Budget Committee

Minutes

January 17, 2006

Official as of May 30, 2006 

Vice-chair Shelley Bobowski calls the work session to order at 7:05 p.m.

PRESENT: Vice-Chair Shelley Bobowski, Selectman Representative Scott Bryer, Ben Edwards, Robert Bailey, Robert Jean, Nona Holmes, John Jacobsmeyer, Mark Edwards, and Board Administrator Linda Smith.  Chairman McNally arrives at 7:17.

ABSENT: Cindy Jones-Bryer, Richard Gendron, Steve Foley, Douglas Briggs, and Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver.

TOWN REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT:

Selectman Chair Lucy Edwards, Selectmen Ken Witham, Town Administrator Tammie Beaulieu. Library Trustees Norma Heroux, Librarian Donna Bunker.

Mr. Jean presents data to support COLA increases that he has calculated. Copies are provided to the members and the material is reviewed. Mr. Jean states that the average for COLA increases is shown to be 3.8%. Mr. Bryer states that historically the BOS has used the numbers provided by the social security administration. Mr. Jacobsmeyer explains the COLA increases for all civil service-military, federal government, etc. He states that the military also uses the social security administration, which is based on a three month period.

Mr. McNally arrives at 7:17.

Additional discussion ensues regarding the COLA percentage increase. Mark Edwards states that the he has done some research; the school has gone up 35% from 2004-2006. He adds that the town has gone up approximately 40%. He adds that currently there are 32 homes for sale and 16 homes available to rent. The majority is the elderly and is all relative to spending the tax payers money.

Page 46-49: Dept. 45501~Library:

Scott Bryer makes a motion to recommend the selectmen’s amount of $141,395. Bob Jean seconds. Mr. Bryer states the big difference is in the full time position proposed for a children’s librarian. Mr. Bryer adds that there was also a purchase of a circulation system, line 45501-690. Ms. Bunker states that the cost of the system was $11,554. A discussion is held regarding the proper procedure of having discussions on motions and line items. For discussion purposes, Mr. Bryer withdraws his motion. Mr. Jean withdraws his second.

Mr. Jean makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to discuss the COLA percentages. Mr. Jean returns to the data presented and discussions are held. Ms. Bobowski appreciates that Mr. Jean collected this data and made it available for the committee; however, she states that since the conventional way has been using the social security administration for the percentages, she is more inclined to stay with that process. Much discussion is held between Mr. Jacobsmeyer and Mr. Jean regarding how COLA percentages are calculated. Mr. Jacobsmeyer explains that the COLA is based on last quarter of the year as it is projecting the increase for the coming year. Mr. Jean states that the COLA is determined by inflation rates and adds that there will be a huge increase to salaries if these numbers remain. Mr. Bryer notes that every year the COLA percentage changes. Ms. Bobowski requests historical data from the social security administration that the town has used over the years to base the COLA percentages. Mr. Jean amends the motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to adjust the COLA percentage to 3.38% based on inflation rate produced by the Department of Numerous Statistics. VOTE: YES: BJ. NO: SBob, BE, RB, SB, NH, JJ, ME, DM. 1/8, motion fails.

Mr. Bryer makes a motion, second by Mr. Jean, to recommend the library’s budget of $141,395. Donna Bunker, librarian, explains her requests which are based on a survey provided in which 75 responses were received. She also provides a comparison with the Town of Nottingham’s staff hours for their library. She adds that this position would allow for a staff member to be on each floor at all times for better security. Mr. Jacobsmeyer asks about other part time positions in the town in the last few years. Mr. Bryer states that there has been a reduction in full time employees and benefits within town hall. Norma Heroux adds that the library is having a hard time finding volunteers and substitutes at this time. Further discussion is held regarding qualifications that you receive from full time and part time staff. Department requested amount is $151,915., which is reduced based on the already purchased circulation system of $11,554. Mr. Jacobsmeyer makes a motion, second by Mr. Bailey, to amend the bottom line of the library to $151,915. VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, NH, JJ, DM. NO: RJ, SB, ME. Motion passes; 6/3.

VOTE on original motion: YES: SBob, BE, RB, NH, JJ, DM. NO: RJ, SB, ME. Motion passes; 6/3.

Page 40-41: Dept. 44411~Welfare Administration:

Scott Bryer makes a motion to recommend the selectmen’s amount of $9,413. Bob Jean seconds. With no discussion, VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, RJ, SB, NH, JJ, ME, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 9/0.

Page 41-42: Dept. 44451~Medical Payments-Welfare:

Scott Bryer makes a motion to recommend the selectmen’s amount of $650. Bob Jean seconds. With no discussion, VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, RJ, SB, NH, JJ, ME, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 9/0.

Page 42-43: Dept. 44452~Welfare Vendors Payments:

Scott Bryer makes a motion to recommend the selectmen’s amount of $10,705. Bob Jean seconds. Mr. Jacobsmeyer asks about line 44452/680. Mr. Jacobsmeyer explains that Hannaford is not paying for or donating these cards to the clients, the money is from donations given to the food pantry. Additional questions are asked about the food pantry and Ms. Smith explains that the food pantry is a private organization and does not have anything to do with the town’s budget. She adds that any further questions should be addressed directly to the food pantry. With no further discussion, VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, RJ, SB, NH, JJ, ME, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 9/0.

Page 11-13: Dept. 41504~Tax Collector:

Scott Bryer makes a motion to recommend the selectmen’s amount of $91,573. Shelley Bobowski seconds. Mr. Bryer explains that the positions of tax collector and town clerk have been combined as one position. He adds that the difference in the department’s request and the selectmen’s recommendation is due to the COLA percentages and the salary lines as follows: line 41504/130, 220, and 225. Mr. Jean feels that this position is a real working position even though it is an elected position. Mr. Bryer agrees and explains that the selectmen looked at the wage study provided by the NH Municipal Association, which is based on hours open to the public. Within Northwood’s range, this salary is the second highest in this range and also includes benefits now. Ms. Beaulieu adds that not all of the towns listed were called. She states that she is under the impression that these other positions vary hourly and the range is based on population. Mark Edwards asks if this position is an employee or an elected official. Mr. Bailey asks how many hours this position is per week. Ms. Pease replies that this position averages at least 35 hours each week. She adds that she brings work home and is always in the office before opening and after closing. She feels that the COLA is for Cost Of Living Increase, and is not based on merit. Mr. Edwards notes that the deputy position is also vacant. Mr. Bryer states that there state statute states that salaries of elected officials should be voted within the operating budget each year. Discussion ensues regarding elected officials. Selectman Witham asks how many employees are affected by the COLA; elected and not elected. Ms. Beaulieu replies that elected officials would be the road agent, town clerk/tax collector, trustees of the trust fund, moderator, treasurer, selectmen, and supervisors of the checklist. 

Ms. Smith states that information should be provided to the committee in their normal policy before the meeting. Mr. Bailey states that whether the person is an elected official or an employee the town never has a problem giving the employees raises. He states that when discussing the TX/TC position who works the same amount of hours and does the same type of work, we cannot decide whether or not to give this position a raise. Mr. Bailey motions to amend the bottom line of the town clerk/tax collector to the department’s request, $94,148. Mr. Jean seconds the amendment. Discussion ensues regarding if this position is based on just salary or on monies collected. Ms. Pease replies that this is a salary position and this was changed when Arlene Johnson retired, December 1997. Mark Edwards states that this salary is preplanned. Mr. Jean states that he feels that this is both an elected position and a regular full time position. Salaries of other towns within the population of Northwood for the town clerk/tax collector are reviewed. The next closest salary to Northwood’s $45,000. is Northfield at $42,000. VOTE: YES: RB, RJ, NH, JJ, DM. NO: SBob, BE, SB, ME. Motion prevails; 5/4. New Bottom Line: $94,148. VOTE: YES: RB, RJ, NH, JJ, DM. NO: SBob, BE, SB, ME. Motion prevails; 5/4.

Page 13-14: Dept. 41505~Treasurer:

Bob Jean motions to recommend the department’s request for $7,102. Ms. Bobowski seconds. Ms. Bobowski states that the COLA increases should be consistent. Mr. Bryer agrees that COLA increases should be consistent with all elected positions. Additional discussion is held. Mr. Bailey calls to move the question. VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, RJ, SB, NH, JJ, ME, DM. Motion passes unanimously; 9/0. VOTE: YES: RB, RJ, NH, JJ, ME, DM. NO: SBob, BE, SB. Motion prevails; 6/3.

Chairman McNally calls for a 10 minute recess.

Page 43-46: Dept. 45201~Parks & Recreation:

Mr. Bryer makes a motion to recommend $71,908. as the bottom line for Parks and Recreation. Ms. Bobowski seconds. Mr. Bryer explains that there is an expendable trust fund and last year the appropriated money in the warrant article lapsed. He states that $40,000. is being re-appropriated to be used over the course of the next few years. A discussion is held regarding part time positions. Mr. Bryer states that the selectmen are recommending the part time parks and recreation director to become a full time recreation coordinator position. He adds that there are some additional part time positions being created. Mr. Murphy, recreation director, adds that there were 7 life guards last year. Mark Edwards asks if the milfoil treatment is under this department. Mr. Bryer replies the treatment is done through the lake association. Ms. Beaulieu adds that there is a donation to the lakes association and is a very small portion for treatment. Association dues are usually used for treatment as well. Ms. Smith adds that this has not been yearly; usually every two years. Mr. Jean motions to retain the recreation director’s position as a part time position. No second. Motion does not prevail. VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, SB, NH, JJ, DM. NO: RJ, ME. Motion prevails; 7/2.

Mr. Jacobsmeyer asks about the Underwood Engineering study on roads. Mr. Bryer explains how the 5 year road study was done. Mr. Bailey adds that the budget for roads has not been increased over the past five years. Mr. Bryer explains highway block grants and federal funds. He adds that federal funds are mainly used on interstate highways. 

Page 32-34: Dept. 43111~Highway Administration:

Mr. Bailey makes a motion to increase the road agent’s salary to include the COLA increase, to become $6,246. Mr. Jean seconds. Discussion is held regarding the fact that this is an elected position and is not full time. VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, NH, JJ, ME, DM. NO: SB. Motion prevails; 8/1.

Ms. Bobowski makes a motion to increase the total bottom line for the Highway Administration to become $147,230. Bob Jean seconds. VOTE: YES: SBob, BE, RB, NH, JJ, ME, DM. NO: SB. Motion prevails; 8/1.

Mark Edwards asks about a cap for taxes for the elderly. Mr. Bryer refers to warrant article #7, which proposes to increase the elderly exemptions.

Internal Business:

Minutes:

Chairman McNally requests that all members review the minutes of April 20, 2005, for approval at the January 19 meeting.  

Resignations:

Chairman McNally reads the resignations of Tom Chase and Betsy Chadwick. Motion is made by Mr. Bailey, second by Ms. Bobowski, to accept the resignation of Tom Chase due to the fact that he is now an employee of the school. Motion passes unanimously; 9/0.

Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Mr. Bailey, to accept the resignation of Betsy Chadwick. Motion passes unanimously; 9/0.

Chairman McNally calls for a recess at 9:04 p.m. until Thursday, January 19, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver

Board Secretary

Town of Northwood

Budget Committee Minutes

1/17/06