Warner Budget Committee

Meeting Minutes

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Meeting opened at 7:03 p.m.

In attendance:   Marc Violette - Chairman

                        Kimberley Edelmann

                        Alfred Hanson

                        Martha Bodnarik

                        Richard Cutting

                        Clyde Carson – Selectman’s Representative

Absent:             Mike Cutting & Pete Newman           

Others present: Selectman David Karrick, Jr., Selectman David E. Hartman, Laura Buono – Town Administrator, Ed Mical, Martha Mical, Gary Young  

1. Meeting Minutes

Motion was made and seconded to approve meeting minutes dated December 10, 2009 .  All were in favor, the motion passed.  

2.  Capital Budget

The Committee was presented with the Selectmen’s Capital Budget.  Selectman Carson said if the Energy Audit identifies any capital projects it may be decided to add to the Capital Budget.   

The Committee began with the Capital Budget and will consider any additions when they arise.  

Fire Department Generator - $18,750 - Selectman Carson explained the amount covers the Town’s portion of a 50/50 grant.  A Capital Reserve fund will be established in case the grant is not approved so that the balance can be funded in 2011.  This is also the same case for the Town Hall generator.  Alfred Hanson asked if the generator for the Fire Department will it be able to be transferred to the new facility when it is built.  Ed Mical explained that the installation and material cost is approximately $8K and he also confirmed that the unit could be transferred.  Chairman Violette said he recalls asking the same question at a previous meeting and the answer was no, the generator would not be moved to a new facility.  The Committee had discussion as to whether two generators are needed.  Selectman Hartman said the rationale for the two generators is a direct response to the 2008 ice storm which was very challenging as well as a grant program that came available.  Alfred Hanson feels it would be more advantageous to have a generator at the Fire Department rather than the Town Hall.  Martha Bodnarik feels the money designated for the Town Hall generator should be pooled with the Fire Department with hopes of a grant.  Chairman Violette added that the generator for the Fire Department should have the capability to be transferred to the new facility when it is built, or at least used at another facility.  Chairman Violette recommends purchasing a couple of portable generators for the Fire Department and when the new facility is built add the cost of the stand alone generator into cost of the building.  Ed Mical said the idea for the program is to be able to outfit the Emergency Operation Center the grant is specific.  Mr. Violette asked if a cost could be obtained for portable generators.  The Town Administrator said if it is decided that the town wants and emergency operation center the Emergency Management Director is saying this generator is what is needed to run the center, also technology and communications have changed over the years between emergency managers and if the town wants to remain in that loop the generator is one of those tools.   

Dry Hydrants - $25,000 – Martha Bodnarik asked what are the new locations.  Mr. Mical said Melvin Road , probably one at the Dalton Bridge and he is not sure about the remaining 2 sites.  Martha Bodnarik said if the dry hydrants are going to benefit the precinct she recommends placing the $25K in a Trust Fund for the new pumper, she also said the pumper can be filled from the Fire Station.  Mr. Mical explained that the Fire Department has a concern about the fire hydrants because they are not reliable over an extended period of time when a fighting a fire.  He also said the goal is to have dry hydrants available in all areas of the town; 50 potential sites have been identified.  A grant could be applied for to offset the cost.  Four dry hydrants have already been installed through a grant program.  

Town Hall Roof Repairs - $50,000 – Final repairs to the Town Hall roof.   

Property Revaluation - $30K – Martha Bodnarik asked why $40K was not funded as recommended by the Capital Improvements Program Committee.  The Town Administrator explained that there will be a balance left over after this revaluation.   

Fire Department Pumper - Martha Bodnarik asked why the pumper for the Fire Department is not on the list of capital expenses.  Selectman Carson explained that currently there is $65K in the capital reserve fund for Fire & Rescue Vehicles.  The Selectmen are looking at the cost of repairing the existing pumper as well as looking into purchase/lease for 15 years at a 3.25%, annual payments would be for $31,700.  The first year would be funded from the existing capital reserve; subsequent years would be funded from the operating budget.     

Chairman Violette confirmed that if the grant is not approved for the pumper that is valued at $376K a new pumper could be purchased for a lesser amount.  

Alfred Hanson asked if insurance costs are more for a leased vehicle.  The Town Administrator said the cost should be the same for replacement cost.  The Town Administrator explained the vehicle will be financed, leased to own.   

The Committee feels at this time that there is not enough information available for them to recommend or not recommend the cost of the pumper because it is not clear what the cost would be if the grant is not available.  

Conservation Commission - $30K – The Committee discussed what the $30K would be applied to.  The Selectmen explained that the $30K is the amount needed after receiving, if approved LCHIP grant money.  This money would be used for placing the Bowers property in an easement.  Part of this property is located in the Town of Sutton which in the meeting minutes published so far does not say anything conclusive.  The bulk of the property, 348 acres are in Warner and 123 acres are in Sutton.  The Budget Committee would like to meet with the Conservation Commission at the next scheduled meeting.  

3. Operating Budget

Fire Department – Martha Bodnarik asked if the Fire Department completed the interior painting.  Martha Mical said some of the painting has been completed.  Martha Bodnarik asked if the $3,500 budgeted for what she said is for painting should be taken out of the budget.  The Town Administrator said she will check with the Fire Chief.  Martha Bodnarik also feels the $1,500 budgeted for painting the Police Department should also be removed from the budget.  The Town Administrator explained only $600 was budgeted for painting.   

Chairman Violette noted the operating budget to date shows a decrease in the amount of 1.8%.  For the operating and capital combined there is a 1.92% decrease.   

Kimberley Edelmann said the town’s valuation which is listed on the Department of Revenue Administration’s website shows a less difference of $250K.  She asked why there is a variation.  Martha Mical suspects DRA is using an equalized valuation.  Selectman Carson said he has been questioned by a number of residents that believe their taxes will go down if their property values go down.  This is a misconception; taxes could rise if values decrease.  Martha Mical said the valuations most likely will not go down, she said homes are selling in Warner for $20-$30K more than what they are assessed for.   

4. Precinct

The Committee asked if the Precinct budget is final and it is believed to be so.  Richard Cutting spoke about the possibility of Main Street being paved by the State and if that would add additional costs to the Precinct.  This information has not been substantiated; one of the Commissioners said he will check into the information provided by Mr. Cutting.  

5. Budget Committee

The Committee members discussed what the next step would be; recommend the budget as presented, cut the bottom and capital lines or review line by line.  Kimberley Edelmann asked if the Committee would like to show the vote of the committee on the warrant.  

Items to be addressed at the next meeting:

- Prices for two portable generators

- Price on the pumper without extra equipment

- Conservation Commission representative at the next meeting

- Fire Department painting

- Explanation on valuation

- Portability of the $37K generator

- Updated information for the Energy Audit

The Budget Committee decided to meet on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 beginning at 7:00 p.m.  

Selectman Carson reported that the School Superintendent will be invited to the Selectmen’s meeting on January 5 to present their budget and possibly the County Commissioner .

6. Adjournment

Motion was made and seconded at 9:10 p.m. to adjourn.