Town of Dublin
Budget Hearing
February 12, 2008
Present from the Budget Committee: Nancy Campbell, Charles Champagne, Ed Germain-selectmen’s representative, Judy Knapp, Rich Scheinblum-chair
Absent from the Budget Committee: Leslie Whone, Ken Woods
Also Present: Barbara Sovik, Jim Sovik, Adele Knight, Gordon Knight, Brian Barden, Priscilla Miller-Monadnock Transcript Ledger, James Letourneau, Tom Kennedy, Joseph Cavanaugh, Sterling Abram, Anne Anable, Tom Vanderbilt, Curt Merrick, Peter Tuttle, Edith Tuttle, William Raymond, Kathy Merrick, Bruce Simpson, Kay Horgan, Elliot Pellitier, Rick Macmillan
Hearing called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Rich Scheinblum
Chair Scheinblum read the public notice as printed in the Monadnock Transcript Ledger. Reviewed housekeeping matters and introduced the members of the Budget Committee.
R. Scheinblum introduced the budget and outlined the mission of the budget committee in preparing the budget. Obstacles faced this year were increased health care costs, compensation increases, increases in retirement and capital expenses. This is the 3rd year in a row that the Budget Committee has presented a budget with less than a 1% increase. He thanked the Board of Selectmen and department and committee heads for the cooperation in the completion of the budget.
Chair Scheinblum went through agenda: comparison information, town spending, budget review. Comparison was made to other towns in the Conval School District. Graph and spreadsheet for proposed 2008 budget of percent of budget by categories.
Budget Presentation: Exhibit A-1: Summary of budget by revenue, operating expenses, capital reserve and expendable trust, warrant articles, and the amount to be raised by taxes, compared with prior years.
Exhibit B-1: Expense Detail – went over expense budget by department and highlighted dollar variance from last year and reason behind any major expenses.
Executive: increase $6,841. Explained the variance with Selectmen’s budget in Executive Clerical line. Selectmen request it be expanded to 16 hours, Budget Committee voted to maintain at 10 hours.
Elections: increase ($4,932) is a function of the number of elections
Financial Administration: (-$2,214) audit increase ($6,000) is offset by decreases associated with new town clerk
Revaluation: decrease (-$7,351) due to last year needing zoning updates
Legal: (-$6,000) decrease in legal (-$7,000) and increase in prosecutor ($1,000)
Personal Administration: increase ($1,320) based on actual workmen’s comp premium
Planning and Zoning: decrease (-$4,624), related to consultant fees
General Government Building: increase ($2,493) due to heating oil
Cemetery: increase ($865) compensation increases and maintenance projects
Insurance: increase ($2,070) in liability based on actual premium
Regional Association: decrease (-$29) in dues
Other General Government: increase $1,186) due to increase in Employee Recognition and Rewards
Police: increase ($12,478) due to increases in compensation and gas
Fire: increase ($13,865) due to propane, maintenance on vehicles and ambulance costs
Building Inspection: decrease (-$275) due to fewer weeks for salary compensation
Emergency Management: decrease (-$125)
Highway: decrease (-$13,399) reduction in road construction offset, salary and fuel increases
Street Lighting: increase ($280)
Solid Waste Disposal: increase ($9,320) in compensation and disposal fees. Question on temp employee
Health Administration: decrease (-$300) due to fewer weeks for salary compensation
Animal Control: same
Health Agencies: increase ($86) function of population
Welfare Administration: increase ($4,524) due to increased need, but offset by revenue from trust. Question as to why lower than last year
Parks & Recreation: no increase
Summer Playground: increase ($450) due to increase in compensation
Library: increase ($3,977), related to compensation and fuel
Patriotic: no change, same as 2007
Dublin Advocate: decrease ($823) will maintain number of issues for slightly less money
Conservation: Explained that land use tax transfer of $18,853 due to warrant article last year and what was left in last year’s budget (approx $2,000). Suggestion that this should show as an expendable trust. Does it affect taxes, yes
Principal Long Term Notes and Bonds Total: actual numbers from debt payment schedules
Interest Long Term Notes and Bonds Total: see above
Revenues: Exhibit C-1:
Chair Scheinblum only explained major items: most are related to warrant articles
Other State & Grant Reimbursement: Traffic Calming Study- revenue from 2 grants
Old Marlborough Road Bridge – reimbursement from FEMA and State Bridge Fund
Contributions & Donations – Town Hall: No Town Hall in 2008 budget.
Transfer from Special Revenue: transfer from recyling fund (to offset warrant articles)
Proceeds from Long Term Bonds – fire truck warrant article
Fund Balance Transfer – bridge repair/Cobb Meadow Road Culvert and Cemetery trees
Warrant Articles: All warrant articles are recommended by both Budget Committee and Selectmen.
#1 – #3 - Transfer Station Balers (#1), Transfer station storage shed (#2), phone line, 3 phase, loader repair (#3): revenue from recycling fund. No impact on taxes. Eliminate phone line $1,000; $1,800 rebuild bucket $2,275 convert 3-phase total $4,075. Discussion if amounts were accurate. Selectmen suggested that the amount remain the same and could be changed at Town Meeting if necessary
#4 – Water Testing: last phase of water/bedrock study: $4,000. Ed Germain spoke to this article. This amount is based on 50 well tests at $140/well
#5 - Fire Truck: $325,000. Revenue from proceeds of long-term notes, etc.. Also explained what other towns are doing: bonding, leasing, etc. versus capital reserve. At this time not sure whether it would be capital lease or a bond.
#6 – Study of Town Bridges: Revenue from Remediation Fund, no impact on taxes. Will study all bridges and culverts and make recommendation for capital improvement plan over the next 6 years.
#7 – Cobb Meadow Road Culvert: Fund Balance, no impact on taxes. Will be fixed with an insert and wings on ends to stop erosion
#8 – Old Marlborough Road Bridge: State, FEMA, 20K fund balance
#9 - Cemetery Trees: fund balance, remove and replace 2 trees
#10 – Traffic Calming: revenue and expense offset
Question of revenue from lumber on Old Troy Road. In sale of municipal property. Will be selective cutting.
Capital Reserve:
Heavy Highway 25,000
Police Cruiser 13,000
Fire Equipment 25,000
Town Building Maint 20,000
Major Maintenance And Library Rep 5,000
Bridge Repair/Replacement 20,000
Total $108,000
Sterling Abram spoke to this fund.
Expendable Trust:
Cemetery 7,000
Reevaluation 10,000
Master Plan Update 1,500
Total $18,500
Nothing will be put in the Remediation Fund this year.
Hearing Adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith Knapp
Co-Secretary
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