Wilton
2006 Budget Committee
Members Present: Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Mark H. Whitehill, Joyce A. Fisk,
Donna Pucciarello, Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Donald C. Davidson, Jr., David B.
Tierney, Jr. and Daniel Donovan III Selectmen Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT: William J. Keefe, Daniel Levesque
OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Elliot, Brent Hautanen, and Carla J. Walter
The draft work session agenda was
amended as follows:
1.)
School Operating Budget and
Warrant Articles
2.)
Highway Departments Capital
Outlay and Capital Reserves Budgets
3.)
Library Warrant Article
4.)
Ambulance Capital Reserve
5.)
Town Hall Renovation
Capital Reserve
6.)
Fire Station Capital
Reserve
7.)
8.)
Public Hearing Schedule
Update
9.)
Miscellaneous
10.)
Adjournment
Chairman Hughes called the meeting
to order at
1.)
School Operating and Warrant Articles
The
Committee noted that there was an error in the Operating Budget for the
School’s Associate Psychologist’s salary for 06-07. Therefore, the line item
2143-114-260 is decreased by $18,102 with a total operating budget of
$2,872,069.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an
operating budget of $2,872,069.00.
The
Committee discussed the increasing school budget and if $12,500 a student is
too high in a small town such as
Voting:
6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to raise and
appropriate the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of hiring a professional architectural
and design firm to create a schematic building design for renovations,
construction of an addition, or construction of a new school. This is a special
warrant article and is not included in the operating budget warrant article.
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to raise and
appropriate up to $20,000 to be added to the school district building
maintenance and improvement Capital Reserve Fund previously established, with
such amount to be funded from the year and undesignated fund balance available
on July 1, 2006. The warrant article is not included in the operating budget.
Voting:
7ayes; motion carried.
There
was no further discussion on the matters.
2.)
Highway Departments
Steve
Elliot appeared before the Committee to discuss his various departmental
budgets.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve
$50,000.00 to the Highway Equipment General Reserve Fund.
This MOTION was tabled under the Capital
Outlay Accounts were voted upon and resumed discussion at
Discussion
involved what the General Account for the Highway Department consists of and if
this was specifically for a Grader. Steve Elliot informed the Committee that
it’s for equipment needs, and at this time, not intended for a Grader.
The MOTION was AMENDED and SECONDED to
appropriate $10,000 for the Highway Equipment General Reserve Fund.
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $40,000
for Truck Replacement.
Mr.
Elliot explained to the Committee that the current 1977 truck needs to be
replaced. However, this truck has a lot of money invested in parts and
equipment that can only be used on that specific Mac truck. Therefore, the
Highway Department is seeing the purchase of a used truck. Currently, a 1980
replacement truck would cost approximately $20,000-$30,000 and $10,000 to
switch the equipment from one vehicle to another. The Committee expressed
concern that $10,000 might not be adequate for such a transfer.
The MOTION was AMENDED and SECONDED to
appropriate $60,000 for a new replacement truck and NOT appropriate the Wing
Plow Attachment Request of $9,500.00.
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
The
Committee asked if the custom equipment could be sold. Steve approximated $2,500.00 for the
equipment and thanked the Committee for their time.
There
was no further discussion on the matters.
3.)
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
There was
no further discussion on the matters.
4.)
Library Warrant Article
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate
the sum of $60,000.00 for the correction of water drainage problems on the
Library property. Work to include installing a perimeter drainage system around
the Library building at the foundation level and connecting existing drawings
into the new
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to authorize
the withdrawal of $300,000 plus accumulated interest from the Library
Renovation and Preservation Capital Reserve fund, previously established and
funded for that purpose. Monies to be transferred into the Library Renovation
Working Capital Fund and be used for the continuation of the ongoing Library
Renovation work, or take any action related thereto.
Voting: 7 ayes; motion
carried.
There was no further discussion on
the matters.
5.) Ambulance
Capital Reserve
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $17,000.00 to the
Ambulance Capital Reserve Account.
Voting: 7 ayes; motion
carried.
There was no further discussion on
the matter.
6.) Town Hall
Renovation Capital Reserve
Selectmen
Representative Daniel Donovan explained to the Committee the Town Hall is still
in need of repairs, such as the roof.
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $15,000 for the Town
Hall Renovation Capital Reserve.
Voting: 7 ayes; motion
carried.
There was no further discussion on the matter.
7.)
Fire Station Capital
Reserve
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $125,000 for the
Fire Station Capital Reserve.
The
Committee took note they have appropriated over $315,000 for Capital Equipment
for the Fire Department.
Voting:
3 ayes; 4 nayes; 1 abstention; motion FAILED.
There
was no further discussion on the matter.
8.)
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve
$43,000 for Engineering Services for the
Voting:
8 ayes; motion carried.
There
was no further discussion on the matter.
9.) Bridges
Capital Reserve
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate
$25,000 for the Bridges Capital Reserve.
Steve
Elliot explained to the Committee that this is a General Fund and not for a
specific bridge.
Voting:
1 aye; 6 nayes; motion FAILED
There
was no further discussion on the matter.
10.)
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve
$1.00 for
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
11.)
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve
$25,000 for engineering plans for a new fire station.
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
12.)Schedule Update
The
Committee expressed concern that the Public Hearing for
There was no further discussion on the matter.
12. Adjournment
A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the
meeting.
Voting:
7 ayes; motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at
________________________________________
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Carla J. Walter