Town of WILTON 2006 BUDGET COMMITTEE
Members Present: Chairman Cary A.
Hughes, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, David B. Tierney, Jr,
Joyce A. Fisk, Donald C. Davidson, Donna Pucciarello, Betsy Castro and
Selectmen Representative Daniel Donovan III
MEMBERS ABSENT: Daniel
Levesque Jr.
OTHERS
PRESENT: Carla
Walter, Ray Dick, Steve Elliot, Jerry Greene, Jim Tuttle, Tom Herlihy, Charles
McGettigan, Stanley Young, Carol Roberts, Bill Keefe, Jessie Salsbury and
others.
The AGENDA was amended as follows:
7:30 Betsy Castro New Member
7:35 Fire Department
7:45 Water Department
8:15 Library
8:25 Minutes of
8:30 Highway and Resurfacing Departments
8:45 Monadnock Family Services
8:50 Adjournment
Ch. Hughes called the meeting to order at
Town Moderator Bill Keefe swore in Betsy Castro as a new
member of the Budget Committee.
1.)
Fire Department
Fire Chief Ray Dick presented his request to the Committee for
an Operating Budget of $84,740, noting a decrease of 1.61% from the previous
year. Ray noted he is proposing a 5%
increase to the janitors and fire department volunteers yearly reimbursement
which covers the cleaning of the fire station, replacement of clothes soiled by
the firefighters, gas, and other miscellaneous things to help defer the costs
of the volunteers. He also explained
that Engine 1 would not require tires in 2007 as they were purchased in 2006.
Capital items for consideration include replacing the Tank
with a plastic Tank on Engine 1 and fixing the rust for $20,000; updating and
replacing some parts of the Hurst System (Jaws of Life) for $30,000; replacing
8 pagers for $3,400; and 6 sets of turnout gear for $7,200 totaling $60,600. It was discussed that all the capital funds
for the Fire Department will be spent this year on the new fire truck. There are no dollars in the capital reserves
to cover the $60,600 requested.
The Committee asked how many call outs the Department has
had this year. Ray stated there has been
164 calls. He specifically noted several
severe car accidents on Route 101 and 4 building fires.
The Committee stressed concern with the gasoline needs and
the uncertainty of the prices. There
were no further questions. Ray thanked
the Committee for their time.
2.) Water Department
Charles McGettigan, Jim Tuttle and Tom Herlihy appeared
before the Committee with their proposed budget of $286,100. They explained $30,000 of this is part of a wellhead
protection program. The Commissioners
and Planning Board are doing further testing to specifically identify the
location of the well recharge area. The
Water Department’s engineer has estimated the cost to be $45,000. The department is budgeting $30,000 and the
town is being requested to appropriate the remaining $15,000 as part of the
planning board’s budget. The Water
department has applied for a state grant for $15,000 which would cover half of
the Water Department’s $30,000.
They also noted they have created two different line items
for Pennichuck contracted services to better monitor their specific work from
other contracted services. It was
explained the Administrative Fee of $5,000 is to offer office support from the
town hall employees. The $5,000 in Overhead is used for a portion of the
insurance for the Highway Department employees to work for the Commissioners
and rental of a stall in the Highway Garage.
The proposed $15,000 request for new equipment includes adding and
repairing equipment in the pumps and supplies to install a new trailer.
The Committee asked if rates would be going up now that the
town has a contract with Pennichuck. The
Commissioners noted that if there were an increase, it would be the gallon
usage that would be adjusted and not the $70 yearly unit fee.
There was no further discussion on the matter. The Commissioner’s thanked the Committee for
their time.
3.) Wilton Public and Gregg Free Library
Stanley Young appeared before the Committee requesting $187,125
for the Library’s operating budget. He
noted this is a 5.8% increase from 2006.
The majority of this request comes from salaries and benefits to the
Library employees. He specifically noted
the bookkeeping hours were projected and they now have a more accurate figure
of how many hours will be needed and that medical benefits have increased by
16%. He also stated there were some pest
problems and lightning had hit the library, which incurred unexpected costs.
There was no further discussion on the budget. Stanley thanked the Committee for their time.
4.) Minutes of
A MOTION was made
and SECONDED to amend the minutes with the following:
Replace the
following sentence Under Line Item 1 – Conservation Commission “Dan Donovan stated
due to the fact the Commission….” With “Dan Donovan stated the $10,000 is
encumbered and therefore, it comes out of the 2006 budget.”
Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.
A MOTION was made
and SECONDED to approve the minutes of November 28, 2006 as amended.
Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.
There was no further discussion on the minutes.
5.)
Highway and Resurfacing Departments
Steve Elliot appeared before the Committee again to discuss
his operating budgets for the above noted departments. The Committee asked if there were enough
funds for Electricity. Steve explained
there was one month the Highway Barn needed an adjustment, which will not be
required in 2007, and he was confident of his request for $1,500.
Steve stated asphalt prices have increased 26.19%. The following road improvements are scheduled
for 2007: Main Street repairing,
reclaiming and 2” overlay, Badger Farm Road 2” overlay, Stephens Road 2”
overlay, Isaac Frye 2” overlay, Curtis Farm 2” overlay, and Wilson Road
chipseal.
The Committee inquired what new equipment would be needed in
2007. Steve explained that he allocated
the same as the previous year, $3,000 and that he cannot predict what would
break. The $5,000 for repairs to the
building is to replace the wood stove in the barn. He further noted it is difficult to project
what will be needed for repairs to equipment.
Lastly, he concluded the $1,200 is for stop signs and other signs the
Police and Board of Selectmen had agreed upon in 2006.
A MOTION was made to
approve the Highway Budget. It was not seconded.
Steve asked the Committee inform him when they would be
voting on his budgets. There was no further discussion on the matter. Steve thanked the Committee for their time.
6.) Monadnock Family Services
A MOTION was made
and SECONDED to allocate $4,845.00 to Monadnock Family Services.
Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.
The Committee discussed getting more information on the
Health Organizations for the 2008 budget.
It was agreed they need to do some research on the various organizations
requesting funding from the Town.
There was no further discussion on the matter.
7.) Adjournment
A MOTION was made
and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.
Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at
Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter
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