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DUBLIN BUDGET COMMITTEE
Minutes – September 16, 2008 Meeting
Present: Nancy Campbell, Edward Germain – selectmen’s representative, Judy Knapp, Rich Scheinblum - chairman, Curt Merrick and Leslie Whone
Absent: Ken Woods
Meeting was called to order by Rich Scheinblum at 7:07 p.m. The July 15, 2008 minutes were accepted as written with one abstention.
Selectman Germain reported that the Selectmen’s draft budget would be ready by the first meeting in October. After advertising and interviewing, there is no candidate for the vacant Police Officer position. At this point it is unknown if part-time help will be used or the job will be re-advertised. Currently Sheriff Deputies are being used in addition to overtime for the vacant position. It is unknown at this point whether or not the Town is saving money or spending more money without a 3rd officer.
Selectman Germain reviewed the Highway Department budget. This budget did not reflect any salary or wage lines. The Committee strongly suggested that 2008 budget numbers be used in all salary and wage line budgets for comparison purposes (Selectman Germain concurred with this). Discussion about the need to wait until November for employee compensation figures because of the need to wait for the LGC survey, which delays the budget process. Selectman Germain thought employees could be interviewed before November and that there would be no need to do a wage survey this year.
The following line items are changed from the 2008 budget:
Mileage (4312.1-290) - $3,297 for 2009 vs $2,100 for 2008 – 5940/year @ .555/mile.
Oiling Projects (4312.1-810) - $66,000 for 2009 vs $40,000 for 2008 – Monument and East Harrisville roads will be chip sealed and there will be crack sealing of some roads.
Road Construction (4312.1-910) - $105,000 for 2009 vs $85,000 for 2008. The plan is to put a 1” finish coat on Windmill Hill road from Upper Jaffrey to Parsons Road, 2” overlay from Parsons to Pierce Road which includes regrinding and repaving the road. Discussion whether or not the Town needs to hold a hearing to accept money from the Petrones to pay for the culvert which needed to be installed at the corner of their driveway and Windmill Hill. Also, was there Town employee time that was paid for by the Petrones? Selectmen Germain will find out and report back to the Committee.
Contract Services (4132.4-910) - $26,000 for 2009 vs $23,500 for 2008. This includes roadside mowing ($4,000), road sweeping ($9,600), gravel hauling for road construction ($8,000) and equipment rental ($4,000).
Salt (4312.5-690) - $9,000 for 2009 vs $6,500 for 2008. 150 tons @$60/ton plus transportation fees which have increased.
Telephone (4312.9-341) - $1,200 for 2009 vs $1,500 for 2008. This is for the landline phone, the cell phone and DSL service.
Electricity (4312.9-410) - $1,827 for 2009 vs $1,925 for 2008.
Heating Oil (4312.9-411) - $6,824 for 2009 vs $5,036 for 2008. This includes both heating oil (contract price of $3.896/gal for 1,498 gals.) and propane (contract price of $2.50/gal for 395 gals.).
Building Repairs (4312.9-490) - $2,700 for 2009 vs $1,500 for 2008. Three new door panels.
Diesel (4132.9-634) - $43,000 for 2009 vs $28,985 for 2008. 10,703 gals. @ $4.00/ gal, which is an estimate. There is no contract price for diesel. The possibility is being explored of a central site for bulk buying, perhaps Peterborough.
The rest of the Highway Department line items were the same as in 2008.
Selectman Germain presented possible warrant articles to date:
- Slide-in sander for 1-ton truck - $7,500. The sander will be stainless steel and used to sand parking lots and for emergency situations.
- Used Sidewalk Plow / Snow blower - $35,000-$40,000. If bought new, the price would be $100,000. Discussion on whether or not there would be a need for this item in 2009, why the purchase was not part of the Traffic Calming Project and why this was the first time this item had come up for discussion (it was not part of the CIP). The Committee suggested that Peterborough and Marlborough be consulted about their sidewalk plows.
- Energy Saving Measures - $30,000. This figure is a guess. It would include a new furnace for the Highway Barn with a hot water tank. A preliminary energy audit of all Town buildings has been done, with the exception of the Landfill.
- Police Station - $15,000. All windows would be replaced, one basement door replaced, several windows eliminated and the basement ceiling insulated.
- Town Hall – Chairs for the top floor- no figure available.
- Town Hall basement mold problem - $6,000 - $10,000.
- Town Hall exterior painting – approx. $35,000.
- Computer upgrades – This includes one new laptop for the Selectmen and Planning Board and one new desktop. No figure available-Judy Knapp will check the state contract price and let Selectman Germain know.
- Police Cruiser replacement - $27,000. This is to replace the Ford cruiser. The price includes $5,000 for special equipment (i.e. lights, radio). Discussion on a longer replacement cycle. Chief Letourneau wants to keep the current schedule because if the Town goes to three cruisers, the older one will be kept longer.
- Landfill Baler replacement -$18,000. This is to replace a single phase baler (20 years old and a safety issue) with a three phase one. Money also included to re-do the lights.
- $1 million bond issue – unknown if this will be proposed.
To date, there are no requests from the Fire Department or the Cemetery.
The Budget Committee agreed on the following schedule of meetings:
October 14, 2008 – Review of 3rd quarter expenses, Police, Fire and Landfill budgets
October 21, 2008 – Selectmen’s budgets (i.e. Government buildings, Town Office Expenses, Revaluation, etc.
October 28, 2008 – Committee budgets (i.e. Conservation, Planning Board, etc.)
November 11, 2008 – Any other budget not previously presented
November 18 – First review of entire budget
February 10, 2009 – Budget Hearing; February 11, 2009 – snow date
Chairman Scheinblum will email the Committee the schedule. If it is possible all budgets will be emailed to Committee members.
The next meeting will be September 23, 2008 at 7 pm to review the Capital Improvements Program. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Campbell, Co-Secretary
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