Wilton 2006 Budget Committee

 

Wilton Town Hall Courtroom

January 31, 2006

 

 

Members Present: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Mark H. Whitehill, Joyce A. Fisk, Donna Pucciarello, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Donald C. Davidson, Jr., Daniel Levesque (7:40 p.m.), David B. Tierney, Jr. and Daniel Donovan III Selectmen Representative

MEMBERS ABSENT:     William J. Keefe

OTHERS PRESENT:       Brent Hautanen, Carla Walter, Hal Levine, Stanley Young, Joanna Eckstrom, Neil Faiman, Raymond Dick, Matt Fish, and others as noted on the attendance sheet. (NOTE:  Not all audience members signed the attendance sheet.)

 

The agenda was amended as follows:

 

1.)      Planning Board

2.)      Zoning Board of Adjustment

3.)      Library

4.)      Wilton Main Street Association

5.)      Recycling  Center Capital

6.)      Emergency Management

7.)      Board of Health

8.)      Landfill Closure

9.)      Animal Control

10.)  Water Department

11.)  Operating Budget

12.)  Fire Department Capital

13.)  Police Department Capital and Warrant Articles

14.)  Final Work Session Schedule

15.)  Adjournment

 

Chairman Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.

 

1.)                Planning Board

 

Chairperson of the Planning Board Matt Fish appeared before the Committee to discuss the Planning Board’s operating budget. He explained that the  $5,000 for Contracted Services would be expended through updated the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and the Natural Resource Inventory (NRI). He further noted that the CIP needed to be updated and accurate in order to set impact fees, which currently is being set by the roads in which developers will be impacting upon building housing lots in town. This formula currently does not include the impact of schools, police and equipment, etc. which would be attributed to the Municipal and School portion which are currently uncollected. He concluded that if the NRI does not require funding through the Planning Board, the funds could be used to start updating the Master Plan, which he also feels needs to be updated. The Committee asked for an estimate on the cost of updating the Master Plan. Matt explained that he is in the process of receiving an estimate from the Nashua Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) and initial thoughts ranged in the $70,000 area. Therefore, the Planning Board could be requesting $35,000 for the next two years. Chairman Hughes asked if the Board would be adding this amount to their budget on the floor at the Town Meeting. Matt explained that he preferred not to amend a warrant article at Town Meeting and would prefer dealing with the issues through the proper budgetary channels. He hoped to acquire the information to have available for the February 7, 2006 Budget Committee Public Hearing. 

 

The discussion was tabled until 8:50 p.m.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an operating budget of $39,050.00.

Voting:  7 ayes; 1 naye; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

2.)                Zoning Board of Adjustment

 

Chairman Neil Faiman and Vice-Chairman Joanna Eckstrom appeared before the Committee to discuss their proposed budget. Neil explained that while the Committee voted a $3,000 budget at the January 26, 2006 work session, the Board was requesting an additional $900.00 for labor and training. He further noted the secretary has been asked for more detailed minutes and needed a 3.5% salary increase, and the Board members required training. He concluded the Board has not increased their budget in over four years.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to AMEND the operating budget for the Zoning Board to $3,850.00

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

3.)                Library

 

Stanley Young and Joanna Eckstrom appeared before the Committee to discuss the warrant article for $60,000 to fix the drainage problems at the Wilton Public Library. Mr. Young reminded the Committee there was ledge, which made it difficult to project exactly how much the project will actually cost. The Committee thanked Stan and Joanna for their input. He concluded that he felt the project would alleviate the drainage issues and thanked the Committee for their time.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.


 

4.)                Wilton Main Street Association

 

The Committee reviewed the proposed expenses and income for 2006.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to allocate $10,000 for the Wilton Main Street Association.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

5.)        Recycling Center Capital

 

Maurice Guay appeared before the Committee and explained his request for $50,000 in Capital Outlay for a new roof and new decking for the Recycling Center. 

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $25,000.00 for a new roof for the Recycling Center and $25,000 for new decking.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

7.)        Emergency Management

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $350.00 for Emergency Management.

Voting:   8 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

8.)                Board of Health

 

Chairman Hughes explained to the Committee that the Health Officer has yet to bring in reimbursements for 2005. Therefore, he is requesting an additional $1,000 to the 2006 budget for a total of $2,000.00

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve  $2,000 for the Board of Health operating budget.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.


 

9.)        Landfill Closure

 

Selectmen Representative Daniel Donovan explained to the Committee the need to start engineering procedures for closing a landfill on the eastern end of town. He anticipates this cost, per an estimate received in December 2004 at approximately $50,000. Therefore, he is requesting $25,000 for the next two years. He concluded the $2,500 in 2005 for landfill closure is for testing and should remain in the operating budget for landfill closure but the $25,000 is in Capital Outlay.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $2,500 for the Landfill Closure Operating Budget.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to allocate $25,000 for engineering services on the Landfill Closure.

Voting:  9 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matters.

 

10.)      Animal Control

 

Carla Walter explained to the Committee the Department of Agriculture required Program Fees and Dog License fees for $1,760 in 2005. The Committee noted expenditures for 2004 were $2,401. Carla noted Animal Control could have used the Humane Society, resulting in the increase in the actual expenses for 2004 and 2005. 

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to AMEND the $1.00 appropriated for the Animal Control Budget on January 26, 2005 and approve $2,500.

Voting:  9 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

11.)Water Department

 

Jim Tuttle and Tom Herlihy appeared before the Committee and explained RSA 38:29 Water Funds.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $233,100 to the Water Department’s Operating Budget.

Voting:  9 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.


 

12.)Town Operating Budget

 

A MOTION was made to approve $3,176,447 for the Operating Budget of the Town.

Voting:  9 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

13.)Fire Department Capital

 

Fire Chief Ray Dick and Deputy Fire Chief Dave Boissonnault appeared before the Commission to explain their Capital Request as follows:

 

Replacement of Engine 2:

Chassis                                                 $  98,052.00

Body                                                    $185,500.00

Electrical Valves (3)                              $    7,343.00

Federal Q Siren                                    $    2,800.00

Transfer Radio and Control Heads        $    6,000.00

Knox Box Key Security System            $    1,200.00

Total for Engine 2:                             $129,151.00 (currently $176,335.00 in Reserves)

Other Capital Requests:

Fire Pagers – 8                                   $    3,600.00

Turn-Out Gear – 6 sets                     $    6,600.00

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to allocate $10,200 for Fire Department Capital Equipment.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to allocate $305,486.00 for a new fire truck.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

14.)Police Department Capital and Warrant Articles

 

Police Chief Brent Hautanen appeared before the Committee with the following warrant article:

 

“$11,000 for the purchase of equipment and software to upgrade the Department’s three cruisers and serve for mobile data communications”.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED supporting the $11,000 warrant article.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.


 

Discussion took place regarding leasing vs. purchasing a new cruiser and if an SUV was needed for the Department. The Committee did not agree that an SUV was warranted at this time.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to allocate $25,000 for the purchase of a new-outfitted Crown Victoria Police Car.

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

 

15.)Schedule Update

 

The Committee will be meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2006 from 7:30 – 8:30 to finalize Capital Outlay. The final public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 7:30 in the Wilton Courtroom at the Town Hall. 

 

16.)Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.

 

________________________________________                                                                        

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

 

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