TOWN OF
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Cary A.
Hughes, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr.,
MEMBERS ABSENT: David Tierney, Jr.
OTHERS PRESENT:
The AGENDA was amended as follows:
1.)
Employee
Pay Scale System
2.)
Police
Department Operating and Building Budgets
3.)
Highway
Department
4.)
Resurfacing
Department and
5.)
Sewer
Department
6.)
Water
Department
7.)
Adjournment
Chairman Hughes called the meeting
to order at
1.)
Town Wide Employee Pay Scale System
The
Committee stated in order for a town wide employee pay scale system to be
effective, job descriptions must be detailed and thorough. Burton Reynolds, town of
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
2.)
Police Department Operating Budget
Chief
Brent Hautanen presented his proposed budget for $446,506. He explained that Line Item 670 – Telephones
has increased by $1,800 due to the face that the charge for the police mobile’s
was under the warrant article for the Cruiser Software in 2006 and now needs to
be incorporated into his operating budget.
He also reminded the Committee members the $15,000 for private detail
included in the operating budget, even though this is an in/out account. Previously, there was $5,000. Thus, his proposed budget is now $458,356.
The
Committee asked why the large increase to the salaries for the officers and
sergeants. Chief Hautanen explained
other towns are actively recruiting officers and offering better salaries. The Committee asked if both the Sergeants are
leaving and the Officers. Chief Hautanen
stated his officers were leaving, but he was skeptical that unless large
increases for the Sergeants are approved, they would seek employment with a
larger town or city that offers a better salary. He further explained that the cost to the
town to train an officer is $20,000.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate
$458,356 to the Police Operating Budget.
This MOTION was AMENDED and
SECONDED to appropriate $450,000 to the Police Operating Budget.
Discussion took place regarding
whether the Committee had enough information to vote on the proposed
budget. It was noted the Selectmen
support the increase to the salaries of the officers and sergeants.
Voting:
2 ayes; 5 nayes; MOTION DENIED.
The
Committee asked if the Selectmen know what the percentage of the raises are
actually given to the employees. Chief
Hautanen explained he does yearly review of his entire department which the
Selectmen review to offer their comments.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate
$458,356 to the Police Operating Budget.
Voting:
5 ayes; 2 nayes; MOTION CARRIED.
There
was no further discussion the matter.
3.)
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $19,195 to the
Voting: 7 ayes;
motion carried.
There
was no further discussion on the matter.
Chief
Hautanen noted the Town would be acquiring a new cruiser in 2007 to replace the
2003 cruiser. He further explained that
most of the equipment in the 2003 cruiser would be transferred and only a cage
and flashlights should be needed.
Therefore, he is requesting $25,000 for the new cruiser.
The
Committee noted that $25,000 should be appropriated to the Police Capital
Reserve Account in 2008, as the town will not be purchasing a cruiser that
year.
There
was no further discussion on the matter.
4.)
Highway Department Operating Budget
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $402,770 to
the Highway Operating Budget.
Discussion took place regarding small lines items.
THE MOTION was
AMENDED and SECONDED to appropriate $399,499 for the Highway Operating Budget
Voting: 4 ayes; 3 nayes; MOTION CARRIED.
There was no further discussion
on the matter.
5.)
Resurfacing Budget and
THE MOTION was
AMENDED and SECONDED to appropriate $294,850 for the Resurfacing Budget
Voting:
7ayes; MOTION CARRIED.
THE MOTION was
AMENDED and SECONDED to appropriate $39,500 for material removal and
replacement of a section of
Voting:
7ayes; MOTION CARRIED.
There
was no further discussion on the matters.
6.)
Water Department
Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.
There
was no further discussion on the matter.
7.)
Sewer Department
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate
$205,239 to the Sewer Department.
Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.
There
was no further discussion on the matter.
8.)
Adjournment
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the
meeting.
Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.
The
meeting was adjourned at
Minutes
respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter