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Minutes of 10/16/2013

November 4th, 2013

Budget Committee
Minutes from 10/16


Meeting called to order 7:00 pm
Members Present: Joan Karpf, Mike Hogan, Bonnie Moroney, Jak Catalano, Dave Scalley, Rob Gauthier
Public: Linda Dowling (video)
Joan make a motion to accept August Minutes as written, second Bonnie all in favor.
Joan makes motion to accept Sept Minutes, Bonnie second, all in favor, Dave abstains.
Jack voiced concern over the schedule for reviewing individual Dept.'s, stating his concern is that the Ambulance, Fire Dept. and Police Dept. all on the same evening. Jack stated they are the biggest issue's we will deal with, and asked if it was possible to have the Police Dept. on one night and the Fire Dept. on the other. Jack's concern is that there is too much money involved, too many issues to have both Dept.'s on one night as it would be a long evening. Jack asked the committee to consider moving the meetings to split them up. Discussion about the schedule and dates for a possible change.
Discussion about Dec. 4th as an alternative date. Further discussion continued.
Bonnie mentioned the Police Dept. budget is ready and could be moved to Oct. 30th meeting. Conservation and Health Dept. were moved Nov. 20th.

Town Budget presented and Bonnie spoke on behalf of the Town.
Bonnie mentioned evaluations are currently being down and the salary portion final numbers may change. The numbers that are presented this evening are the numbers submitted by the respective Dept. heads. Bonnie identified individual line items that may change.
Discussion about the percentage's that are being discussed. Mike voiced concern of a lack of a pay-scale approach. Bonnie mentioned that insurance figures also may change as premiums do not come in until late Nov. early Dec.
Bonnie went through each line item and answered questions about specific line items. Supplies and how they are charged to specific Dept.'s.
Much discussion about employee's salary increase's reflected in the budget. Further discussion about job descriptions, employee retention, health benefits, and pay-scale discussed. Parameters of the job and an initial job offer to new employees, so there would be a concise understanding of expectations and benefits and pay expected.
Dave asked to breakdown the Treasurers request for a 5% increase, $217 for the year. Bonnie stated the Treasurer has not had a raise in 3 years. Mike mentioned the cost of living has gone up 1.8%, 1.7%, and 1.05% respectively. Mike mentioned that the request is close to what the increase of cost of living has been over the last three years. Dave mentioned that he is concerned that employees have not received a raise in the last three years. Joan mentioned we do not have a comparison of what the Treasurers pay in this area also receive. Joan mentioned we have not compared any of our employees salaries to the surrounding towns.Dave mentioned concern about how to compare a treasurers salary in Carrol to that of a larger town like Whitefield for example. Joan agreed that it could not be compared to that of Whitefield. Bonnie explained that the Treasurers workload has increased over the last 3 years. Jack mentioned each employee should get as much as they can get, but Jack stated he has an issue with the process. Dave agreed that the process needs to be fixed, but that the town employees have not received any raises in the last 3 or 4 years. Bonnie stated that all employees know that no matter what the request is in their budgets they all will be going through an evaluation.Mike mentioned the desire for a pay scale method in the future employment salaries.
Joan asked for a breakdown for the health care cost's for each employee. Joan mentioned that the health benefit is part of their salary. Joan agreed employees should get paid what they are worth and that a merit system should be in place to reward a job well done.
Joan asked about the moderator salary and Bonnie stated that because of more elections, there was an increase. Bonnie spoke about the Supv. of the Checklist job duties.
Jack asked about the planning board secretary from $4500 to $5000 and if that was a request from the secretary. It was stated that because of more developments and hours worked it need to reflect that in the salary. Dave stated that it also has to do with the legal expenses as the secretary needs to perform more research because of that.
Bonnie mentioned a $2000 increase to legal expenses.Rob asked if the town is planning on more legal expense than last year to which Bonnie stated yes.
Mike spoke about a breakdown of which Dept. the legal fees are being spent. Much discussion about accounting for each Dept.'s legal fees.Procedural accounting for the town was discussed.
Joan asked if any Dept.'s gave a 5 year plan. Bonnie mention Water and Police have given plans.
Bonnie mentioned the insurance and workman's comp. changes have not been reflected in this presented budget. The budget also reflects the 4th Police officer being added. Bonnie mentioned issue that have occurred without a 4th officer including no part-timer's available, and ambulance calls that require Police assistance. Dave asked if that would bring us to full coverage, and Bonnie said yes. Joan asked if the health benefits have been calculated in for the 4th officer. Bonnie stated that it was never taken out of the budget when the Town did have a 4th officer, so it is reflected in the presented budget. Joan asked if there were increase's to outfit the new officer. The budget does reflect the cost's to outfit the 4th officer The commiteee stated there is a $56,000 increase in the Police Dept.'s budget.
Bonnie mentioned the salary breakdown of the Fire Dept.'s full-time staff and how it is off-set by ambulance runs. Dave asked about Fire/Ambulance retention. Bonnie mentioned there has been an increase in participation. The ambulance staff salary has stayed the same, and Mike mentioned concern that the salaries are staying the same. Bonnie mentioned the money that is paid by the insurance companies on calls off-sets "about" half the salary. Bonnie mentioned line 102 in the budget to be combined with line 100 to reflect the Chief's salary. Dave asked about the breakdown for the 2nd firefighter's position and how the pay comes from part of the ambulance special revenue fund. Bonnie mentioned an increase in PPE to update the clothing for the firefighters.
Joan asked about street lighting and whether or not they could be shut off to save money. Discussion about the lights on Route 3 and Route 302 being paid for by the State. Joan mentioned past discussion about shutting of a portion of the lights. Much discussion about the carrier of the power.
Discussion about the transfer station budget on staffing. Mike mentioned hours of operation vs. hours worked. Mike asked about who authorizes the pay for the extra hours worked. Bonnie mentioned that the Dept. Heads have always been given the right to run their own Dept.'s, and if they go over they must justify why they went over.

Bonnie spoke about the Rec. Dept. asking for increase in salaries. Town entertainment was spoken about and how the Chamber has moved the entertainment line to the Rec. Dept.
An increase for the Librarian was discussed. Mike mentioned the need for a pay scale/salary guidelines when hired.
Discussion about hydrant up-keep.
Discussion about the percentage of increase in the 2014 budget for the town.
Motion to adjourn Bonnie, Jack Seconded it at 8:41pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rob Gauthier.