Town of WILTON 2008 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

December 4, 2007

 

 

Members Present:       Chairman Cary A. Hughes, Mark H. Whitehill, David B. Tierney, Jr, Donald C. Davidson, Jr., Elizabeth A. Castro (Betsy), Donna Pucciarello and Joyce A. Fisk

MEMBERS ABSENT:         Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., Daniel Donovan III

OTHERS PRESENT:            Carla Walter, Stanley Young, Joanna Eckstrom, Carol Roberts, Ron Brown, Hal Levine, Gerry Wroe, Spencer Brooks, Jeff Kandt and Alec MacMartin

 

 

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

 

7:30      Planning Board

7:50      Conservation Commission

8:10      Library

8:25      Wilton Main Street Association

8:30      Emergency Management

8:35      Minutes of November 13, 2007

9:00      Adjournment

 

Ch. Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.   He noted that Maureen Donovan would be rescheduled to the December 11th meeting.

 

1.)                Planning Board

 

Alec MacMartin and Jeff Kandt, Co-Chair’s of the Planning Board appeared before the committee to present a preliminary budget of $37,599.52, a 4.16% increase from their 2007 budget.  They explained the majority of the increase was due to the volume of cases for the 2007 period.

 

Jeff also explained that NRPC has local dues, of which have been allocated not only in the Planning Board budget, but in the Operating budget as well.  He noted the operating account has been paying these dues for since 2005. The Committee asked specifically what these dues are for, and if other town departments utilize this service from NRPC.  They decided to continue to keep these dues in the Planning Board budget and to have the dues come from this department and not the Operating account.

 

The Committee also discussed the NRPC Circuit Rider account vs. the Engineering Review account.  It was determined that the circuit rider is for fees incurred from meeting time for Steve Wagner and administrative tasks such as zoning updates.  The Engineering Review line item was for specific applications before the Planning Board that requires additional review to ensure the application is complete.  The Committee asked although this money is offset from the application fee, that it be included in the NRPC account.  The Committee recommended adding $7,500 to the NRPC account. 

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

2.)        Conservation Commission

 

Spencer Brooks appeared before the Board and explained the Chairman Lynne Draper could not present their budget.  Therefore, he presented a preliminary budget of $5,430, an increase of $1,075 from 2007.   He noted there is a $2,750 possible Warrant Article for the increase in State permitting fees.  He further noted the operating account increase was mostly due to the Conversation plan, which is required by the State RSA. 

 

The Committee asked when the NRI would be complete.  Spencer stated that it should be complete by February 2008.  Currently, approximately $6,000 had been spent of the $10,000 to date. These funds will be carried over, as they were a recurring warrant article.  The Committee asked Spencer when this warrant article was approved.  Spencer stated within year or two and would get back to the Committee with the exact warrant article year and number.  He also confirmed that the NRI is a contract, separate from the Heritage Commission.

 

Spencer also noted that the Commission is currently working on two (2) projects.  One of which town counsel is still determining and another easement.  These projects could potentially appear as warrant articles totaling $90,000.

 

The Committee discussed the $2,000 process for purchasing perpetuity bonds.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

3.)        Library

 

Stanley Young and several members of the Library Trustees and personnel appeared before the Committee to present their budget of $205,090 a 5.4% increase from 2007.  Stanley explained how much the Library has been used, and the recent updates including wireless Internet and handicap access, not to mention the general maintenance of the building.  He also noted increases in the bookkeeper’s hours and insurance coverage for full time librarians.

 

The Committee thanked the Trustees for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

4.)                Wilton Main Street Association

 

NOTE:  Elizabeth (Betsy) Castro stepped down from the Committee as a voting member at 8:22.

 

Tracey Bardsley, Director of the Main Street Association appeared before the Committee with her standard request for $10,000 funding for the non-profit organization.  She gave an overview of the fundraising and events during the 2007 period.  She further noted that the construction of Main Street had hindered some previously planned events. She distributed a flyer called “destination Wilton” that has been circulated throughout the region that highlighted several key areas of interest in Wilton and the surrounding areas.  Chairman Hughes asked for copies of these flyers for the High Mowing School.  Tracey also noted they have received $30,559 in grants and sponsorships, all of which went back into programs for the community as these funds, cannot be used to pay office expenses or salary.  She concluded with an update of Lot 48 Main Street and the park plans that are in process.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

Elizabeth Castro returned to the Board as a voting member at 8:31 p.m.

 

5.)                Emergency Management

 

Chairman Hughes presented a request for $600 for emergency services.  It was noted that $731 has been spent to date.  Chair. Hughes asked for Tom Herlihy to review his expenses in 2006 and 2007 and present an update if the request will be changed. 

 

6.)                Minutes

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to approve the November 13, 2007 minutes as written.

Voting 6 ayes; motion carried.

 

7.)                Other Business

 

The Committee discussed what the specific requests were from the Committee to the School Building Committee.  Chairman Hughes asked for members to review the minutes and be ready to create a list at the December 11, 2007 meeting so that they can be sure all their questions can be answered when the Committee comes back on December 18, 2007.  Specifically, the Budget Committee wanted to make sure they had plenty of process so that deadlines can be met with due diligence.

 

8.)                Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting 6 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

                                   

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

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