Wilton Town Hall Courtroom
November 29, 2005

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 and Jerry Greene, Selectmen Representative
MEMBERS ABSENT:  Donald C. Davidson, Jr., Daniel Levesque and Daniel Donovan III,
OTHERS PRESENT:  Carla Walter, Police Chief Brent Hautenan, Mary Pat Jackson, Carol R. Robert, Stanley Young, Ron Brown and David Glines

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

1.) Host Homes
2.) Library
3.) Police
4.) Milford Area Communication Center (MACC Base)
5.) Wilton/Lyndeboro/Temple Volunteer Ambulance
6.) Other Business
7.) Minutes
8.) Adjournment

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

1.) Host Homes

Mary Pat Jackson appeared before the Committee to explain her request for $3,500 from the town of Wilton for Host Homes.  Ms. Jackson noted that Host Homes was established in 1996 in Milford and in 1999 expanded to the town of Amherst.  She further noted her annual budget of $23,500 is for her salary of approximately 20/hrs a week, computer supplies and phone expenses.  Milford has approved $5,000 in funding along with $3,500 from Amherst.  The remaining funds come from the Hillsborough County.    She concluded that there has been interest from the School that Wilton would be a good fit for the program.

The Committee thanked Ms. Jackson for her presentation and let her know that once a decision has been made, she will be contacted.  Ms. Jackson thanked the Committee for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.
 

2.) Library

Stanley Young appeared before the Committee to explain the Library’s request for $176,790 for 2006.  He explained that while the request is $10,000 or 6% higher than 2005 there are many reasons, noting personnel changes, employee benefits and fuel.  He further noted 2 warrant articles ($60,000 for the correction of water drainage problems on the Library and $300,000 plus accumulated interest from the Library Renovation and Preservation Capital Reserve fund).

The Committee thanked Mr. Young for his presentation and let him know that once a decision has been made, he will be contacted.  Mr. Young thanked the Committee for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

3.) Police

Police Chief Brent Hautenan appeared before the Committee to give a heads up of what to expect for the Police Department budget issues for 2006. He noted specifically fuel/gas; salary increase for one department employee and ammunition will most likely be increased.  The Committee expressed concern with a 60% increase in gasoline.  Chief Hautenan explained that a lot of gas is used when cruisers are at accident scenes, or road patrol because they have to remain on idling for sometimes several hours.  He further expressed his desire to have the town look into leasing the cruisers even though he received little support from the Selectmen for this request.  Chief Hautenan also explained the Car 54 program and expressed a desire to look into this although the 2001 cruiser does not meet guidelines to qualify for this program.

The Committee asked if there would be any significant changes to the Police Building budget. Chief Hautenan explained that he has recently been monitoring electricity as he has seen a steady increase over the months.

Chief Hautenan concluded that he would also have a warrant article and complete budget figures shortly.

The Committee thanked Chief Hautenan for giving a brief overview of what to expect for his budget requests.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

4.) Milford Area Communication Center (MACC Base)

The Committee briefly discussed the approved Milford 2006 budget for MACC Base.  Mr. David Glines explained that the Fire and Police Departments have expressed how satisfied they have been with the communication from MACC base and the investment the town has in the Center.  It was noted their budget is only up 3% from 2005.

The Committee thanked Mr. Glines for his input.  There was no further discussion on the matter.
 

5.) Heritage Commission

Mr. Stanley Young appeared before the Committee to explain his request for $700 for 2006, noting a $100 increase from 2005.

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve $700 to the Heritage Commission for 2006.
Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

Mr. Young thanked the Committee for their time. There was no further discussion on the matter.

6.) Minutes of November 1, 2005

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the minutes as written.
Voting: 7 ayes; motion carried.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

7.) Other Business

Chairman Hughes reminded the Committee that the Wilton Main Street Association’s (WMSA) Treasurer’s report is in their packages, along with the Conservation Commission’s proposed budget.  He further noted the following scheduled departments to appear before the Committee:

December 6, 2005 Wilton/Lyndeboro/Temple Volunteer Ambulance
December 13, 2005 Conservation Commission
January 10, 2005 Recycling Center
 

8.) Adjournment

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.
Voting:  6 ayes; motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

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Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter