TOWN OF FITZWILLIAM
2009-2010 Budget Committee Meeting
Thursday, October 29, 2009
- Present: S. Hagstrom, W. Wright, T. Parker,
F. Bateman, B. Doerpholz, W. Brown, C. Yon, P. Thompson
- Absent: B. Thomas, M. Nolan
Meeting opened at 7:00pm by S. Hagstom.
B. Doerpholz made a motion to accept 10/22/2009 minutes as written; W. Wright 2nd. Motion passed in the affirmative.
Welfare
P. Thompson reviewed the proposed budget for the welfare department. She explained that the total request is the same as 2009, but the allocation of funds are different in 2010. She indicated that the town has had numerous requests to help with electric (shut-off notices). She explained how this works with PSNH. There has been a lot less requests for heat/oil. P. Thompson believes this is because of other fuel assistance programs available. The welfare department has had more requests for rental assistance than mortgage. P. Thompson advised that the welfare budget for 2009 is in good shape and not in jeopardy of over spending.
S. Hagstrom asked if the recipients of aid are obligated to repay. P. Thompson stated that ideally the town would like to be paid back, but it usually does not happen. She stated that if the town helps with mortgage payments that a lien can be placed on the property and when it sells the lien gets paid.
W. Wright asked about social security and Medicare lines in budget request; it stayed the same as 2009. P. Thompson advised that she receives a stipend for handling welfare and that did not change from 2009 to 2010.
Health
B. Doerpholz asked if Health is handled by her as well. P. Thompson said no, that we had a part-time health officer that we shard with Keene and Swanzey, but this individual has resigned and Fitzwilliam is now advertising with Swanzey to hire a worker jointly. This is not an employee, but worker on an on-call basis.
S. Hagstrom asked about the threat of H1N1. P. Thompson said that this may be covered by the Emergency Mgt. budget, and that Chief Kassotis may have answers about the threat and how we’ll handle it.
S. Hagstrom asked what the health officer does. P. Thompson said inspect failed septic systems, uninhabitable houses, and inspections of day care and foster care facilities mostly.
Other Social Services
P. Thompson advised the committee the only requests to date that the town has received are from Helping Hands and Southwest Community Services. She stated that she has contacted the remaining that we usually receive requests from to see if they will be submitting a request for 2010. She indicated that she will update the committee if figures change but advised to use 2009 request amounts for consideration.
W. Wright asked about Meadowood. P. Thompson advised that their request is separate from these services.
W. Brown asked if representatives from the various agencies were coming in to “plead their case”. P. Thompson said that they had in the past, but since the requests were for the same amount as last year that a meeting may not be necessary. She did say that if the committee wanted to speak with a particular agency to let her know and she would arrange it.
C. Yon stated that the town had received a request from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) asking for $500.00 from Fitzwilliam. The funds would cover the training for advocates (volunteers) for children in the court system. B. Doerpholz asked if we could find out what other towns support this program and perhaps get a report of statistics from CASA. Will discuss this funding when more information becomes available.
Review of budgets scheduled for 11/5/09
P. Thompson updated the committee on the changes to the Rec. Dept., which includes restructuring and changes to the summer rec program which will reduce the budget.
The committee then reviewed and discussed Highway and Transfer Station in preparation for Nov 5th meeting. One area that may affect the Highway budget is the proposed “buy out” if employee goes on spouses insurance and does not have coverage through Fitzwilliam.
Motion was made to adjourn. Motion 2nd.
Meeting adjourned 7:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Heidi L. Wood
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