TOWN OF WILTON 2006-2007 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

December 12, 2006

 

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

MEMBERS ABSENT:  David Tierney, Jr., and Daniel Levesque Jr.

OTHERS PRESENT:  Carla Walter, Stanley Young, Carol Roberts, Joanna Eckstrom, Brent Hautanen, Spencer Brookes and Lynne Draper

 

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

1.)            Conservation Commission

2.)            Police Operating and Building Budgets

3.)            Wilton Greg Free Library

4.)            Fire Department

5.)            Town Hall Operating and Building Budgets

6.)            Town Officers Salaries

7.)            Legal Expenses

8.)            Insurances

9.)            Minutes of December 5, 2006

10.)      Adjournment

 

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

 

1.)                Conservation Commission

 

Spencer Brookes and Lynne Draper appeared before the Committee to discuss their budget proposal again.  As stated in the November 28th, 2006 minutes the $10,000 allocated for the NRI in Contracted Services is unclear.  Chairman Hughes offered to contact the auditor or accountant to ensure the funds are encumbered therefore, they will not be re-appropriated for 2007. 

 

The Committee tabled further discussion. 

 

2.)                Police Department

 

Chief Brent Hautanen appeared before the Committee to discuss his operating and building budget proposals.  Chairman Hughes reminded the Committee the portion of pay scales for the Police Officers would take place at the December 19, 2006 meeting with Maureen Donovan serving as a consultant.

 

Brent explained the account activities that will be rising such as court appearances, gas, tires and holiday pay cannot be controlled.  He also noted a $1,000 addition to the DARE program.  This is due to the fact that a certified Wilton Officer and not a State Police Officer is now teaching the program.

 

The Committee requested $15,000 for private detail to be included in the operating budget, even though this is an in/out account.  Currently there is $5,000. 


He concluded that his Building Budget is $1,000 less this year.  He will be requiring new shelves and noted a lightning hit and other accidental incidents he hoped would not be re-occurring next year.

 

The Committee inquired about Capital Items.  Brent stated he would be following the cruiser rotation.  The new rotation is to buy one cruiser per year for two years; skip a year, and then one cruiser per two years, etc. 

 

The Committee briefly discussed a pay scale study Brent distributed.  (A copy is available in the Town Office.)  He noted Antrim although listed uses a State Police Pay Scale, which is available, but not included in his study at this time.  The Committee asked if Nashua and Manchester were considered. Brent explained the City's are much larger therefore, he stayed with the populations close to Wilton.   Manchester and Portsmouth have been advertising for Officers starting at $39,500-39,900.  Wilton has been losing their officers to Peterborough, Milford and Hollis.  The Committee asked how the Academy is paid for.  Brent explained the Town pays officers enlisted in the Academy for their time in the Academy but the State pays for the Academy expenses.  The officers are also required to sign a 3-year contract, which is subject to restitution, if the officer fails to comply with the contract.  He also noted that his turnover time for an officer in Wilton is one (1) year.  The Committee discussed the different levels of Labor in the Operating budget.  They also discussed holiday pay and Overtime Laws for towns with more than 5 police officers.

 

The Committee requested copies of the Child Advocacy Budget and State Police Handout.  There was no further discussion on the matters.  Chief Hautanen thanked the Committee for their time.

 

3.)                Library

 

Stanley Young, Carol Roberts and Joanna Eckstrom appeared before the Committee to discuss their 2007 request for $187,125.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $187,125 to the Library Budget.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

Carol reminded the Committee that even though $300,000 was appropriated from the Capital Reserve in 2005, the interest was not on the warrant.  Therefore, the Selectmen will be drafting a Warrant Article for the remaining interest.

 

The Committee thanked Stanley, Carol and Joanna for appearing before the Committee.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

4.)        Fire Department

 

Chairman Hughes reminded the Committee the Fire Departments proposal is $1,385 less this year.

 

 

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $84,740 to the Fire Department Operating Budget.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $60,600 for new Capital Equipment.

Discussion took place regarding the actual cost of the Hurst equipment. At this time, the Committee withdrew their MOTION.

 

The Committee discussed waiting for approval of Capital Outlay and Reserves until other requests come forward.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

5.)                Town Hall Operating and Building Budgets

 

Selectmen Representative Jerry Greene appeared before the Committee for the remainder of the meeting with various departmental budgets.

 

He noted the Town Hall Building Budget had an expenditure of $1,095 for new equipment he would like to keep allocated for 2007. This was used for upgrades to the fire extinguishers, repairs to the furnace and an A/C for the old Police Station, which is now being used for Building Inspection, Planning, Welfare, Health and Water Departments.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to allocate $48,590 to the Town Hall Building Budget.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

The Committee inquired about the increase in part time labor for the Operating Budget.  Jerry explained that the State registration portion of registering vehicles could now be done for a $2.50 fee at the Town Hall Clerk's office.  Therefore, additional hours will be needed for the part-time employees with the extra work this entails.  He further noted a telephone system would be needed as the current system is over a decade old and parts cannot be obtained.  He concluded one new computer and a new copier are also needed in the Town Hall.

 

The Committee asked how many employees are in the Town Hall.  Jerry stated there are 5 employees; 3 full time and 2 part time.   He further noted that $1,000 out of the Town Officers Salaries has been allocated to part-time help in the town hall as this work is now being done by a paid employee on an hourly basis. 

 

A MOTION was made and SECONED to appropriate $270,150 to the Town Hall Operating Budget. 

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.       

 

There was no further discussion on the matters.

 

 

6.)                Town Officers Salaries

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $7,100 to the Town Officers Salaries.

Voting: 6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

7.)                Legal Expenses

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $30,000 to the Town's Legal Expenses.

Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

8.)        Insurances

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $174,630 to the Health Insurance, short-term Disability, long-term Disabilities and Life Insurance expenses.

Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

9.)                Minutes of December 5, 2006

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to the December 5, 2006 as written.

Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

10.)            Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

 

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