DUBLIN BUDGET COMMITTEE
Minutes – January 9, 2008 Meeting
Present: Nancy Campbell, Charles Champagne, Edward Germain- selectmen’s representative, Judy Knapp, Rich Scheinblum – chairman, Leslie Whone and Ken Woods. Also present: Sterling Abram (after Conservation Commission meeting).
Meeting called to order by Rich Scheinblum at 7:05 p.m. Motion made, seconded and passed to approve the December 11, 2007 minutes as written. Sign-up period for town officials is January 23-February 1, 2008.
Ken Woods gave a report on Health Insurance. He has bid out the Town’s health insurance to see if we are getting the best deal. The package has been sent to four carriers for an HMO, a PPO, an HSA (a funded account) and an HRA (a promise to pay account). This also includes Life and Disability Insurance. Ken also reported that he attended the School Board meeting; they are looking at increasing the employee share of health insurance from $0 to $500 deductible.
Ed Germain reported the following re warrant articles:
1.) No warrant article for technology items-the Police Department will fund their upgrades out of their bequest and the Town bought laptops out of the 2007 budget.
2.) Town Hall Roof is okay -the shingles that have come off need repair.
3.) Town Hall Painting-Another estimate needed; Macmillan Company is being asked for an estimate to include the painting in the Town Hall renovation.
Rich Scheinblum reported that the budget as presented in December is 24% higher than the 2007 budget. One of the factors in this increase is the purchase of a new fire department pumper truck. The updated estimated cost is $310,000 with perhaps an additional $20,000 for condensed foam. This updated figure will reduce the budget increase. A committee is in place reviewing this purchase consisting of Stephen Black, retired Peterborough Fire Chief, Tom Vanderbilt and a financial person. Questions still unresolved are how to finance the purchase, why is this truck more expensive than other towns who have recently bought trucks, the need for 4-wheel drive vs. drop down chains and the need for additional bids.
Discussion of staffing levels with no decisions reached.
Rich Scheinblum again asked the Selectmen what their goals were in relation to a budget increase. Ed reported they hope to have a position by Monday (1/14). The Budget Committee consensus was an increase of between 3-5%. The Budget Committee was charged with coming to the next meeting with a prioritized list of budget items, hoping to reach a 3% increase.
Rich Scheinblum will ask Bill Raymond to provide the Budget Committee with the detail on 2007 expenditures.
The next meeting January 15, 2008 at 7 pm at the Town Hall. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Campbell, Co-Secretary
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