Wilton Town Hall Courtroom
January 17, 2006
 
 
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, William J. Keefe, Mark H. Whitehill, Joyce A. Fisk, Donna Pucciarello, Donald C. Davidson, Jr., and Jerry Greene, Selectmen Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT:  Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Daniel Levesque and David B. Tierney, Jr.
OTHERS PRESENT:  Carla Walter, Steve Elliot, Brent Hautanen, Spencer Brooks, Lynne Draper, Bill Condra, Brian Sullivan and others as noted on the attendance sheet.
 

The AGENDA was amended as follows:
 
1.) Highway and Resurfacing Departments
2.) Building Inspection
3.) Conservation Commission
4.) Town Hall Operating and Town Hall Building
5.) Employee Benefits and Workman’s Compensation
6.) Goss Park
7.) Host Homes
8.) Minutes
9.) Other Business
10.) Adjournment

 
Chairman Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

1.) Highway and Resurfacing Budgets

Steve Elliot appeared before the Committee to distribute an overview of the RSMS report. The Committee discussed the benefits of having an 18-year plan versus a 10-year plan for the roads in Wilton.

Steve reminded the Committee the Resurfacing budget cannot be finalized until the Main Street Association finalizes the plans for the paving of Main Street. The Committee asked for the final budget figures by January 31, 2006.

There was no further discussion on the matters.
 
 

2.) Building Inspection

Bill Condra presented the budget for the Building Inspection Department. Bill explained that his figures for labor is increased by 6% to include a proposal of adding 5 hours weekly to his 20 hour a week schedule. He noted developers and homeowners find the current schedule difficult to manage. Bill concluded that in 2004 the Department took in $17,774.00 in income, with a budget of $18,895.00. The Committee inquired if it was possible to obtain income for 2005. Ms. Walter agreed to provide at the January 24, 2006 meeting.

The Committee inquired on the following increases
 

Travel:     Town has not increased their travel which the State of NH has at .41 cents a mile while the town is .35 cents a mile. He anticipates travel at 1,200 miles for 2006.

Contracted Services:     Bill has kept this line item the same for the last three years. Although no expenses have been incurred, it is difficult to forecast if it will be needed. The Committee noted that the substitute Building Inspectors labor should be coming out of Contracted Services and not labor.

Dues/Subscriptions:     Bill explained that there are updates to codes currently awaiting approval through the State of NH. If these new codes were adopted, he would require literature to learn the new codes. The total cost of the manuals would be approximately $500.00.

The Committee tabled this discussion and re-opened for discussion at 8:30 p.m.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an operating budget of $24,200, noting revisions to travel in the amount of $1400.00, Labor $19,000 and Dues/Subscriptions $600.00.

Discussion took place regarding the goals of the Budget Committee to closely monitor increasing personnel of the town, and a maximum of 3% for labor increases.

Voting:  5 ayes; 2 nayes; motion carried.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

3.) Conservation Commission

Spencer Brookes appeared before the Committee to discuss changes to their original budget request. While the operating budget remains at $14,335, the Warrant Article for the Lot Line Adjustment has been eliminated.

The Committee noted the Land Acquisition is a carryover and not a Capital Reserve Fund. Spencer agreed.

The Committee asked for an explanation of why the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission are requesting funds for Contracted Services. Spencer explained the $10,000 of contracted services for this department only covers Conservation. However, at times, during this type of process, the Planning Board might ask for helpful information not originally on the scope of work. Therefore, they would require additional funds for Planning Board issues. Members of the Planning Board and the Heritage Committee spoke in support of the request.

The Committee tabled this discussion and re-opened for discussion at 8:50 p.m.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an operating budget of $14,335.00.

Voting:  6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

4.) Town Hall and Town Building Budgets

Selectmen Representative Jerry Greene asked the Committee to consider the Town Hall Operating and Town Building Budgets. He explained that while the Town Building Budget was approved at the December 6, 2005 meeting, he was able to decrease the budget further by arranging a payment schedule for the roof repairs. Therefore, he is requesting an amendment to the MOTION.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to amend the Town Building Budget to $49,250.00
Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

Jerry distributed final packages for the Town Operating budget.  He explained the increases in Labor and Conventions.

Discussion took place regarding keeping the goal of 3% for salary increases.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the Town Hall Operating Budget of $245,100.
Voting:  6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

5.) Employee Benefits and Workman’s Compensation

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the Benefits Package for $164,418
Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the Workman’s Compensation Package for $42,398.
Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

6.) Goss Park

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an operating budget of $12,427.00 for Goss Park.
Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

7.) Host Homes

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $2,500 for Host Homes.
Voting:   4 ayes;  3 nayes; motion carried.

8.) Minutes

Changes are as follows:

- Recycling Center: Paragraph 1, Page 2: Maurice further explained… strike Center replace with Incinerator should be.
- Ambulance:  Paragraph 2, Page 2: Strike last sentence “Computer provides roughly 7% of the other contracted services for the Association.”

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the minutes of January 3, 2006 as amended:
Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

9.)      Other Business

The Committee approved Jerry Greene distributing the Recycling Center’s final budget to Temple and Lyndeborough, noting the increase of  $2,500 to Heating Fuel.

10.) Adjournment
 
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.
Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.
 
The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.
________________________________________
Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter