TOWN OF WILTON 2006-2007 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

December 19, 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., Daniel Donovan and Daniel Levesque Jr.

OTHERS PRESENT: Carla Walter, Brent Hautanen, Charles McGettigan, Stanley Schultz, Tom Herlihy, Maureen Donovan, Paul Buffum, Richard Rockwood and others.

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

1.) Employee Pay Scale System

2.) Child Advocacy Center

3.) Minutes of December 12, 2006

4.) Wilton/Lyndeborough/Temple Ambulance Service

5.) Sewer Department

6.) Cemetery Budget

7.) Adjournment

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

1.) Town Wide Employee Pay Scale System

The Committee and Maureen Donovan discussed doing research into a pay scale system for the town employees. Both agreed that the system must be performance based. To start, the Committee will be asking department heads for job descriptions of their employees. This is to include the responsibilities of the employee; the risk to the employee and town based on what they are required to do, their general duties, physical attributions and education. Antrim, Peterborough and Manchester are possible sources of information.

The Committee asked Carla Walter to copy packages made available by Chief Hautenan and mail for the Committee to go over before the next meeting scheduled for January 2, 2007.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

Selectmen Representative Jerry Greene entered the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

2.) Child Advocacy Center

Chief Brent Hautanen explained the background on the expenses of the Child Advocacy Center are attached to their packages.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $1,000 to the Child Advocacy Center.

Voting: 6 ayes; motion carried.

There was no further discussion the matter.

3.) Minutes of December 12, 2006

The Committee noted a typographical error on Page 3, Item No. 5. SECONDED to replace SECONED

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the minutes of December 12, 2006 as amended.

Voting: 6 ayes; motion carried.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

4.) Ambulance

Richard Rockwood appeared before the Committee to explain why the Ambulance needs to become a town entity. He explained the three town’s Board of Selectmen has entered into an agreement in principle to transfer operational responsibility for ambulance service on a one-year trial basis to the Town of Wilton (similar to the Landfill agreement). He noted administrative issues but more importantly the town’s insurance carrier required the ambulance be part of the town if they are to continue to support their Workman’s Compensation.

Donna Puccarielli joined the Committee at 7:55 p.m.

The Committee stated their concern with $20,000 that needs to be allocated to the 2008 budget to keep the operations running until the March Town Meeting, even if revenues are coming in through the Town. They also asked how much outstanding receivables there are. Bill Cardiff stated approximately $65,000; $31,000 of which will probably be uncollectable. He also noted he would try and get a balance sheet to the Committee for their review.

The Committee reviewed expenses and revenues. It was determined even though Temple and Lyndeborough have allocations of the $243,395; the Town of Wilton must appropriate the entire amount and not just their share of the entire budget ($76,715).

Bill concluded that the ambulance operations were down 14% this year, making a deficit of $31,507.

Richard and Bill thanked the Committee for their time. There was no further discussion on the matter.

5.) Sewer Department

Stanley Schultz appeared before the Committee to discuss his budget proposal for the sewer department for $205,239. He noted this is a 2.5% increase. He explained the town has been in an agreement with Milford for 25 years and even though the contract is for 30 years, it will most likely be continued as the agreement states it can be. He stressed the age of the Center, and how there is a new roof and work has been done on the sludge pit. He explained more expenses would be coming. He concluded they would be raising rates this year.

Stanley thanked the Committee for their time. There was no further discussion on the matters.

6.) Cemeteries

Jim Nelson appeared before the Committee to ask for budget approval for the cemeteries in the amount of $38,100. He distributed a copy of the report that was done on the condition of the soils, and explained the need for lime.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $38,100 to the Cemetery Budget.

Voting: 6 ayes; 1 nay motion carried.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

7.) 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