TOWN OF WILTON 2006-2007 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

January 30, 2007

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, Joyce A. Fisk, Donald C. Davidson Jr., Donna Pucciarello, Betsy Castro and Selectmen Representative Daniel Donovan

MEMBERS ABSENT David Tierney, Jr.

OTHERS PRESENT: Carla Walter, Police Chief Brent Hautanen, Fire Chief Ray Dick and others.

 

The AGENDA was as follows:

·         Wilton School Budget

·         Wilton Lyndeborough Temple Ambulance

·         Workman’s Compensation and Insurance Liability

·         Recycling Center

·         Planning Board

·         Police Department

·         Fire Department

·         Emergency Management

·         Minutes of January 23, 20071

·        Adjournment

 

Chairman Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

1.)                Wilton School Budget

 

Gilbert Hargrove and several members of the School Committee appeared before the Budget Committee to discuss their operating budget ($2,833,578) and proposed warrant articles ($55,467.79).  He explained a 2.6% increase in Regular Education, a 1.3% decrease in Operating, and a 2% decrease in separately voted warrants.  He also explained a collective bargaining agreement that was reached between the Wilton School Board and the Florence Rideout Elementary Support Staff Association which calls for an increase in salaries and benefits in 2007-2008 for $22,129.63 and in 2008-2009 an estimated increase of $15,403.77.  The $22,129.63 will be Warrant Article No. 1 for the School.

 

The Board noted $1.00 remains in the Other Special Programs, Public Out of State Tuition, as a precautionary measure recommended to the Committee.  They also noted an increase to Speech Services.  This was due to 12 new children entering the area.  

 

Gilbert explained the principal is retiring June 30, 2007 and the Board has included a $5,000 retirement package and increase in salary to this position to find a replacement.   He concluded Special Education Transportation has decreased almost 50%.

 

The Board thanked the Committee for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

2.)                Wilton/Lyndeborough/Temple Ambulance

 

Dick Rockwood appeared before the Board to answer any questions in regards to the Ambulance’s operating budget request of $243,395.  He reminded the Board that although the entire operating budget will now be in Wilton; Lyndeborough and Temple will still be providing their portions of the budget. 

 

The Board asked if Workman’s Compensation was included in the Ambulance Budget or the Town Operating Budget.  It was determined it was included in the Town Operating Budget and therefore decreasing their Workman’s Compensation request by $2,000, decreasing the budget amount to $241,395.

 

Carolyn McEntee explained their Capital Request of $8,000 for protective gear, as noted in the January 9, 2007 meeting.  She also reminded the Board all three towns must pass this warrant article for it to succeed.  Wilton’s portion of the $8,000 is $4,400.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $241,395 to the Ambulance Operating Budget.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $8,000 for eight (8) sets of Protective Gear for the Ambulance Department, subject to Lyndeborough and Temple’s approval.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

Dick thanked the Board for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

3.)                Workman’s Compensation and Insurance Liability

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $43,000 for Workman’s Compensation.

Voting:  7ayes; motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $42,000 Insurance Liability.

Voting:  7ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matters.

 

4.)                Recycling Center

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $594,246 for the Recycling Center’s Operating Budget

Voting:  7ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

5.)                Planning Board

 

Co-Chairman of the Planning Board Brian Sullivan appeared before the Board to seek approval for the Planning Board’s Operating Budget in the amount of $36,100. 

 

The Board asked why the Circuit Rider increased by 20%.  Brian explained they have a signed contract with NRPC at a higher hourly rate but fewer hours.  He further noted the contract amount matches last year’s request.  They have added $3,000 to the request to avoid budget overruns with the knowledge that town will be bring in at least that amount by passing fees onto applicants.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $36,100 to the Planning Board’s Operating Budget.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

Brian also requested $15,000 be a separate warrant article to fund 1/3 of a $45,000 study to determine the actual extent of the area that should be protected around the town water wellheads, as previously discussed at the December 5, 2006 meeting.  He explained the Wilton Water Commission would provide the balance of the funds as they expect 50% of that amount to be paid for by grants.  This arrangement was worked out by the joint Planning Board/Water Commission committee that was formed in response to concerns about gravel excavation near the town wells. 

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $15,000 for a wellhead protection study per the Planning Board/Water Commission Committee’s agreement.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

Brian thanked the Board for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

6.)                Police Department

 

Police Chief Brent Hautanen appeared before the Board to discuss his request for a Warrant article for a generator.  He explained that although it was in the Plans and budget to have a generator at the Station when it was built but it was cut from the budget at some point.  Brent has a quote from Southworth Henniker for $17,145, which is just for a generator.  This does not include fuel, a cement pad or the electrical installation of the generator.

 

The Board asked Brent to get specific figures and thanked him for his time.  They asked if there would be any other capital items for the Police Department. Brent noted a cruiser for $25,000.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

7.)                Fire Department

 

Fire Chief Ray Dick appeared before the Board to discuss his request for a Warrant article to replace his existing generator.  He explained that during a recent power outage parts for the generator needed to be replaced and were next to impossible to find.  He has received quotes for a generator for $3,599, $325 for a propane tank to run the generator and $3,000 for installation.

 

Ray also noted that he has received a Fire Act Grant from Homeland Security for $144,400.  $7,220 would be the portion the town needs to provide in order to receive this funding.  The funding would be used for 28 sets of turnout gear and 24 air packs.  Noting this, Ray explained he already set aside $7,200 in turnout gear and $1,000 in air packs in his operating budget which was approved by the Budget Committee on January 2, 2007.  The Board asked if this would be suitable with the auditors.  It was determined a separate warrant would be needed to appropriate the 5% match, ($7,220) from general taxation.

 

Ray thanked the Board for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

8.)                Emergency Management

 

Chairman Hughes explained to the Board an invoice for work to the generator in 2006 was received January 19, 2007.  Therefore, the Board would need appropriate $650.00 for 2007 instead of the previously voted $350.00

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to amend the Emergency Management Operating Budget to $650.00

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

9.)                Minutes of January 23, 2007

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the minutes of January 23, 2007 with the following amendments:

1.)    Page 1 - Members Absent and Present:  Mark Whitehill was absent only.  David Tierney, Jr. was absent only.

2.)    Page 4 – Conservation Commission:  Paragraph 3:  Replace Peggy Art with Peggy Arn

3.)    Page 5 – Capital Outlay and Reserves:  Paragraph 1:  Replace pours with bores.

Voting:  6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

10.)                        Other Business

 

Chairman Hughes asked that Revenue numbers be available for the next meeting scheduled for February 6, 2007. 

 

He also noted a work session that could run later than the usual adjournment on THURSDAY, February 8, 2007.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

11.)                        Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

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