TOWN OF FITZWILLIAM
2009-2010 Budget Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 15, 2009
- Present: S. Hagstrom, W. Wright, M. Nolan, T. Parker,
F. Bateman, B. Doerpholz
- Absent: W. Brown, B. Thomas
Meeting opened at 7:00pm by S. Hagstom.
S. Hagstrom asked the members to review contact information and update Heidi if there were any changes regarding phone and/or email.
S. Hagstrom advised that the next meeting would be on Thursday, October 22 at 7pm.
He asked that all members review the schedule of meetings and advise him of any they knew they would not be able to attend.
S. Hagstrom stated that a Chairman and Vice Chairman needed to be elected. W. Wright nominated S. Hagstrom as Chairman; F. Bateman 2nd. M. Nolan nominated W. Wright as Vice Chairman; B. Doerpholz 2nd. T. Parker made a motion that all nominations cease and a single vote be taken for both positions. Vote passed unanimously for S. Hagstrom as Chairman of Budget Committee and W. Wright as Vice Chairman of Budget Committee.
S. Hagstrom asked T. Parker to review the Schedule of Revenues and Other Financing Sources with the committee. T. Parker went over the spreadsheet briefly explaining each line. Total Revenue and Non-Revenue year-to-date (through Sept. 2009) is $4,772,491.16, with a 2009 Budget amount of $889,561.00, a difference of $364,109.59. T. Parker advised to keep in mind that the second issue tax bill has not been collected at this point. One point that needs to be clarified is a difference of $130,900.00 under FEMA Reimbursement. T. Parker stated he would check with P. Thompson on this figure.
T. Parker then reviewed Schedule of Expenditures and Fund Transfers with the committee. These figures show YTD expenditures, total budget, and percentage of department budgets remaining. T. Parker stated that the figures shown are through September 2009 and that accounts for 75% of the year. Most departments have 30% or more remaining in their budgets. Some exceptions are Ambulance, which has approximately 9% remaining, but T. Parker advised that the Select Board is working with them to help with this (transfer funds from Fire Dept), and Insurance (10% remaining) but T. Parker stated that the bulk of the “bills” for this area have been paid already (liability and auto policies).
T. Parker wanted to advise the committee of a few items that the Select Board is currently working on that may affect budgets. The town is changing insurance for full-time employees and having 0% COLA. Initially the Select Board voted a 2% COLA, but the full-time employees agreed to forgo the COLA for reduced rates in insurance. T. Parker explained the 3-tier insurance program and indicated that they would have the 2010 fees in a couple weeks.
T. Parker also explained that the Select Board is looking at making the Town Clerk and Tax Collector’s positions a salary/stipend. The Recreation Director position is already this way. T. Parker also advised that the Select Board is looking at bids to mow cemetery. These are just a few things that may help with costs.
T. Parker discussed several pending legal cases that the Town has which may affect the Legal Expense line in expenditures spreadsheet.
Meeting adjourned 8:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi L. Wood
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