November 1, 2005

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, William J. Keefe, Donald C. Davidson, Jr., Daniel Levesque, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, Joyce A. Fisk, Daniel Donovan III and Donna Pucciarello
MEMBERS ABSENT: David B. Tierney, Jr.
OTHERS PRESENT: Carla Walter

The AGENDA read as follows:

1.) Review agenda and membership
2.) Review and discuss current expense budget reports
3.) Set guideline for annual salary budget increase
4.) Review, discuss and adopt meeting schedule for the committee through February 2006
5.) Adjourn

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

1.) Review agenda and membership

Chairman Hughes opened the meeting by welcoming Donna Pucciarello as a new member of the Committee.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to continue Cary A. Hughes as chairmen of the 2006 Budget Committee. Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

2.) Review and discuss current expense budget reports

Chairman Hughes noted current issues of concern would most likely be Welfare, Heat, Electric, and the Roads. He also inquired about anticipated capital budget items. Daniel (Dan) Donovan explained the Fire Department has a major problem with a tanker. He further noted the Town took over land taken for non payment of taxes next to the Recycling Center and the ten-year appeal period is up June 2006. Although there will be extensive site work, the Selectmen and Fire Department have been discussing building a new steel building at the location for approximately $600K.

Chairman Hughes confirmed the Capital Budget has $176,000 for a truck fire truck and $150,000 for building. Mr. Donovan stated the Selectmen have discussed adding $150,000 to the Capital Reserve.

The Committee asked Carla Walter to confirm whether there was $3,000 or $5,000 limit for 2006 capital expenditure.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

3.) Set guideline for annual salary budget increase

Chairman Hughes suggested the Committee draft a letter to department heads with suggestions and guidelines for setting the annual salary budget increase. The Committee discussed a range options to for an increase for town employees. Members had concerns about additions of employees in the previous years and asked if the Budget Committee or the Board of Selectmen could adopt a policy that the department heads cannot add employees or change status of part-time to full-time in 2006. The Committee agreed they could only suggest such a regulation and the Selectmen are responsible for hiring freezes. The Committee noted health insurance could potentially be up as much as 15%. Dan Donovan stressed keeping the range on the higher end, noting the Police Department is a “training ground” for officers who leave for higher paying jobs and that the employee portion of the town budget was a very minimal amount.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adopt of 3.5% salary increase.
Voting: 4 ayes; 1 nay; 3 abstentions.
An amended MOTION was made to strongly encourage the Selectmen to support the Committee’s desire to keep the current staff level in the Town for 2006.
Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.
Voting:   8 ayes; motion carried.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

4.) Review, discuss, and adopt meeting schedule for the committee through February 2006

The Committee discussed the proposed schedule and agreed to the following:

November 15, 29th, 2005
December 6, 13th, 2005
January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31st, 2006
February 7th,  2006 if needed.

5.) Adjournment

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.
Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
 
Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter