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Warner Budget Committee Public Hearing Thursday, February 5, 2009 Public
Hearing was opened at 6:04 p.m. In
attendance: Marc Violette – Chair
John Warner – Vice Chair
Mike Cutting
Harold Whittemore
Clyde Carson
Peter Newman – Warner Village Water District Representative
David Karrick Jr. – Selectman’s Representative Absent:
None
Others
present: Selectman
Richard A. Cook
Selectman David E. Hartman
Laura Buono – Town Administrator Peg
McLaughlin – WVWD
Jim McLaughlin - WVWD Alfred
Hanson
Martha
Bodnarick
Judith Rogers
Marianne Howlett
Barbara
Annis 1. Meeting
Minutes Motion was made and
seconded to approve meeting minutes dated January 15, 2009.
All were in favor, the motion passed.
2. Warner Village
Water District 2009 Budget Motion was made by
John Warner to recommend the Warner Village Water District 2009 Budget.
Pete Newman seconded the motion.
Budget
Committee discussion: None Public
discussion: Pete
Newman commented that the rotor assembly that agitates the ditches needs
repair. The Water District recently received a quote in the amount of
$24,304. Mr. Newman said
the budget will need to be increased which will be proposed at the
Warner Village Water District’s Annual Meeting.
At this time no discussion has taken place between the
Commissioners because two of them are out of town.
Mike Cutting said the Budget Committee will not be recommending
that increase and asked how this increase will be introduced to the
voters. Mr. Newman said the
budget will be increased by an amendment at their annual meeting. Alfred
Hanson feels $24+K is a little expensive for a rebuilt rotor.
Mr. Newman added that he is still waiting for other quote prices. Mike
Cutting asked why the money was not added into the budget in January.
Mr. Newman explained that the quote was received on January 26th. Chairman
Violette called for a vote on the motion
to recommend the Warner Village Water District 2009 budget in the amount
of $399,395.00. All
were in favor of the motion; motion passed. 3. Warner Village
Water District Warrant Articles Article #7: To see if the District will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) to be added to
the existing Capital Reserve Fund for North Village Road Wells.
(Recommended by the District Commissioners) John Warner moved
to recommend Article #7. Motion
was seconded. Discussion: Mike Cutting asked what the total fund balance
is to date. WVWD Administrative Assistant Peg McLaughlin said there is
$10K in the fund, the total amount needed is $25K.
Mike Cutting asked how old the bid is for the wells.
The bid was received in 2007.
Mike Cutting feels a current bid may result in a lower cost.
Chairman Violette asked for a vote on the motion; all were in
favor, the motion passed. Article #8: To see if the District will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of three hundred eighty-four thousand three hundred
and ninety-five dollars ($384,395.00) for the operation, maintenance and
improvement of the District’s water and sewer systems. This article
does not include the amount addressed in Article 7.
(Recommended by the District Commissioners) John Warner moved
to recommend Article #8. Motion
was seconded. Discussion:
Mike Cutting noted that the figure in Article 8 will change if the $24K
is approved for the rotor assembly repair.
Chairman Violette called for a vote on the motion; all were in
favor, the motion passed. 4. Town of Warner 2009 Operating Budget John Warner moved
to recommend the amount of $2,896,898.00 for the Town of Warner 2009
operating budget. Motion
was seconded. Discussion:
no comments from the Budget Committee or audience members.
Chairman Violette called for a vote on the motion; all were in
favor, the motion passed. 5. Town of Warner Warrant Articles Article 10: Shall the Town establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the
purpose of Police Department Vehicles and to raise and appropriate the
sum of $20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) for that purpose and to
appoint the Board of Selectmen as agents to expend? (Recommended by the
Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 10.
Discussion: Mike Cutting confirmed that this is funding the
reserve; no vehicle is being purchased this year.
Alfred Hanson asked what the proposed cost is for a new vehicle.
The estimated cost for 2010 is $38,160 which reflects cruiser and
equipment. Mr. Hanson asked
what the rotation is. Ms.
Buono explained that the 2008 is scheduled to be replaced in 2014.
Selectman Cook explained that the Capital
Improvements are set up in an effort to level fund the reserves in order
to prevent spiking in the funding. Chairman Violette called for a vote on the
motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. Article 11: Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
$30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the Conservation
Fund in accordance with RSA 36-A:5, III as an additional source of
revenue for the purpose of conserving open land in Warner? (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 11. Discussion:
Mike Cutting wonders if $30K is really necessary this year. Martha Bodnarick does not believe the
voters at Town Meeting will view 1% of the budget worthy of cutting. Judith Rogers asked if the cost impact to
the taxes could be discussed or added to each article.
Selectman Karrick explained the impact would only be an estimate
because the actual tax rate will be unknown at Town Meeting. Laura Buono explained estimating the
budget as is, as well as the revenues, if everything passed on the
warrant the impact would be .21¢ increase (estimated).
On a $300K home that would amount to approximately $63.00. Martha Mical asked if the budget is down
then why are the taxes going up. Ms.
Buono explained it is because the revenues are down. Jim McLaughlin explained after the spring
the conservation fund will down to $20K, from the $20K the Conservation
Plan which is part of the Master Plan will need funding, after that
there is no funding available for future plans.
Last year there was one current use penalty paid to the fund last
year. Originally,
current-use penalties were set up to fund the Conservation Commission,
but recently that source has dried up. Chairman Violette called for a vote on the
motion; majority was in favor with one opposition; the motion passed. Article 12: Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
$200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Highway Road Construction Capital Reserve Fund?
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 12.
Discussion: Marianne Howlett asked what the balance is.
Ms. Buono explained almost all the reserve has been spent. Chairman Violette called for a vote on the
motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. Article 13: Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
$110,000.00 (One Hundred and Ten Thousand Dollars) to be added to the
already established Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund? (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 13.
Discussion: Mike Cutting asked if any equipment is being
purchased this year. A
chipper is scheduled for 2010 for $40K. Ms. Buono explained because of the ice storm there is a lot
of debris that needs to be chipped.
A chipper was rented for a few days and once it is figured how
long a chipper is needed it may be presented to the Selectmen that it
may be cost effective to purchase the chipper in 2009 instead of 2010.
Also, effective in 2010 the Town will no longer be able to burn
brush, so the chipper may also be utilized at the Transfer Station.
With that said, a more durable chipper may need to be purchased. Alfred Hanson explained the next size
chipper would cost the Town about $80K, he recommends really looking
closely at the need for a larger chipper.
Judith Rogers asked if capital expense
funding is adjusted year after year because of the changes in the
Capital Improvements Program. Selectman Cook stated earlier that funding is set up to level
fund in order to prevent spiking. Chairman Violette called for a vote on the
motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. Article 14: Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
$50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Property Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund? (Recommended by
the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 14.
Discussion: Mike Cutting recommends reducing the funding to $0.
There is $153K in reserve; a contract has been signed for $109K+
with some add-ons. Mr.
Cutting moved to reduce Article 14 to $0.
Motion was seconded. Discussion:
John Warner asked what the cost history is; what is the reason for
spreading out the cost. Ms.
Buono said the reason for spreading out the cost is for level funding so
there is no spike in one year. She
further explained that this year Warner was fortunate that there was
competition in the bidding process which resulted in a reduced rate.
Again, because a revaluation is every 5 years the level funding
is for preventing spikes. Assessing
Clerk, Martha Mical strongly recommends reducing Article 14 to $25K
because this current contract is an unknown entity and she feels there
could be unrealized costs. Alfred
Hanson asked what the unrealized costs are.
Ms. Buono explained there costs attributed to the Assessing
Clerk, supplied information as well as other in-house costs.
Marianne Howlett also added that there could also be costs
attributed to cases that appeal to the Board of Land and Tax Appeals.
Chairman Violette noted that there is already excess funding
available in the reserve for such issues.
Ed Mical for procedural purposes said the Budget Committee is to
only recommend or not recommend what is presented.
Chairman Violette said there is a motion to amend the
recommendation or not recommend. John
Warner clarified that the Budget Committee’s choice is recommend or
not recommend. Chairman
Violette said correct. John Warner said in effect the motion is to not
recommend. Selectman Cook
said this evening’s meeting was posted in such a way the Selectmen can
take action and vote on items in order to try to have the same budget.
Selectman Cook recommends reducing Article 14 to $20K, Selectman
Karrick agrees with $20K. Mike
Cutting withdrew his motion in order for the Selectmen to meet and return
with a vote. The Budget
Committee member who seconded the motion also withdrew.
Selectman Hartman called for a recess in the Budget Committee
hearing. (Reference Selectmen’s meeting minutes
dated February 5, 2009). Chairman Violette reopened the meeting at
6:56 p.m. Article 14: Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
$20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Property Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund? (Recommended by
the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 14.
Discussion: no discussion from Budget Committee or attending
public. Chairman Violette
called for a vote on the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed. 6:56 p.m. Budget Committee Clyde Carson
arrived. Article 15: Shall the Town establish a capital reserve fund for the
purpose of Exit 9 Improvements and to raise and appropriate the amount
of $5,000.00 (Five Thousand Dollars) for that purpose and to appoint the
Board of Selectmen as agents to expend?
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 15.
Discussion: Mike Cutting made a point about the high cost of the
project and how insignificant $5K would be to the project.
John Warner understands the $5K is the minimum amount in order to
keep the project going, money needs to be available in order to be able
to apply for grants. Chairman Violette called for vote; all
were in favor, the motion passed. Article 16: Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
$65,000.00 (Sixty Five Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Transfer Station Acquisition and Improvements Capital
Reserve Fund? (Recommended by the Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 16. Discussion:
Mike Cutting confirmed this cost will result in the Town owning the
land. Selectman Cook said
yes, with some extra that will allow for some modest changes.
Chairman Violette called for vote; all
were in favor, the motion passed. Article 17: Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of
$50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Dollars) to be added to the already
established Bridge Replacement & Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund?
(Recommended by the Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded to recommend Article 17. Discussion:
Mike Cutting asked if any of this funding would be used for the
Connors Mill Bridge project. Ms.
Buono said no. Chairman Violette called for vote; all
were in favor, the motion passed. Article 18: Shall the Town
close the Wage Expendable Trust Fund as was opened per Article 10 of the
March 11, 2004 Town Meeting and to deposit any balance remaining into
the General Fund? (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded
to recommend Article 18. Discussion:
none. All were in favor,
the motion passed. Article 19: Shall the Town
close the Police Facility Capital Reserve Fund as was opened per Article
8 of the March 12, 1997 Town Meeting and to deposit any balance
remaining into the General Fund? (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) Motion was made and seconded
to recommend Article 19. Discussion:
Mike Cutting asked if any funds were left over.
Ms. Buono said no. All were in favor, the motion passed. 6. 2009 Estimated Revenues Chairman Violette called for a motion
to recommend the 2009 Estimated Revenues totaling $1,002,023.31.
Motion was made and seconded.
Discussion: none. Chairman Violette called for vote; all were in favor, the
motion passed. Motion was made and seconded to close the Public Hearing. Motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 7:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary Whalen Recording Secretary
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