per year it looks to
him that the town is going to spend $1million a year on road repairs.
Selectman Cook explained the Public Works Director estimated the
amount of road work that is needed to be done; it’s an estimated back
log of work, it’s not a request ($4million).
The $200K is being requested for road construction that can
continue on an annual basis. Krista
Katz asked what is covered under the Highway Maintenance line.
Ms. Buono explained road maintenance, culvert replacement, line
painting, anything that is not major construction.
Highway Maintenance is an operating budget expense.
Ms. Katz asked how maintenance items are prioritizes.
Ms. Katz mentioned the faded crosswalks in the center of Town and
feels they are a priority for public safety.
Ms. Katz feels funding the Conservation Commission is a
discretionary item where the crosswalks are not. Mr.
Hand asked if there is a reason the Police Department is on a 2 year
cycle for police cruisers. Mr.
Violette explained there are three cruisers on the force and it has been
recommended to replace the cruisers every two years, it’s not based
solely on mileage, engine hours are also considered.
Mr. Hand feels the cycle should be for every 3 years or more
because vehicles these days last beyond 200K miles.
Ms. Buono said the last cruiser was pushed to three years.
Mr. Violette asked if the Selectmen’s office have a steadfast
rule on police cruisers. Ms.
Buono said the rotation schedule is in place, but if the Police Chief
says he can get another year or if the Board of Selectmen asks if the
vehicle could get another year because of a tight budget it is certainly
considered. The next vehicle
is scheduled for 2010. Fred
Hill said that when you go down to Whites Farm in Alfred
Hanson mentioned that the new dodge cruisers are known for their long
life. Brenda
O’Brien observed that the Town has purchased more cruisers, added more
personnel, but the activity analysis has gone down. Jeanne
Hand reported back to the BC about her concern regarding the Community
Action Program services that may be over lapping.
Ms. Hand spoke with Laura Hall who is in charge of the Warner
Community Action Program. Ms.
Hand asked if the Town could cut back on some funding in order to add it
to the welfare line. With
the down fall of the economy she expects there will be an increase for
this assistance. Ms. Buono
explained that she has communicated with the Welfare Director about if
there is a need to increase the line; the Welfare Director said she
would let Ms. Buono know if there is a need.
Marianne Howlett asked if money left over at the end of the year
could be encumbered. Ms.
Buono explained that encumbered money is only for a specific project
that was not completed in the year budgeted. Next
meeting is scheduled for Motion
was made and seconded to adjourn at Respectfully
submitted, Mary
Whalen Recording
Secretary
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