Minutes of Meeting
Dunbarton Board of Selectmen
February 7, 2002
Chuck Graybill
Les Hammond
Janice Van de Bogart, Town Administrator
7:00 pm
Selectmen prepared for Budget hearing scheduled for 7:30 pm this evening. Chuck Graybill made the motion to accept the Proposed Budget for the year 2002 as written, motion was seconded by Les Hammond; all were in favor.
The Warrant for the Year 2002 was reviewed. It was the vote of the Board of Selectmen to recommend articles three, four, six, seven and eight and it was the vote of the Board of Selectmen NOT to recommend Petition article number 9. (Copy of Warrant attached.)
Larry Cook and Brett St. Claire from the Conservation Commission stopped in for a brief discussion on the acquisition of land at Kimball Pond. Chuck Graybill asked if the Conservation Commission would consider selling the Nassikas house on Kimball Pond Road with some land and the proceeds to be turned over to the town. He felt it was best advantage to the town to sell this property. Larry Cook stated that the commission would prefer to sell this property and the money be applied to the purchase of the land if the LCHIP money did not come through. They had thought of leasing to the Audeborn or some other group or to simply demolish it and make it part of the conservation forest. Chuck Graybill asked about timbering the property to recoup the $25,000. His question was not answered. Chuck also asked Larry to discuss with the Conservation Commission his proposal that they give their word that if the property is sold the $25,000 would come back to the town.
Les Hammond also mentioned that a proposal should be brought to the Town Forest Committee in regard to the their coming up with the $25,000. Larry Cook stated that when the whole proposal of purchasing the Nassikas land came about the Town Forest Committee was not interested in placing any of the Town Forest land up for Conservation. Les Hammond contacted Ed White by phone and he stated that he would be more than happy to walk the land.
7:30 PM - Budget Hearing on the 2002 Proposed Budget:
The Hearing was called to order at 7:40PM by Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst. The hearing was attended by the members of the Board of Selectmen; Town Administrator; various Department heads and approximately 25 members of the general public.
Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst reviewed the Anticipated Revenues for the year 2002: There were no questions.
Chairman J. R. Swindlehurst then presented the Proposed 2002 Budget for the Town:
* Executive: Down this year from last. No questions.
· Election & Registration: Increase of $5853. Increased Town Clerks salary from $3900 to $5000; increased hours of Deputy Town Clerk; budgeted for three elections (one last year). No questions.
· Financial Administration: Increase of $17,870. Includes increase for treasurer; Computer improvements to update all the programs; new copier; computer support fees are up; also technical assistance.
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Questions: Fred Mullen inquired about medical services: Answer: Include physical exams for new employees, drug testing for employees with commercial licenses and a full series of Rabies vaccine if needed.
· Board of Assessors: Increase of $5760. Appraisal services up. First increase in four years. No Questions.
· Legal: Increase of $29,125. The biggest increase here is for the Board of Assessors. The Chairman explained that the town has a legal case pending with a Utility who is appealing their taxes. The Board of Selectmen were advised to budget $25,000 to defend this case. There could be a potential loss of over $39,000 so the town will defend this in court. No questions.
· Personnel Administration: Increase of $18,436. Includes all benefits for all full time
employees. This year two full timers will be receiving benefits for a full 12 months where last year one started in April and the other started in September so the budget did not reflect the amounts for a full year. (These are Chief of Police and Supervisor of the Transfer Station.)
Question: Jeff Crosby asked why benefits are not budgeted in each departments lines.
Answer: Government accounting requires benefits to be budget separately.
· Planning & Zoning: Increase of $$3600. Includes mapping this year; cost of mailing of certified notices is up; engineering costs (noted that this does come in on the revenue side of the ledger). No questions.
· General Government Buildings: Increased by $24,025. Main increase is in the building improvements line. Included here are: siding and windows for the fire station $20,000; replacing tables at the community center $800; staining highway addition and transfer station buildings $800; finish the handicap lift at the police station $11,500; drywall, lights and finishing items for the highway addition, $8500; Roof inspection for the town hall and general maintenance of the town buildings..
Questions: Fred Mullen asked if the town would be willing to replace chairs at the community center. He was asked to get a count of what is needed.
· Cemetery: Down $1760. Last year’s budget included the purchase of the signs for the three cemeteries, this year’s budget does not. No questions.
· Insurance: Increase of $979. This in property liability insurance for all town buildings, vehicles and equipment. Includes $1000 for the deductible. No questions.
· Police: Increase of $18969. Includes: Full time chief for 12 months, prosecution fees up, chief takes care of prosecution; computer hardware; IMC computer tie in with Bow.
Question: Mr. Antuono: Inquired about the IMC computer tie in with Bow only being $1000. The chief explained that this was only limited to Dunbarton information, that Bow had most of the cost to set this up.
Question: Jeff Crosby stated that he had noticed that all the departments are using computers and that the cost has gone up.
It was pointed out that the Chief is going for certification and there is a need for more part time help due to the growing population in town.
· Fire Department: Increase of $4009. Budgeted for paramedic intercepts – being an unknown figure. Had only one call this year but not sure what will be. Mutual aid is up. There were more calls (20) in the year 2001 then the year before. Town is growing.
Questions: Brett St. Claire asked how the “points program” worked last year. Jon Wiggin stated that it worked out very well. Each person responding to calls and also training were awarded points. At the end of the year it figured out to be $4.00 a call.
* Building Inspection: Increase of $5440. Budgeted for secretary for two days a week;
includes a new computer program for $3500 that will issue permits and contain a history of each lot in town, list of variances, special exceptions, etc. No questions.
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· Emergency Management: No change. No questions.
· Highway Department: Increase of $10875. Budget for two flaggers at $6000 for the year; have included a line item of $38,000 for the purchase of a one ton truck for the town (reduced paving by that amount) to replace the 1986 one ton; included road striping for $4500.
Question: Mr. Antuono asked the year to date for winter maintenance. He was told that we would be glad to get them for him after the hearing.
Question: Mr. Antuono asked about the full time employee. What were his duties. He was told the full time employees duties which included plowing snow, sanding and salting roads.
Question: John Trottier asked what projects were in line for the year 2002. The questions was directed to the Road Agent, Jan Van de Bogart. Projects include: Finish coat of paving on Robert Rogers Road, work on Montalona Road, Black Brook Road to finished culvert and pave, to improve all the gravel roads, culverts on County Road, Long Pond Road, and to work on the Class six roads to make them passable for fire safety only. It was explained that the town can only expend funds to work on Class six roads for emergency purposes.
Question: Fred Mullen asked about the two culverts and guardrails on Stark Lane. Stark Lane is state maintained and the selectmen will be in contact with the state regarding these problems.
Question: Jon Wiggin, Fire Chief, asked about the status of Jacqueline Drive. He was informed that this was still a private road and that the town has the developer in court.
Question: Tim Terragni inquired if the boat ramp at Gorham Pond was the responsibility of the town. Answer: responsibility of the state.
· Solid Waste Disposal: Increase of $42304. Includes twelve months of budgeting for full time employee; C & D removal, more because can’t burn like before; Steel removal, charging for steel removal now, used to get money back; Tire removal, have to pay to take off rims because can’t put tire with rims in compactor. Have 24 tons of tire to take to Mass. These are tires already at the site, buried for years, must get rid of. Were quoted $1000 each for large tractor tires but can include them in a load to Mass for $105 a ton.
Question: Fred Mullen: Any limit on tires brought in. JR stated that we are currently charging for tires being brought in and can put up to 30 tires in each load to Penacook.
The fee schedule was explained as well as how Penacook figures the GAT for our town. Les Hammond stated that the town is growing and it is reflected in the amount of waste we generate. He went on to compliment the Recycling Committee for their hard work and for the great job the supervisor, Patrick Bowne, is doing. He pointed out the savings of the cost of a dumpster at the school, a savings of $5000 per year because the supervisor has built a covered trailer and he hauls it to the dump when needed.
· Animal Control. $25 increase. This budget includes fees paid to the state for animal control. No questions.
· Health Services: No Change, no questions.
· Welfare: No change, no questions.
· Parks & Recreation: Increase of $400. No questions.
· Old Home Day: No change, no questions.
· Memorial Day: Increase of $10,000. This is for the installation of the statue of Caleb Stark donated by the Allen family. Questions were asked about the statue: Jeff Crosby stated that the statue was about 6 ft tall and weighted over 1300 lbs. The Selectmen stated that the statue will be placed on the diamond shaped lawn on the South side of the Town Hall hopefully by Memorial Day.
· Historical Awareness: $2500 for the publication of their history book. No Questions.
· KTFCA: $300 for the trails. No questions.
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· Historical Society: $750. Les Hammond stated that the society never gets money from the town but the board felt that the town could help out with the insurance on their buildings.
· Library: Increase of $2510. Nancy Stone, Library Trustee Chair, explained that the increase was mainly due to the need to hire an accountant this year. No Questions.
· Conservation Commission: Increase of $25.00 . No questions.
· Money Articles:
· $124,000 from surplus for improvements and equipment for the transfer station. J. R. explained that the town currently rents from Waste Management all the containers and compactor and we have a contract that is up for renewal in October 2002. This money would cover the purchase of two compactors, that would be in the ground, with a hopper above, new retaining walls for the open top, a C&D container and a container for steel. Article five on the warrant ask if the town will allow the Selectmen to enter into a lease purchase agreement for the purchase of a truck to haul the containers. With this truck and equipment we will be able to haul FULL containers when we need to and save lots of money. $37,000 of the total above would represent equipment and the remaining $87,000 would be for land improvements. It was calculated that in four years time the equipment would be paid for with the savings. The construction at the site would be a one time expense. This new set up would enable the transfer station to be open to the public more hours because we do our own hauling.
Questions were directed to the Supervisor, Patrick Bowne, and the Recycling Committee. Lori Davis stated that this plan was not something the committee came up with on it’s own. They did lots of research and worked with DES to come up with the plan. DES knows the site and have been there to work with the committee.
· $34,000 for a new Police Cruiser: This would be a 4 x 4 Explorer to replace a 1993 crown victoria in rotation.
· $25,000 for the purchase of conservation land around Kimball Pond. The Conservation Commission has been working to raise funds from the State and Federal Government and from private donations to purchase 664 acres of land around Kimball Pond for conservation purposes. They need the town to contribute $25,000 to secure the sale.
Questions: Fred Mullen stated that being the Moderator he must stay neutral at town meeting but in this forum he wanted to say that Larry Cook and the members of the Conservation Commission have done an outstanding job in making this land acquisition possible.
· $430 for the Town Forest Committee from the Winslow Town Forest Fund.
· $26,014 – Petition Article – for the funding of a full time town clerk. J. R. Swindlehurst stated that this represents the cost from April 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002. A full year cost which includes salary and benefits would be $51,533.18 based on current benefit packages. Linda Peters, Town Clerk, was asked to speak on this proposed article. She stated that her services have increased and require added time. She now averages 25 hours a week and is asking for a 40 hour week at a rate of $18 per hour plus benefits offered to full time employees. This does not mean that she will be open to the public all those hours, part of the time would be for bank runs and balancing books, etc.
Questions: Lori Davis asked if the Deputy or assistant would be needed.
Answer: Linda Peters stated that she would still need a Deputy to fill in for illness or vacations.
Questions: Is this still an Elected Position. Answer: Yes.
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Various other articles on the warrant were discussed. Fred Mullen questioned the meaning of Petition Article #16 regarding the Selectmen making recommendations of the passage of money articles. The Selectmen are currently doing this. Lori Davis stated that she felt that is was important that the Selectmen
make known their recommendations because they are in the position to know if something is good for the town and if it is not. She felt they were the ones qualified to make these kinds of recommendations.
Jeff Trexler asked about Petition Article #12 regarding put services out to bid over $1500. Didn’t the town already pass an article on this? Answer: Yes, but it lapsed after one year.
Petition Article #10 regarding the election of Planning Board members instead of the current policy of appointment. There was much discussion on this subject between the general public in attendance.
Fred Mullen stated for the record that the PTO will be hosting a “Meet The Candidates Night” on March 5, 2002 (Tuesday) from 7PM to 9PM at the Dunbarton Elementary School, in the 4th Grade Classroom.
Budget Hearing was closed at 9:50 PM
Motion to adjourn by Chuck Graybill, seconded by J. R. Swindlehurst, at 9:55 PM. All in favor.
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John R. Swindlehurst, III, Chairman
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Chuck Graybill
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Leslie G. Hammond
Dunbarton Board of Selectmen
Recorded by: Janice Van de Bogart,
Town Administrator