The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Budget Committee Minutes 02/3/07

PRESENT: Chairman Daniel McNally, Vice-Chairman Shelley Bobowski, Selectmen Representative Scott Bryer, Colleen Pingree, Kate McNally, Nona Holmes, Herb Johnson, Ben Edwards, Board Administrator Linda Smith, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver. Water District Representative John Jacobsmeyer arrives at 9:36.

ABSENT: Robert Bailey, Cindy Jones Bryer, Mark Edwards, School Board Representative Bill Tappan, and Douglas Briggs.

Mr. McNally states that this is a continuation of the work session.

A summary sheet is provided delineating the final figures of the budget committee and the selectmen.

Mr. Johnson makes a motion, second by Ms. Bobowski, to recommend $2,943,854.70 as the budget committee’s final recommended amount for the 2007 town budget. VOTE: YES: Ms. Bobowski, Ms. Pingree, Ms. McNally, Ms. Holmes, Mr. Johnson, Mr., Edwards, Mr. McNally. Scott Bryer opposed. VOTE: 7/1.

With no further discussion, the work session is closed at 9:22 a.m.

Chairman Daniel McNally calls the public hearing to order at 9:23 a.m.

School ~ Operating Budget:
Mr. McNally provides a recap of the school’s budget. He states that numerically the figures are the same except there was a reduction in the Coe Brown tuition line. CBNA had planned for a 5% increase and it was actually a 4.5% increase. Mr. McNally states that there was an error in the figure for health services. The amount should be $74,127.28.

Mr. McNally states that the biggest concerns throughout the budget process were the recommendations of the new positions. After discussions, the budget committee did agree to recommend all proposed positions.

In addition, he explains that the transportation line was another area of concern. He states that the number from last year was the end of a 5 year contract. There had been no changes to that contract during that 5 year period. There was a change proposed in the way the school transported students; all at once instead of two bus runs. Mr. McNally states that the budget committee asked the school to calculate the same two bus runs as opposed to the new single system for the elementary. This was completed and he notes that there is also a third bus route for CBNA added. The difference was $32,000.
Mr. McNally also explains that with the new bus route system, there will be less of a need for supervision for early morning and after school; the time during the two bus routes. This will reduce the costs $14,000. so the increase is approximately $15,000. There will be more class instruction time as well.

Ms. Dole asks if the new proposed positions for the school are remaining in the budget and if they can be further addressed at school district meeting. Mr. McNally replies yes. She asks what the final figure is for the school. Mr. McNally states that it is $10,702,187.72. This is an increase of $666,901.06 or
6.65%.

Ms. Dole expresses concern regarding the transportation. She states that with the proposed new bus routes and the staggered staff paraprofessionals; it appears that some staff may be losing pay if they are not required to be there at the beginning or end of the day. She adds that many of these staff are Northwood citizens. Their salaries may then be decreased and it appears that there is a tax increase. She notes that this is something to consider now through school district meeting.

Mr. Jandebeur asks if the difference of the figures provided for the two years are from last years adopted to this years proposed or last years actual to this years proposed. Mr. McNally replies that he believes the difference is from proposed to proposed.

Ms. Dole asks if the committee is aware if the school will be anticipating any surplus. Mr. McNally replies that they are not and are trying to keep a better track on the system. He explains that the $10,000 at the end of last year was out of the reserve.

Mr. Jacobsmeyer arrives.

School ~ Warrant Articles:
1. Teacher’s Contracts: Mr. McNally states that this is for a 3 year contract. Ms. Dole asks why there is such a difference between 07-08 and 09-10. Ms. Pingree notes that it is a partial year and a member of the public notes that this runs for the school year, not calendar year, so the contract would not begin until August.

2. Special Meeting Authorization: Necessary should Article 1 fail.

3. School Operating Budget: Mr. McNally states that the budget committee’s recommendation is the same as the school board’s; $10,702,187.72.

4. $25,000. Capital Reserve Fund– RSA Ch. 35: Recommended by the school board and budget committee.
5. $25,000. Capital Reserve for Capital Improvements: Funded out of surplus. Recommended by the school board and budget committee.

6. $12,000. Projection Enrollment Assessment Study: Recommended by the school board and budget committee.

7. Repairing Blocks to the 1988 Wing: Recommended by the school board and budget committee. Ms. Dole asks is this is all from the reserve fund or if all of the money is to be raised by taxes. Mr. McNally replies that there was no mention for the money to come from reserves.

With no further comments, Mr. McNally closes the public hearing for the school.

Town ~ Operating Budget:
Chairman Daniel McNally calls the town public hearing to order.
Mr. McNally provides a recap of the town’s budget. He states that the committee has a revised figure to recommend. The selectmen’s bottom line recommended figure is $2,898,685.80. The budget committee’s recommended amount is $2,943,854.70.

Mr. McNally refers to a department spreadsheet noting the changes in the following departments:
• Moderator
• Finance Administration
• Town Clerk/Tax Collector (TX/TC)
• Treasurer
• Planning
• Zoning Board of Adjustment
• Emergency Management
• Highway Paving
• Street Lighting
• Sanitation Administration
• Health
• Welfare Administration
• Parks and Recreation
• Grant Programs

Ms. Dole asks about the reduction for the TX/TC. Mr. McNally replies that the salary and wage study that was presented to the committee shows that the current employee is at the high end of the pay scale. The committee felt that it was prudent to stay with last year’s number. He notes that any changes can be done at town meeting, which has been done in years past.

Further discussion is held regarding why the budget is in the manner in which it is created. Mr. McNally explains that the budget is created by planning; planning for the worst case scenarios; however, there are contingency and emergency funds. Mr. Bryer explains that any money that is left over in the general fund lapses back to the general fund and is used to buy down the taxes.

Town ~ Warrant Articles:
1. $60,000. Fire/Rescue Capital Reserve Fund: Mr. McNally states that this is recommended by the budget committee.

2. $165,000. New Ambulance: Mr. McNally states that the budget committee has not voted on this article due to fund totals.

3. $30,000. Facility Committee Expendable Trust Fund: Mr. McNally states that this is recommended by the budget committee.

4. $10,000. Town Hall Improvement Capital Reserve: This is recommended by the budget committee.

5. $39,500. Highway Department Vehicle Purchase: The budget committee had requested additional information regarding the trade in value. Mr. Bryer notes that this was recommended by the selectmen and the highway advisory committee.

6. $28,914. Police Department Vehicle Purchase: This is recommended by the budget committee.

7. $32,487.49. Full Time Recreation Director: Mr. McNally states that the budget committee has not voted on this article due to the fact that figures were not provided.

8. $26,000. Highway Laborer: Mr. McNally states that the budget committee has not voted on this article due to the fact that there were no figures provided.

9. Operating Budget: $2,943,854.70 is recommended by the budget committee.

10. $23,250. Full Time Finance Technician: Mr. McNally states that the budget committee has not voted on this article. Mr. Bryer notes that this is a petition article and will be discussed February 10, 2007.

11. $25,000. Full Time Transfer Station Foreman: Mr. McNally states that the budget committee has not voted on this article. Mr. Bryer notes that it is a petition article and will be discussed February 10, 2007.

12. $9,000. Community Newsletter: Mr. Bryer states that this is a petition article.

13. $5,094.45. Transfer Station Expendable Trust Fund: This is recommended by the budget committee.

14. $30,000. Transfer Station Compactor: This is recommended by the budget committee.

15. $15,000. Benefit Pay Vested Time Expendable Trust Fund. This is recommended by the budget committee.

16. $20,000. Cable Expendable Trust Fund. This is recommended by the budget committee.

17. $10,500. Lagoon Maintenance and Repair Expendable Trust Fund. This is recommended by the budget committee.

18. $1,800. Cemetery Improvement Expendable Trust Fund. This is recommended by the budget committee.

19. $50,000. Special Duty Coverage. This is recommended by the budget committee.

22. $10,000. Teen Center Demolition. This is recommended by the budget committee.

23. $40,000. Teen Center Repairs. This is recommended by the budget committee.

24. $3,000. Milfoil Treatment Expendable Trust. This is recommended by the budget committee.

Ms. Dole asks for more information regarding the purchase of a new ambulance with only 78,000 miles on it. Mr. Bryer states that the fire chief met with the budget committee and explained that some towns have two ambulances and rotate an ambulance every 5 years. Other towns purchase one ambulance every 5 years. Ms. Pingree notes that there is idle time on the engine. The chief noted that he does not want to have something that may not run and needs the ambulance to be in good working order. Mr. Johnson states that with the one ambulance, repairs get more costly to do and the new one may take 9 – 12 months to receive. Ms. Dole comments that today, engines are built to idle and mileage is higher on commercial vehicles. She asks if a mechanic has provided an overview of the vehicle. She asks if this could not wait a few more years. Ms. Edwards comments that she followed the ambulance being towed to a garage and is not sure as to why. She notes that there are other parts other than the engine and hopes there is an assessment for these other parts and the overall condition. She states that these other parts can be expensive and lengthy to repair.

Mr. Bryer states that it is his understanding that the ambulance is in good working order. He states that the ambulance would be sold; not at an auction but by a more aggressive approach to get the highest value.

Further discussion is held regarding the revenue. Mr. Bryer states that the money would go back to into the ambulance fund. Ms. Dole states that she believes it would go to the general fund. Mr. Bryer replies that he will check into this. He believes that the fire department’s intention is to have the money go back into the fire apparatus and ambulance funds.

With no more comments, Mr. McNally closes the public hearing.

Ms. Bobowski makes a motion, second by Ms. Pingree, to recess the meeting until Saturday, February 10, 2007, at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa J. Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary

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