Wilton
2006 Budget Committee
Members Present: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, William J. Keefe, Donald R. McGettigan,
Sr., Mark H. Whitehill, David B. Tierney, Jr. Joyce A. Fisk, Donna Pucciarello,
Donald C. Davidson, Jr., Daniel Levesque and Jerry Greene, Selectmen
Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Carla
Walter, Steve Elliot, James Nelson, and Spencer Brooks
The AGENDA was amended as follows:
1.)
Conservation Commission
2.)
Home Healthcare Hospice &
Community Services
3.)
Resurfacing Department
4.)
Highway Department
5.)
Parks & Recreation
6.)
Highway Warrant Articles
7.)
Cemeteries
8.)
Town Hall Budget including
Employee Benefits
9.)
Other Business
10.)
Minutes
11.)
Adjournment
Chairman Hughes called the meeting to
order at
1.)
Conservation Commission
Mr. Spencer
Brooks appeared before the Committee to explain the 2006 proposed budget. He
noted there is a $2,000 grant that is included in the total operating budget
for a total of $14,335.00. He further explained that although there is a $5,000
increase in contracted services it is mostly used for GPS services that are
important and now available to the town. The Committee asked if the work in the
lot line adjustment for Frog Pond could be dealt with directly with the abutters
and the engineering and surveying company contracted to do the work. Mr. Brooks
responded that there is set procedure for this but that the expense result is
the same.
The
Committee asked Mr. Brookes to return in January when they can move forward
with the budget request. There was no further discussion on the matter.
2.)
Home Healthcare Hospice & Community Services
Mr. Brooks
presented the budget for the Home Hospice. He noted the office has moved to
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the
Home Healthcare Hospice & Community Services Budget for $7,000.
Voting: 9
ayes; motion carried.
There was
no further discussion on the matter.
3.)
Resurfacing Department
Mr. Steve
Elliot appeared before the Committee to discuss the proposed budget of
$236,900, an increase of 21.40% from 2005 ($195,050). Specifically this is due
to a 24% increase in the cost of asphalt.
The
Committee inquired if the 10-year maintenance plan is being followed for the
roads. Mr. Elliot noted that the 10 year plan is very aggressive and the budget
would have to increase. Mr. Elliot stated realistically it should be an 18 year
plan based on figures we reviewed last year. Mr. Elliot reminded the Committee
the town has 45 miles of paved roads and 12 miles of non-paved roads in town.
2006 road improvements are as follows:
Captain
Clark 1 and 2: Reclaim, rebuild, and replace $ 80,000
Isaac Frye
8 and 6: Overlay,
asphalt 2” $133,000
Main Street
2 and 3: Overlay, asphalt
2” $175,000
Any
remaining monies should be spent sealing, crackfilling, and shimming.
The
Committee asked for a copy of the RSMS Road Service Maintenance Plan. Mr.
Elliot provided a copy to Ms. Walter. This will be discussed at the
There was
no further discussion on the matter.
4.)
Highway
The
Committee thanked Mr. Elliot for increasing diesel fuel in order to accommodate
the rising prices of fuel. Current highway proposal is $391,210, a 2.38%
increase from 2005. The Committee will take action in January and thanked Mr.
Elliot for his time.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
5.)
Parks & Recreation
The
proposed budget of $8,800 including $1,100 for fertilizer and lime, is a 9.2%
increase from 2005 $7050.00. The
Committee will take action in January.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
6.)
2006 Warrant Articles
Mr. Elliot discussed possible warrant
articles for the Committee to consider such as:
$75,000 Grader (per the plan to set aside money each year in
Capital Reserve)
$20,000 Whiting Hill Road
$25,000 Bridge Reserve
$9,500 Wing Plow for existing Ford 550
$55,000 New Ford 550
Mr. Elliot
reminded the committee that these possible warrant articles were due to the
1977 truck being disabled. The current road grader is in worse shape than
originally thought and may not last long enough to wait until all the money has
been set aside in Capital Reserve Funds to purchase a new one. Although leaning
towards not supporting a new grader, buying a new grader may actually be more
cost effective, however, Mr. Elliot informed the Committee, he has not done
enough research on the subject to adequately support a proposal to purchase a
grader. The Committee thanked Mr. Elliot for keeping them informed and
requested that he get specific figures concerning truck prices and prices for a
used grader.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
7.)
Cemeteries
Mr. Steve
Elliot and Mr. James Nelson appeared before the Committee to discuss the
proposed $34,900 2006 budget, a decrease of 1.90% from 2005 $35,585.
Mr. Nelson
explained to the Committee while for the last two years he has little to no
time to update the mapping system, in 2005 he has been able to cover a portion
of
Mr. Nelson
concluded that it was a job that he volunteered for, but does not have the time
to dedicate and hopes the town will be patient with his task of mapping the
systems.
The
Committee thanked Mr. Nelson for his time and confirmed the $3,000 should
remain in the budget for maps.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
8.)
Town Hall Budgets
Mr. Greene
presented the Town Office budget again to the Committee. The Committee again
asked for an explanation of the increase in budget for labor. Mr. Greene
reminded the Committee this labor is to cover additional hours if a town hall
employee is out for an extended period. A 27% increase in Contracted Services
was determined to be for Vision Appraisal and BMSI yearly maintenance fees, et
al. The Committee will discuss again
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
Mr. Greene
presented the Employee Benefits for 2006 $164,418, a 6.2% increase from
$121,779.84. It was explained that this is to cover changes in the employee
benefits such as a single employee adding another dependant and a family
addition.
Mr. Greene
presented the Workman’s Compensation Budget for 2006 $42,397.73, a 2.5%
increase from 2005 $41,280.54.
Mr. Greene
presented the Unemployment Compensation Budget for 2006 $9,364, an increase
from 2005 $2,523.00. The Committee asked to take the following budgets up at
January 17, 2006 meeting. Mr. Greene agreed.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
9.) Other Business
Mr. Greene
informed the Committee that the NRPC fees for the Planning Board exceed the income
for applications and review time. He suggested that the Planning Board
incorporate the additional funds to their usual $5,000 proposal. The Committee
thanked Mr. Greene for bringing it to their attention and asked the Planning
Board be scheduled for
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
Agenda for January is as follows:
Police Department
Fire Department
Recycling
Ambulance
Planning Board
Building Inspection/Code Enforcement
Town Hall Budgets
Other Budgets not previously voted
upon (i.e., Conservation Commission, Highway, Host Homes, etc.)
The Committee was handed the Police
Department and
Chairman Hughes asked the Milford
Area Mediation Program be deferred and any other items on the agenda not
discussed.
10.) Minutes of
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the minutes as written.
Voting: 8 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
11.) Adjournment
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.
Voting: 9 ayes; motion
carried.
The meeting was adjourned at
________________________________________
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Carla J. Walter