Town of Dublin
Budget Committee
November 18, 2008 minutes
Present: Nancy Campbell, Ed Germain-selectmen’s representative, Judy Knapp, Curt Merrick, Rich Scheinblum-chairman.
Absent: Leslie Whone and Ken Woods.
Also Present: Rick Macmillan.
Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Rich Scheinblum.
Minutes of November 11, 2008 meeting moved, seconded and approved as written.
Ed Germain reported that Bill Raymond would have revenues for 11/25. Budget Committee will not be meeting that night.
Ed Germain reviewed the Code Enforcement/Building Inspector budget. The Selectmen had consulted with Peter Hopkins, from Greenfield, about this position. The Committee received a handout consisting of a flow chart showing the CEO position and how it interacts with various other town departments, a job description, notes re building permit costs, recommended office hours, tasks “other than building permits” in 2007, estimated revenue based on 2007 statistics and a 2009 budget. This handout also included information on the Health Officer position. The Selectmen feel the goal should be to make the CEO position as self-sufficient as possible.
Salary is $9,000, consisting of office hours 4 hours/week @$25/hour for 52 weeks ($5200) and the balance ($3800) on “other than building permits” (on an as needed basis and recorded in an administrative log). The rest of the budget is as follows:
- Social Security 4240.1-220 - $775.
- Medicare 4240.1-225 - $181.
- Mileage 4240.1-290 - $600.
- Telephone 4240.1-341 - $386.
- Miscellaneous 4240.1-395 - $200.
- Equipment 4240.2-430 - $200.
- Training 4240.4-291 - $300.
- Dues 4240.4-297 - $200.
Total budget: $11,642 for 2009 vs. $16,072 for 2008.
Questions raised were the following:
- Why salary figured on 52 weeks instead of 50, particularly when the Health Officer will be paid 50 weeks? Ed Germain will ask the other Selectmen.
- Why not limit office hours to certain weeks of the year when building is happening?
- Why only one occupancy permit issued in 2007? Nancy Campbell explained that a permit was only issued when asked for.
- Number of permits issued to date? Unknown.
Ed Germain presented the Health Officer salary. Ed explained that the Selectmen had compared 26 towns our size and that those salaries varied greatly. The Selectmen are recommending 2.5 hours/week for 50 weeks @$25/hour for a total of $3,125. 2008 budget was figured on 5 hours/week.
Ed Germain presented the Conservation Commission budget. The budget is the same as 2008 ($6,001) except for the addition of $500 for Open Space Planning Committee Supplies for purchase of maps and other supplies. It appears the Conservation Commission budget will again be underspent with approximately $2,000 going into their savings account. For the past two years the line for Maps and Photos has been funded at $1,000 and spent at $130-$150. Is there an overlap between maps among the Commission, the Planning Board and the Open Space Planning Committee? Rich Scheinblum will talk to Selectman Champagne (the rep to the Commission) about this budget - why it is consistently underspent and why do they want the same amount of money as previous years.
The Library budget was reviewed (the budget presented with 3% cost of living increases). The total 2009 proposed budget was less than 2008 budget, as was proposed revenue. There is a decrease in the Librarian and Assistant’s line. Nancy Campbell will look at 2008 budget detail and let the rest of the Committee know if there is a decrease in hours.
The Cemetery budget was reviewed and the following differences were identified from 2008 budget:
- Contract Services 4195.1-390 - $1,300 for 2009 vs $1,500 for 2008.
- Equipment Repair 4195.1-430 - $1,000 for 2009 vs $500 for 2008. This is due to the age of the tractor.
- Electricity 4195.1-410 - $0 for 2009 vs $128 for 2008. This item is coming from another line.
- Special Maintenance Projects – 4195.1-810 - $2,600 for 2009 vs $2,800 for 2008.
Total budget w/o salary/wage increases is $18,508.
Next meeting will be December 2, 2008 at 7 pm. The following will be discussed:
7:15 pm – Highway Department budget review with Brian Barden (Ed Germain to contact).
7:45 pm – Solid Waste budget review with Tom Kennedy.
8:15 pm – Salaries, Revenues, Warrant articles and complete budget review (if time permits).
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy E. Campbell, Co-Secretary
| 
