TOWN OF FITZWILLIAM
2008-2009 Budget Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 15, 2009
- Present: Skip Hagstrom, Frank Bateman, P. Thompson
B. Doerpholz, C. Yon, B. Thomas, W. Brown, M. Nolan
Village Water District 7:04pm
F. Bequaert
F. Bequaert explained that this meeting is to present the budget and discuss the Village Water District budget with the Budget Committee and Selectmen. Budget Committee cannot sign this budget until after the Public Hearing, to be held Thursday 1/22/09. If there are no objections to the budget on 1/22/09, then the Committee can sign the Water District Budget.
F. Bequaert explained the previous year’s expenses and revenue. He also stated that the planned interconnect did not take place, but that 2 separate treatment units were installed to satisfy EPA requirement.
F. Bequaert stated that as of February 2009 he will no longer be the Commissioner for the Village Water District, but will consult. He also stated that in the fall of 2008 Ken Beckwith resigned as water system operator and that the Village Water District now must hire someone for the position, which has added to their expenses.
There were several questions about the use of Capital Reserve, if it were used, and for what purpose. F. Bequaert stated that he has discussed his budget with the DRA and all was o.k. P. Thompson questioned the “balance or surplus” amount. She stated that she believed that money taken from CR, not expended, needed to be returned to CR. P. Thompson also questioned Warrant Article #7, whether the figures and or language was accurate.
S. Hagstrom asked who wrote the warrants. F. Bequaert stated that he did. C. Yon added that these articles were for the Village Water District not the town.
F. Bequaert stated that he needs to know the outcome of the vote after the Public Hearing (how many YES/NO or if unanimous and the number of members voting). This was for the Public record.
F. Bequaert/Village Water District complete at 7:32pm.
HIGHWAY DEPT. 7:35pm
G. Cuomo
G. Cuomo submitted a revised budget for the Highway Dept. He explained that the changes were in the salary lines and related costs. He stated that after some discussion with the Selectmen the 4th full-time position is to be filled. The change in the budget reflects nine months for the fourth posistion at full-time status, salary and benefits. P. Thompson advised that this change is also reflected in the part-time salary, which has been decreased.
G. Cuomo stated that the only changes were full and part-time salary with related costs. He pointed out that there is only a 3% increase from the 2008 budget to the 2009 budget request (which includes the last lease payment for the backhoe o $33,000.00).
S. Hagstrom asked if there were any questions. There were none.
TRANSFER STATION
G. Cuomo
Line 120, part-time salary, decreased from $53,000.00 to $47,500.00.
Line 318, Labor Contrat. Serv., increased from $75,000.00 to $77,000.00. B. Doerpholz asked if this amount can be anticipated for future budgets. G. Cuomo said that more than likely it will be at least that amount. Based on “pulls” and chipping and removing brush pit.
Revised budget reflects a decrease of $4150.00 from original 2009 request.
S. Hagstrom asked if there were any questions. There were none. G. Cuomo complete at 7:54pm.
CONSERVATION
S. Hagstrom handed out an email received from Barbara Green in reference to changes in their budget.
The Conservation Commission has changed line 550, Printing, to $2000.00; original request of $3500.00; a $1500.00 decrease. They did not mention any change to line 120, part-time salary. Budget Committee recommends decreasing this line to $300.00. This matter can be addressed at the public hearing.
C. Yon stated that the selectmen voted NOT to support Capital outlay line 770, Land Acquisition, in the amount of $15,000.00. C. Yon explained that the Board voted this way last year as well. If the Conservation Commission wants the money they can get it in by petition. February 3, 2009 is the last day to submit articles by petition.
TOWN CLERK
Revised budget submitted to the Budget Committee to reflect the changes to postage and mileage lines as discussed on Jan. 8, 2009. Budget also reflects a decrease in line 120, part-time salary, to reflect COLA only.
S. Hagstrom asked if there were any questions. There were none.
F. Bateman made a motion to accept 1/08/2009 Minutes as written; B. Thomas 2nd. Motion passed in the affirmative; M. Nolan abstained.
H. Wood to contact S. Massin about the Library Warrant Article. There is some confusion about where the money for the ILS should be: Operating Budget or warrant Article. Budget Committee would like a budget that does not have the cost of the ILS in it and a separate Warrant Article for the ILS.
C. Yon indicated that the Committee has already reviewed Code Enforcement and General Gov’t Bldgs. So there should be no need for the Selectmen to “present” these budgets. All present agreed.
EMERGENCY MGT.
Selectmen talked with Chief Kassotis and the Town has a grant to cover the expense of finishing and printing Emergency Plan, so the question of the funds to cover this is no longer an issue. B. Thomas asked if that money needed to be present in the budget even if it’s a grant. P. Thompson stated that the money would not be in the budget, that the Town already received the money and just hadn’t used it to date.
Add $1500.00 to Line 840, Special Projects, to cover installing a generator interface at the VFW. This would allow the VFW to be used as a shelter if needed.
Public Hearing is scheduled for February 5, 2009.
Motion made to adjourn. Motion 2nd. Meeting adjourned 8:25pm
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi L. Wood
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