Wilton 2006 Budget Committee

 

Wilton Town Hall Courtroom

January 26, 2006

 

 

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, and Carla Walter

OTHERS PRESENT:       Steve Elliot, Brent Hautanen, and Stanley Schultz

 

The draft work session agenda was amended as follows:

 

1.)      Sewer Department

2.)      Highway Department

3.)      Resurfacing Budget

4.)      Cemetery Budget

5.)      Ambulance Service

6.)      Animal Control

7.)      Water Department

8.)      Recycling Center

9.)      Miscellaneous

10.)  Adjournment

 

Chairman Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

1.)                Sewer Department

 

Stanley Schultz appeared before the Committee to discuss the Sewer Department 2006 Budget Request. He noted his ongoing problem with Milford charging the town capital costs.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an operating budget of $200,322.00.

Voting:  6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

2.)                Highway Department

 

Steve Elliot appeared before the Committee to discuss his various departmental budgets.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an operating budget of $393,910.00

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

3.)                Resurfacing Budget

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the Resurfacing Budget for $236,900 noting this has committed the Town of Wilton to an eighteen (18) year plan of road maintenance.

Voting:  6 ayes; 1 naye; motion carried.

 

4.)                Cemetery Budget

 

The Committee inquired why the Town of Wilton covers maintenance of Mt. Calvary Cemetery, which is actually owned by the Catholic Church. Selectmen Donovan agreed to discuss with the Selectmen.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the Cemetery Budget for $39,900.

Voting:  5 ayes; 1 naye; 1 abstention; motion carried.

 

6.)        Ambulance Service Budget

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve an operating budget of $84,910.00.

Voting:  6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED by approve $4,492.00 as a disbursement from the Trust Account to the Operating Fund.

Voting:  6 ayes; 1 abstention; motion carried.

 

7.)        Animal Control

 

The Committee inquired what the $2,401 expenses were from the Animal Control Budget. Brent Hautenan explained this expense could be for situations that require the Humane Society to help with stray animals. Although the homeowners are billed directly for this expense, the Town of Wilton reimburses the Humane Society, et al.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $1.00 for a 2006 Animal Control Budget.

Voting:   7 ayes; motion carried.

 

8.)                Water Department

 

The Committee noted a typographical error is the request for 2006. The correct amount is $233,100. They also inquired why the Water Department could withdraw money from its Capital Reserve Fund without having to come to the Budget Committee and Town Meeting to withdraw and use those funds. It was especially confusing when the Committee has to approve their Operating Budget. The Water Department informed the Committee they are Commissioners and have the authority to withdraw and administer Capital Reserve funds and merely come before the Committee as a courtesy. Chairman Hughes reminded the members that the department that the MS-7 requires the Water Department to be included. (Please refer to RSA 38:29 Water Funds, attached to the original minutes.) The Committee deferred this agenda item for the January 31, 2006 meeting.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

9.)      Recycling Budget

 

The Committee asked for a bid to replace the entire roof for their January 31, 2006.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $558,940.00 for the Recycling Operating Budget.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

10.)      Miscellaneous

 

The Committee asked Chairman Hughes to meet with Fire Chief Dick to discuss the new fire engine and scheduled this for the January 31, 2006 meeting. Chairman Hughes agreed.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

11.       Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting:  7 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.

 

 

________________________________________                                                                       

Minutes respectfully submitted by Cary A. Hughes

 

 

Source:  1997, 206:1, eff. July 1, 1997

 

 

I.                    The funds received from the collection of water rates shall be kept as a separate and distinct fund to be known as the water fund. Such fund shall be allowed to accumulate from year to year, shall not be commingled with town or city tax revenues, and shall not be deemed part of the municipality’s general funds accumulated surplus. Such fund ma6y be expended only for the purposes specified in RSA 38:28, or for the previous expansion or replacement of water lines or water systems.

 

II.                 Except when a capital reserve fund is established pursuant to paragraph III, all water funds shall be held in the custody of the municipal treasurer. Estimates of anticipated water rate revenues and anticipated expenditures from the water fund shall be prepared and submitted to the governing body as set forth is RSA 32:3, if applicable, and shall be included as part of the municipal budget submitted to the local legislative body for approval. If the municipality has a properly established board of water commissioner, then notwithstanding RSA 41:20 or RSA 48:15, the treasurer shall pay out amounts from the water fund only upon order to the board of water commissioners. Expenditures shall be within amounts appropriated by the local legislative body.

 

III.               At the option of local governing body, or of the board of water commissioners, if any, all or part of any surplus in the water fund may be placed in one or more capital reserve funds held in the custody of the trustees of the trust funds pursuant to RSA 35:7. If such a reserve fund is created, then the governing body, or board of water commissioners, if any, maybe expend such funds pursuant to RSA 35:15 without prior approval or appropriation by the local legislative body, but in all such expenditures shall be reported to the municipality pursuant to RSA 38:21. This paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit the establishment of other capital reserve funds for any lawful purpose relating to municipal water systems.                                                                                                                                                      

 

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