TOWN OF FITZWILLIAM
2008-2009 Budget Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Present: Tom Parker, C. Yon, P. Thompson, S. Hagstrom,
F. Bateman, B. Doerpholz, M. Nolan, W. Wright, M. Methe,
B. Thomas, W. Brown
PUBLIC HEARING
7:01pm
S. Hagstrom opened the meeting by welcoming all. Approximately 25 individuals were in attendance.
S. Hagstrom explained that they would just read through the presented budget line by line stating requested amounts and recommended amounts.
J. Tommila asked if people could ask questions as we go or wait until the end. S. Hagstrom said to ask when that line item is being reviewed.
4194 General Govnt Bldg.
J. Tommila asked why this line item has increased approx. $17,000 over last year. C. Yon explained that there were two primary reasons for the increase. First, the Town hired a Town Hall agent to do miscellaneous jobs around the town hall. This was once done by the Highway Dept. Second, the amount and price/gallon of heating fuel has increased.
4210-4214 Police
J. Tommila asked about the increase to this line. Chief Kassotis stated that fuel costs were a major factor and the department is now fully staffed which has increased patrol time, leading to usage of more fuel. Chief Kassotis briefly discussed the improvements to the department and service to the Town.
4441-4442 Admin & Direct Asst
J. Tommila asked about the increase to this line. C. Yon stated that in 2008 the Town issued $60,000 in assistance and with the economy the way it is the town should be prepared to aid at least as much as last year. The Board is anticipating an increase in need.
4909 Improv-not bldgs.
J. Tommila asked about this line. S. Hagstrom explained that the detail and break down is on the next page of the packet. This line includes:
Road Projects $313,850.00
Library Software $9000.00
Ice Storm Debris Clean-up $135,000.00 (approx. 75% will be covered by FEMA).
4916 Fire Dept Equip Exp Trust
W. Prigge wanted to make clear that the Fire Dept. DID NOT request any funds for this. The CIP actually recommended the $40,000. This line will be zeroed out.
W. Prigge also stated that the Ambulance had requested $20,000 for Capital reserve that was not recommended by CIP.
4916 Recreation Maint. Exp Trust
C. Yon explained that this would be covered by transferring funds from on trust, which will be dissolved, to another. Have not voted on this yet, will be covered at town meeting, but anticipate that it will pass.
C. Yon wanted to be sure people understood that the $44,100 under Capital Reserve (not Capital Projects) would not be raised by taxation.
S. Hagstrom completed the review of the 2009 Budget Worksheet. There were no direct questions. S. Hagstrom asked if any one had comments.
M. Wittenborg stated that she believes that people may be shocked by this budget because there are no major reductions. S. Hagstrom said that departments have kept very tight budgets. M. Wittenborg commented that there are no cuts, just maintaining. She stated that Cemetery, Public Works and Recreation might be areas that could be reduced. S. Hagstrom explained that the Budget Committee looked very hard at the Highway budget and thought about making cuts but realized it would cost more in the future for work that needs to be done. Only delaying the inevitable. M. Wittenborg went on to say that wage freeze and no COLA are other areas to save. C. Yon explained that there are no merit increases this year and the Select Board discussed whether or not to allow COLA. He stated that
Social Security COLA for 2009 is 5.8% and the town is recommending 3.5% COLA. We need to keep our wages competitive. C. Yon said to put it in perspective for town services (the budget we are reviewing tonight), on a $200,000.00 assessed home $900.00 of you tax bill covers this budget.
V. Fisher commented that she herself has not had an increase in pay for sometime, yet she has to pay, through her property taxes, for others to get one. She is sure that she is not the only one in this situation.
M. Wittenborg thought that the town should look at the budgets that would have the least amount of impact on services. Perhaps the Cemetery and recreation budgets could be cut.
M. Grab said that the cemetery has a 0% increase, even with COLA. He explained that this budget cannot be cut unless services are cut. Basically that means less work would be done to maintain the cemeteries.
T. Parker wanted to address the issue of COLA. He explained that a 3.5% COLA for all employees of the town calculates to $23,950.00 of the overall budget. So if this were to be eliminated, only about $24,000 would be saved, a very small percentage of the overall budget.
The question of a default budget was brought up. There is no default budget, we are not a SB2 town. However, a motion can be made, and 2nd, at town meeting to cut the budget.
If, at town meeting, a motion was made to increase the budget, the budget can only be increased by 10% of recommended amount.
W. Wright discussed the School budget briefly. He thanked John Tommila fro his years of service on the School Budget Committee. Mr. Tommila did not file for re-election.
Mr. Tommila commented that the town could save money by voting to change the funding formula for school. He said that they have not tried to do this because the support of the Fitzwilliam citizens at the Hearings is very small. Need to have more people willing to go to meetings and vote.
Several individuals expressed there concern about the budget process. C. Yon said that the Select Board would be happy to listen to any ideas that they may have. He explained that leases and bonds have been explored. D. Bemis stated we should purchase as needed instead of putting away money every year. J. Tommila questioned the 3-year lease on the new cruiser. Why not get a vehicle that’s more fuel efficient. M. Wittenborg recommended a zero-based budgeting system. S, Hagstrom said that the Budget Committee has discussed that already. After a brief discussion on budgeting, S. Hagstrom asked if there were any more questions regarding the budget in review this evening. There were none.
S. Hagstrom thanked everyone for attending. Public Hearing complete at 8:14pm.
BUDGET WORK SESSION
8:21pm
B. Doerpholz made a motion to recommend $0.00 for 4916 Conservation Exp Trust; M. Nolan 2nd. Budget Committee briefly discussed this. P. Thompson advised that no matter what the vote is tonight the issue will be discussed at Town Meeting because of petition. Motion passed in the affirmative 6-1 (F. Bateman voted in the negative).
Discussion about line 4916 Fire Dept Equip Exp Trust. Zero that line since the Fire Dept never requested the amount. Add Ambulance CR in the amount of $20,000. M. Nolan made a motion to fund $0.00 for Ambulance Capital Reserve; B. Doerpholz 2nd. W. Wright stated that if there is a vote on this he will abstain because of conflict of interest. There is currently $56,000.oo in CR fund now. CIP did not recommend because of new billing system. May want to wait and see what comes of this for helping to fund ambulance. T. Parker stated that there were other possibilities in funding a new ambulance if necessary, such as bond/note or lease. M. Nolan called the vote. Motion passed in the affirmative to fund $0.00 for Ambulance Capital Reserve 6-1 (W. Wright
voted in the negative).
4909 Ice Storm Debris Clean-up
Requested amount of $135,000, with 75% covered by FEMA. B. Doerpholz made a motion to recommend $135,000; M. Nolan 2nd. Motion passed in the affirmative 7-0.
P. Thompson advised the Committee to stop by the Selectmen’s office to sign warrant.
F. Bateman made a motion to accept minutes from 1/29/2009 as written. W. Brown 2nd. W. Wright abstained. Motion passed in the affirmative 6-0.
Motion made to adjourn. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned 8:57pm
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi L. Wood
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