|
UNAPPROVED
PUBLIC HEARING – BUDGET AND WARRANT ARTICLES February 8, 2010
The Public Hearing was opened by Chair person Carolyn Boland at 7:10 p.m. The full Selectboard was present along with the Town Administrator and seventeen attendees who signed in.
Handouts were available showing the proposed Revenues, Expenses, Tax Rate Calculation and Capital Improvement Plan from last year.
Boland proceeded to review the Revenue page followed by the Expense page. Dan Harper questioned if there were any raises planned for the employees because he feels there should be. Boland stated the Town has some great employees but in considering the economy it was decided to forgo any step increases and there would be no Cost of Living increase this year. However, the health insurance would continue in the same manner as last year where a plan with a lower premium was instituted but no contribution from the employees.
The Tax Rate Calculation sheet was then presented and reviewed. The warrant articles were included in this review and Boland made note that everyone cooperated in bringing forth only what was critical. She noted that Kurt Grassett brought in a request for $20,000 to repair one truck rather than a request for $100,000+ to purchase a new one. The repair should keep that truck operational for an additional six to ten years.
Another notation was on the two articles referencing painting of the Meetinghouse. The first article asks to set up a Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of continued structural maintenance of the building and raising $5,000 to start the fund. Various permitted fund raising efforts would build the fund. Should this article fail, the next article calls for $5,000 to paint another portion of the building. Boland pointed out that if the Capital Reserve article passes, the second article would be withdrawn. In total, the warrant calls for under $30,000.
Boland thanked the Budget Advisory Committee for all their work in reviewing the budget and meeting with the various Department heads.
Hayes asked Police Chief Wood for an update on the Police Department and what constitutes some of the changes. Wood highlighted the personnel changes and his plan for being a community centered department.
Wood noted that he and Grassett are looking into a new phone system that would bring a cost savings to the town.
Sherman commented on the excellent Minutes of the Advisory Committee that were done by Marsha Kono. PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2010 PAGE TWO
Rich LeFebvre reported the committee spent a lot of time going through the budget and speaking with the department heads. He noted the Advisory Committee's appreciation for the department heads keeping their respective budgets under control this year. They feel the department heads know where they can make any reductions rather than having the Advisory Committee asking to make a blanket percentage reduction.
Hayes made note of the small group of people who came out to attend the hearing.
LeFebvre, speaking for the Advisory Committee, stated they feel this year's warrant articles are all valid requests.
The question was raised whether the Budget Advisory Committee's recommendation could be placed on the warrant along with the Selectboard's.
ADJOURNED: The hearing was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Caverly Recording Secretary
|