Town of Fitzwilliam, NH - Budget Committee Meeting Minutes 01/14/10

M. Nolan made a motion to accept 01/07/2010 minutes as written; F. Bateman 2^nd. T. Parker referred to the memo mentioned in the minutes and said that labor cost for the mowing and trimming of both cemeteries cost the town $9100.00. T. Parker stated that he believes this figure is very low and the actual cost to the town is much higher. B. Thomas asked where the labor burden for the cemetery budget was shown. Part-time salary line for 2009 was $31,203.00 with $26,264.29 expended. 2010 request is $29,200.00, and if you remove the $9100 for mowing and trimming, where is the remaining $20,100.00 used.

T. Parker also told the committee that the BOS had just been made aware of a 2000 or 2001 pickup available for about $4000.00. It has approximately 40,000 miles. B. Doerpholz asked that if this vehicle looks good and they decide to purchase it for the cemetery what is the process. T. Parker said that enough funds would be put into the operating budget to purchase the pickup and no other process would be necessary.

T. Parker presented the Executive budget. He explained that the difference in the salary line reflects the COLA that was given in 2009. The amount covers Jan., Feb., Mar.

He also explained, as with many budgets presented this season, the largest increase is to the health benefit line. This is because the change of plan for the town.

Line 305 $1800 in 2009 budget was to digitize tax maps. Nothing expended for 2009 because Avitar was paid through the reval line. C. Yon asked if the reval line should be transferred here (one line zero but other to increase). BOS to determine this. Request to remain the same, just how accounted for to change.

FYI C. Yon informed the committee that $1000.00 should be added to the Tax Collector’s budget for a new computer. Tax Collector has been having trouble and it is recommended that her system be updated.

318 Consultant Svc the majority of this is in General Govt. Blgs, but some funds specifically for executive computer service if needed.

Code updates that are by the BOS are covered in this budget, which some where in 2009, but none for 2010. Others are covered by the Land Use budget.

M. Nolan asked why no funds were requested for alarm monitoring. T. Parker explained that it is in the General Govt. Bldgs budget.

An increase to the printing the Town Report because quote from printer indicated an increase in cost. Are investigating changing format from 6X9 to 8.5X11.

C. Yon advised that line 629 needs to increase because a new printer in needed. Increase line 629 to a request of $400.00

M. Nolan questioned the overage for line 820 Meeting/Conferences. T. Parker explained that most of it covered the LGC conference in November. P. Thompson explained that this Board is involved and wants to go to meetings/conferences and in years past the Board was not interested in such things.

T. Parker presented the General Govt Bldgs budget. He explained that line 120 Part-time salary covers a town hall agent (which includes weekly cleaning of the town hall and public safety building). Employee benefits just cover social security and medicare for the town hall agent salary.

P. Thompson explained the overage of line 318 Labor Contrat Svc in 2009. Some projects done were: pumped town hall septic tank, tree removal from parking lot, fencing at fishing pond, signs at town hall redone, concrete pad for port-a-pot at town hall, as well as a privacy screen.

M. Nolan asked about line 412 Water, why had it been over expended in 2009 but requesting same for 2010. P. Thompson said that there was a toilet leak that went on for quite sometime undetected. That leak is now fixed and she does not anticipate any increase in water usage.

Line 440 Rental/Leases covers a storage unit on Rte 12 that houses documents that must be kept but that the town hall has no room to store.

T. Parker presented the Code Enforcement budget. He noted the decrease to line 120 Part-time salary does not reflect a decrease in hours but the anticipation of less building so fewer inspections. The decrease in this line makes up the majority of the budget request decrease of $963.00.

T. Parker presented this budget to the committee. He explained that Fitzwilliam is currently looking for a Health officer in conjunction with the town of Swanzey. Because the Health officer will not be an employee of the town the part-time wages have been moved to line 315 Consultant Services. Line 315 also includes mileage paid to the Health officer.

T. Parker reviewed the services that make requests of the town for funding (i.e. Monadnock Family Services, Helping Hands, etc.) and noted that Community Kitchen requested $5000 but the BOS is recommending $2000 just as in previous years. C. Yon said that the town did receive a request from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for $500.00 but the BOS have decided not to fund (just as in previous years). They did some research and this money would fund the training of the advocates, not actually help any individuals.

T. Parker reviewed the worksheet account by account. He stated that the BOS had not listing a figure under 4140.1 Town Clerk because they had some questions about the 2010 request.

4290.1 Emergency Mgt. added funds because renumbering Woodbrook for 911 purposes. Have to send certified letters to each residence that number has been changed.

4442 Direct Assistance M. Nolan asked for a break down of the $51,355 expended in 2009. P. Thompson indicated that the bulk of the money went to housing, then food, fuel, electricity and medication.

4584.1 Village Precinct request stayed the same as 2009 even though in 2009 only $1356.00 of the $2000 was expended. Spring cleanup was covered by FEMA because of the 2008 ice storm.

B. Doerpholz asked if the BOS had heard from the Firewards and if they had indicated that they would be adjusting their 2010 Ambulance budget request in regards to the on-call pay. T. Parker said that he didn’t know if they would be submitting a revised budget but that the BOS recommendation would reflect the change to the on-call pay.

P. Thompson asked if the committee felt they were on target for the February 4, 2010 Public Hearing. All felt that the date should stay the same and if necessary add a meeting before then on a different day. P. Thompson advised she would post the date as 2/4/10 for the Public Hearing.