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minutes of January 3, 2008

January 4th, 2008

Carroll Budget Committee
Minutes of January 3, 2008


Members present: Tom Gately, Karen Moran, Bonnie Moroney,Carmine Fabrizio.
Excused: Ken Mills, Ben Jellison, Lori Hogan. There were no members of the public present.

Chair called the meeting to order at 7:00

Tom noted he would entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the December 19 meeting. Bonnie stated that she had left early, Carmine was not at the 12/19 meeting. As a result, the approval of the minutes was tabled.

Karen noted that the Chamber of Commerce section of the general ledger had been moved to the “Culture and Recreation” section (page 10) as requested by the Committee. Discussion ensued regarding re-instituting the select board’s recommended line item amounts. Karen noted that the prior warrant article votes have passed by majority, albeit slim. Bonnie noted that the Select Board had the accounts outlined in order to allow the town to monitor more closely on what the funds are spent. Tom noted he abstained from the 12/19 vote, in an up-front policy that he has a bias. Bonnie motioned to leave the Chamber budget as reduced by the Committee on 12/19, but ensure that the Chamber members come to the Public Hearing on 1/9 and provide as much detail about the money request and how it will be spent as possible. Karen seconded, Carmine approved, Tom abstained.

Personnel Administration section was recommended to be adjusted to remove the benefits of a second firefighter that had been included based on the initial budget from the Fire Department. As a result, the following were voted:
01-4155.10-200 Retirement $57,501
01-4155.10-202 Medicare $9,368
01-4155.10-300 Insurance $138,284
On motion by Karen, seconded by Tom and approved by all the above adjustments were made.

Discussion ensued about the Planning Board’s need to put a “Third Party Review” expense and revenue line item on the budget. It is a net zero cost to the town, but the external engineers are used to review site plans etc. for commercial properties. Discussion ensued that the lines may be put on the budget after the Planning Board meeting which was taking place concurrently. Review for these accounts on or before January 9, 2008.

Regarding the salary line of the Police Chief, Karen noted that the $52,500 had been based on the representation that that was the contract price. Chief informally told Karen that the contract was no longer in effect. Bonnie noted that the Human Resource policy manual has not yet been adopted, as there are still sections being drafted and it has to be adopted by the Select Board after any cost impact is determined. She also noted that she could not recall the basis on which the $55,000 had been made, but presumed the contract remains in effect. Karen recommended that the contract be obtained and reviewed, and the budget be based on what is in place. Any adjustment should be made at the January 9 public hearing once the review has been done.

A new Travel line item in the Police budget, 01-4210.10-309 was noted on the updated budget worksheet. Budget Committee had suggested the travel be separated from the miscellaneous line item. Travel $400 and Miscellaneous $800. Affirmed the approval by the Committee on 12/19/07.
Regarding the Uniform Cleaning account 01-4210.10-307, on 12/19/07 Lori had motioned to zero the line, Ben had seconded. Tom and Karen did not agree with the recommendation. Because the vote was tie, it was reviewed again. Karen motioned to maintain the select board’s recommendation of $1,500, Bonnie seconded, Tom and Carmine agreed.

Two new accounts for the Fire Department had been suggested after the 12/19/07 review: One for Office Equipment in addition to Office Supplies, and one for Fire Dept. Maintenance. The Office Equipment had been suggested to differentiate between things like computers, and things like paper or ink. The $1,500 in total had not been in dispute (that is what the Select Board recommended in Office Supplies); rather, the Budget Committee had suggested Office Supplies $800, Office Equipment $700. The new account was not on the updated budget worksheet. The Maintenance account 01-4220.10-604 was added and reflects $650 for the Select Board, Budget Committee recommended $750.

Property Inspection accounts were reviewed. 01-4240.10-200 Salary of Stan at $17.50 per hour, works approximately 10 hours per week, which calculates to $9,100. However, his time is also shown in the Code Enforcement account 01-4191.10-901 in the amount of $7,000. Karen asked if the 10 hours per week represented time spent in both accounts, and was told yes. Karen motioned to reduce the Property Inspection Salary to $4,000 based on the estimated hours which may increase due to increased construction. Bonnie seconded, all in favor. Timber Inspection account 01-4240.10-201 is a function of timber cut. Karen motioned to leave it at $1,000, Carmine seconded, all in favor.

The Emergency Management accounts were reviewed. Carmine inquired who the Emergency Management Director is and was told John Goodney. Bonnie asked if he had come before the Committee and was told no. Karen asked for what the Emergency Center account 01-4290.10-202, $500 had been estimated and was told that the goal is to eventually have the town hall connected to a generator so the town hall can act as an emergency shelter. The $500 would purchase electrical items necessary to begin the process. Karen asked what the $300 radio line item would fund and was told that it was for radios for four people. With no basis regarding what type of radio and for whom, the amount was left.
01-4290.10-100 $300 Salary
01-4290.10-200 $500 Training
01-4290.10-201 $300 Radio
01-4290.10-202 $500 Emergency Center
Karen motioned to accept the four line items as requested, Carmine seconded, all were in favor.

01-4326.10-200 Septic $1,500 discussion ensued regarding the estimate for pumping the town hall. Tom motioned to approve the $1,500, Karen seconded, all were in favor.

Regarding the Health Officer, the salary line item of $1,200 had been recommended by the Select Board, Dr. Karpf stated he did not feel the need for a salary. Discussion on 11/14 regarding the separation of mileage and education resulted in two accounts: 01-4419.10-300 Travel and 01-4419.10-301, Budget which is understood to be Education.
01-4419.10-100 Salary $1
01-4419.10-300 Travel $150
01-4419.10-301 Budget/Education $300
01-4419.10-302 Office Supplies $75
Karen motioned to accept the Health Officer accounts as above, Carmine seconded, all in favor.


Regarding the Conservation Commission:
01-4611.10-300 $150 Membership to NHACC
01-4611.10-301 $200 Workshops
01-4611.10-302 $150 Operating Expenses
Tom noted that any money not expended is deposited to the CC account. Bonnie agreed and noted that $300 had just been deposited for 2007. Tom motioned to approve the budget as requested, Karen seconded, all were in favor.

01-4711.10-200 Principal Landfill Long Term Debt $30,000
01-4721.10-200 Interest Landfill Long Term Debt $22,625
01-4721.10-201 Interest Tax Advance Note (TAN) $1
04-4711.10-200 Principal Water Debt $21,750
04-4721.10-200 Interest Water Debt $24,061
Each of the debt instruments require principal and interest payments according to the amortization schedules. Karen motioned to accept all of the line items related to debt, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

There were several open accounts in the Water Department, as the Committee had waited to determine if the waterline upgrade on School Street, which will bring the line into compliance with proper fire code, would be presented as a warrant article. Because the article has not been brought forward, despite the increase in expense, with no additional water users being connected, the following were recommended:
04-4332.10-201 Contract Labor-Expansion $1 This reduction is due to the contract labor line 04-4332.10-200 which was approved at $15,000. At the time of that approval, the Committee had been told there is a $5,000 cushion in case there is a water line break.
04-4332.10-800 Expansion $12,300
04-4332.10-801 Expansion Piping $11,100
04-4332.10-802 Expansion Testing $500
These three expansion accounts were discussed and verified to the estimates for the School Street upgrade, therefore no change recommended.

04-4332.10-403 Water Meter Software Support $1,500 had been deferred pending a better understanding of what this might entail. Committee was told it is literally for what it is named, that with the water meters installed, and the related software to read them, the support estimate is this per year.

04-4332.10-900 Miscellaneous $750. This was dropped from what the Select Board had recommended as the actual miscellaneous spent in 2007 was higher based on circumstances that the department is trying to avoid (ledge, blasting, other non-planned items).

Karen again asked what the revenue impact would be to the water users. The Select Board had approved a 41% increase to the expense portion of the equation, not including any balance in the “Due to General Fund” account. Bonnie noted that the rates will be reviewed in 2008.
Because the expansion outlined is necessary for the fire protection of the buildings on and near School Street, Karen motioned to accept the above accounts, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

The following warrant articles were reviewed:
Bridge Replacement over Ammonoosuc River-Old Town Road-tax impact $45,000 estimated $0.12 per thousand cost to taxpayers. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, Carmine approved and Tom approved.

Listing of the various Capital Reserve accounts which total $141,000 estimated $0.375 per thousand cost to taxpayers. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, Carmine approved and Tom approved.

Chamber of Commerce request for $8,000 for the Information Booth (which would be null and void if the same or higher is approved in the Budget). Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.021 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, Carmine approved and Tom approved.

A $2,000 contribution to the Coalition of Communities. Tom questioned the need, since the “donor town” status is gone, Bonnie noted that there is an attempt to bring that classification back, and with our recent revaluation, we could be seriously hurt. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.005 per thousand. Bonnie then motioned to approve the warrant article, Carmine seconded, Tom approved and Karen approved.

A $904 contribution to Northern Human Services White Mountain Mental Health and Common Ground. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.002 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

A $2,000 donation to the Tyler Blain House in Lancaster, a homeless shelter. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.005 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

A $1,150 donation to the Littleton Regional Hospital. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.003 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

A $1,100 donation to the Weeks Medical Center . Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.003 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

A $750 contribution to Ammonoosuc Community Health. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.002 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

A $1,797 contribution to North Country Home Health & Hospice. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.005 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor.

A $346 donation to the American Red Cross. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.001 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor

A $1,650 donation to the Caleb Group. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.004 per thousand. Karen motioned to approve the article, Bonnie seconded, all were in favor

A five year lease purchase for a new fire engine, with a net cost to the town of $65,000. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.173 per thousand. Bonnie motioned to approve the article, Carmine seconded, all were in favor

A $43,000 request for salary and benefits for a second fire fighter. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.114 per thousand. Bonnie motioned to approve the article, Karen seconded, all were in favor.
$7,555 for monitoring the ground-water at the old landfill, engineering costs, lab fees. Funding from the Landfill Closure Capital Reserve Fund, therefore no cost to taxpayers. Bonnie motioned to approve the article, Carmine seconded, all were in favor.

$10,000 for physical maintenance of the old landfill, with funding coming from the Landfill Closure Trust Fund, therefore no cost to taxpayers. Bonnie motioned to approve the article, Carmine seconded, all were in favor.

$14,000 for disposal of bulky waste etc, with funding from the Recycling Special Revenue Fund,
therefore no cost to taxpayers. Bonnie motioned to approve the article, Carmine seconded, all were in favor.

$906.25 for Household Hazardous Waste. Karen motioned to amend the recommended amount to $906, as was requested by the Department of Revenue in 2007 and communicated to B. Dowling. Bonnie motioned to approve $906, Carmine seconded, all were in favor. The taxpayer cost for this is estimated at $0.002 per thousand.

$52,000 for design engineering fees for a Police Station, Fire sub-station. Tom questions why there is reference to the Fire sub-station, Karen noted she asked the Fire Chief the same question. The engineering plans are needed, whether the station is built soon or in several years. Bonnie noted the Building Committee plans on bringing a presentation to both the public hearing on 1/9 as well as the deliberative session on 2/5. Estimated cost to taxpayers $0.138 per thousand. Tom motioned to approve the article, Karen seconded, all were in favor.

Discussion then turned to the Recreation Department. A warrant article several years ago approved the institution of a Special Revenue Fund. The Town Treasurer said she is not aware of such a SRF. Karen said she had asked Lori who, is in charge of the Rec Dept, who deferred to Mollie White, as Lori had only recently joined the Dept. Mollie thought the article had been written and approved approximately 5 years ago, at the time a checking account was opened. Karen noted that the statute referenced in the original warrant article requires that voter approval every year must be obtained to access the funds. Bonnie stated that the issue must be brought to the attention of the Rec Dept immediately, as the warrant must be written and to the select board not later than Monday night so they can review it. Karen said she would let Lori and Mollie know by email on Friday 1/4. See attachment.

Carmine then wondered if the Rec Dept had put forward the warrant article for a van that had been discussed. Karen noted she could ask that in the email as well.

Karen informed the members that she will not be available for the Public hearing, and discussion ensued to ensure a quorum will be available on 1/9/08. Tom asked that the Excel Spreadsheet which Karen has maintained to reflect the dates, etc of the various votes be made available to the members. He will make copies for the public if they are interested. Karen will provide a copy to Jeff Duncan, who offered to make an overhead projection available.

With no further business, Karen motioned to adjourn at 8:20, Carmine seconded, all in favor. The next meeting is the PUBLIC HEARING and will take place on Wednesday January 9, 2008 at 6:00pm. This is not the deliberative session, but an opportunity for the public to review the budget prior to the warrant being posted.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Moran, Secretary

Town of Carroll, New Hampshire ®2024