DUBLIN BUDGET COMMITTEE
Corrected Minutes – February 5, 2008 Meeting
Present: Nancy Campbell, Charles Champagne, Judy Knapp, Rich Scheinblum -chairman, Edward Germain – selectmen’s representative, Leslie Whone and Ken Woods.
Also present: Sterling Abram, Selectman, and Curt Merrick.
Meeting was called to order by Rich Scheinblum at 7:08 p.m. The January 29, 2008 minutes were approved as amended by changing fell to feel on Page 1, third paragraph.
The following changes were made to the budget based on new information:
1. Trust Fund Expenses- $3,000 based on 2007 expenses.
2. Selectmen’s Salary-$7,305 to reflect COLA increase.
3. Social Security-$43.45 to reflect Selectmen’s COLA increase.
4. Medicare-$10.16 to reflect Selectmen’s COLA increase.
5. Sale of Municipal Property-$15,500 to reflect $3,500 for sale of fire truck and $12,000 for sale of trees on Old Troy Rd.
6. Transfer from Special Revenue Fund- $3,000 to reflect wiring cost for balers.
Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Leslie Whone and passed unanimously to withdraw approval voted last week for Financial Administration budget. Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Leslie Whone and passed unanimously to change this budget to $80,132 because of change in Trust Fund expenses.
Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Nancy Campbell and passed unanimously to withdraw no-approval voted last week for Summer Playground budget. The Administration finally received a budget which was the same as 2007 with COLA increases. Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Nancy Campbell to approve budget of $20,678. After discussion on fees charged and whether the fee could be increased, the number of children attending and whether they were Dublin children or grandchildren of Dublin residents and the need for reports, the motion passed unanimously.
Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Leslie Whone and passed unanimously to withdraw approval voted last week for Executive budget. Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Judy Knapp to approve budget of 89,740. After discussion on whether or not Selectmen should get COLA raises, the motion passed 6 – Yes; 1 – No.
Motion made by Charles Champagne, seconded by Nancy Campbell to restore Police Department Clerical to 40 hours from 37.5 as voted last week, increasing this budget by $2,015 along with Social Security and Medicare costs-total Police Budget $324,347. After review of a letter from Chief Letourneau (attached) and discussion, the motion passed 5 – yes; 2 – abstain.
Discussion on Code Enforcement/Building Inspector wages and the need for the same hours as in 2007 with the economic slowdown that is occurring and the need to make the position revenue neutral. Selectmen believe there is more to the job than just building permits (i.e. code violations, driveway permits, and vacant buildings that need to be boarded up). No change in budget
Ed Germain reported on the water testing proposal. The cost will be $4,000. 50 wells (picked by the state geologist, hopefully in the 6 bedrock areas) will be tested in 2008. The cost of the testing is set by the legislature at $140.00/well. The EPA has agreed to fund the cost for 10 chemicals and NHDES will charge $3,500 for 6 chemicals with $500 additional cost for mailings and transportation to Concord. One person will come from Concord to do the tests. Tests will be done for arsenic, copper, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, chloride, fluoride, iron, lead, nitrate, potassium, calcium, sulfur, manganese, hardness and alkalinity.
Discussion on the use of the fund balance to offset some of the capital expenses, as well as the percent to be left in the fund balance. The Selectmen recommend taking $93,500 from the fund balance to offset the Cobb Meadow Road culvert ($69,000), Old Marlborough Road Bridge ($20,000) and Cemetery Tree Removal ($4,500). After taking these expenses out of the fund balance there would still be an 8% balance. The Selectmen will be drafting a policy for fund balance retention in 2008.
Warrant articles reviewed and voted on:
1.) Two balers at Transfer Station – Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Leslie Whone and passed unanimously to recommend $33,000 to purchase balers and to offset this expense from the Recycling Special Revenue Fund.
2.) Storage shed at Transfer Station – Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Leslie Whone and passed unanimously to recommend $2,000 to purchase a storage shed and to offset this expense from the Recycling Special Revenue Fund.
3.) Three phase power, loader bucket repair and telephone line at Transfer Station - Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Judy Knapp and passed unanimously to recommend $5,075 for these improvements and to offset this expense from the Recycling Special Revenue Fund.
4.) Cobb Meadow Road culvert – Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Leslie Whone and passed unanimously to recommend $69,000 to replacing the culvert and to offset this expense by taking $69,000 from the fund balance.
5.) Old Marlborough Road Bridge Replacement - Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Judy Knapp and passed unanimously to recommend $280,000 $300,000 to replace the bridge and to offset this expense by taking $20,000 from the fund balance and accepting the FEMA money.
6.) Town Bridge Study - Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Judy Knapp and passed unanimously to recommend $19,125 and to offset this expense by taking $19,125 from the Remediation Fund.
7.) Traffic Calming - Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Nancy Campbell to recommend $510,000 for traffic calming on Route 101 and to offset this expense with the $510,000 grant received for this purpose. Motion passed 5 – Yes; 1 – No; 1 – abstain.
8.) Fire Department Truck – Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Nancy Campbell and passed unanimously to recommend $325,000 to purchase a new pumper truck and to offset this expense by a long-term borrowing or capital lease (having no effect on 2008 taxes).
9.) Cemetery Tree Removal - Motion made by Rich Scheinblum and seconded by Edward Germain to recommend $4,500 to remove 2 old trees and replace one and to offset this expense by taking $4,500 from the fund balance. After discussion on the wisdom of taking this expense from fund balance, the motion passed 5 – Yes;
1 – No; 1 – abstain.
10.) Water Testing – Motion made by Rich Scheinblum, seconded by Judy Knapp to recommend $4,000 for the water testing proposal as outlined above by Selectman Germain. Motion passed 6 – Yes; 1 – No.
Rich Scheinblum reported the final budget to be raised by taxes was .89% higher than 2007. Motion made and seconded to recommend a total budget of $3,131,157 (comprised of $1,732,957 for operating expenses, $126,500 for capital reserve and expendable trust expenses and $1,271,700 for warrant articles); revenues of $1,916,049; amount to be raised by taxes $1,215,108. Motion passed 6 – Yes; 1 - No.
The next meeting will be the public hearing on the budget, February 12, 2008, 7:30 pm. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Campbell, Co-Secretary
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