Town of WILTON 2008 BUDGET COMMITTEE

Wilton Town Hall

January 9, 2008

 

 

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

MEMBERS ABSENT:         David B. Tierney, Jr, and Donald R. McGettigan, Sr., 

OTHERS PRESENT:            Stanley Young, Michael G. Dell'Orto, all members of the Lyndeborough Budget Committee, Maurice Guay, Bill Carnduff, Carol McEntee, and others.

 

 

The AGENDA was amended as follows:

 

7:30     WLT Ambulance

8:15      Recycling Center

8:40      Heritage Commission

8:50      Building Inspection

9:00      Other Business

            -           Public Hearing Schedule

9:05      Adjournment

 

Ch. Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:36p.m.

 

1.)                WLT Ambulance

 

William (Bill) Carnduff presented a proposed budget request of $246,240, a 1.92% increase from 2007.  He explained a contract has been signed for another year between the towns but they are still working out negotiations for a longer-term contract.   He also stated that the co-chairman Paul Buffum has resigned therefore, he would be Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 

Carol McEntee, Director presented detail on expenses.  She stated the $2,510 listed, as protective gear/uniforms was an expense for uniforms.  She also explained eight (8) of the sixteen (16) sets of protective gear were purchased through a warrant article in 2007 and that another warrant article would be needed for the final eight (8) sets.

 

The Committee’s asked when a new ambulance would be needed.  Dan Donovan explained that it has been difficult getting an estimate.  Carol reminded the Committee’s that the one of the two ambulances is a 1997 and the average life span of this type of vehicle is no more than ten (10) years.   This vehicle has mechanical problems and approximately $56K in miles.  The other vehicle is a 2001 with 76K miles.  They discussed how the private organizations typically have the newer vehicle dedicated to emergencies and the other for non-emergency type calls.  Wilton currently has $77,000 in reserves, and Lyndeborough $37,000.  Temple does not have capital reserves.  It was determined that approximately $160,000 would be needed for a replacement in 2008.  Their thoughts were to incorporate contributions for a new ambulance in a long-term contract.

 

Carol and Bill thanked the Committee’s for their time.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

2.)                Recycling Center

 

Maurice Guay appeared before the Committee with his original request on October 30th, 2007 for $627,350, which is a 5.6% increase from 2007.

The Committee reviewed the minutes of 10/30/2007.  It was determined the following details need to be provided:

· Ash Removal                         · Tires

· Diesel Fuel                            · Workman’s Compensation

· Dumpster Hauling                  · Health Insurance

· Repairs Equipment

 

Maurice confirmed that the dumpster hauling is a three- (3) contract, which goes out to bid.

The Lyndeborough Budget Committee asked if there were any equipment needs.  Chairman Hughes indicated that the Planning Board was in the process of updating the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The Committee asked for member Mark Whitehill to speak to the Administrative Assistant and assist Maurice with his budget.  The Committee also communicated for Maurice to speak with Frost Farm for quotes on the backhoe.

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

3.)                Heritage Commission

 

Stanley Young and Michael G. Dell'Orto appeared before the Committee to appeal their motion to appropriate $700 to the Heritage Commission.  They explained the issues and concerns the Committee expressed on January 2, 2008.  Specifically they listed the following advantages to the town attendant upon placing the Town Hall in the National Register of Historic Places:

·        Recognition of the Richardson Romanesque style of architecture in the state.

·        The building's significance as the most prominent structure on Main Street and the importance it would bring to the re-vitalization going on downtown.

·        Eligibility to receive certain grants for major repair and renovation.

·        Flexibility in building code compliance.

·        Sixth structure to be listed in Wilton and the second structure on Main Street.

·        Attraction to visitors and tourists.

 

They also spoke to Christine Fonda Rankie, Registration Coordinator the NH Division of Historical Resources and she made a site inspection of the Town Hall and has revised her estimate to $4,000.  Therefore, the Heritage Commission respectfully requested an additional $4,000 be allocated for this expense.

 

The Committee noted their passion for the request.  There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

4.)                Building Inspection

 

The Committee noted the discussion on January 2, 2008 in which they requested more detail on the new equipment request for $1600.  Dan Donovan informed the Committee that the Department of Revenue would have issues with the security of all the employees in the town hall being hooked up to the same server.  Committee members stated that large corporations have one server and passwords can be obtained to protect such information.  They discussed the needs of the town hall and whether the entire building should be on one server.

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to appropriate $25,661 to the Town Hall Building Inspection Budget.

Voting 6 ayes; motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

5.)                Other Business

 

Chairman Hughes indicated that it was after 9:00 p.m. and asked that the remainder of agenda items be placed after the school building committee and other agenda items listed for Tuesday, January 15th, 2008.  He also indicated that due to the timeframe of the schedule it would be necessary to have two meetings possibly in one week and asked for help coordinating such a meeting.  The Committee also scheduled February 12th, 2008 for their public hearing and a snow date of February 14th, 2008. 

 

There was no further discussion on the matter.

 

6.)                Adjournment

 

A MOTION was made and SECONDED to adjourn the meeting.

Voting 6 ayes; motion carried.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Carla J. Walter

 

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