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TOWN OF DUNBARTON BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING February 1, 2001 Present: Merton Mann, Chair Chuck Graybill J.R. Swindlehurst Janice Jelley, Town Administrator 7:00 PM J. R. Swindlehurst made the motion to accept the 2001 Budget for the Town of Dunbarton with a total of $1,117,723. The motion was seconded by Mert Mann and all were in favor. The Selectmen reviewed and discuss the 2001 Warrant. 7:30 PM Budget Hearing: The hearing on the Proposed 2001 Budget for the Town of Dunbarton was formally opened at 7:30 pm by Chairman Mert Mann. Chairman Mann stated that the 2001 Budget is $1,117,723.40, up $58,601.15 from the year 2000. This would be offset by the revenues estimated at $715,351.00 which would mean $402,372.40 to be raised in taxes. Based on the current valuation of the town of $141 Million, the tax rate for the town would be $2.85, an increase of $.04. This would mean an increase of only $4.00 per year for a $100,000 home. Chairman Mann went through the budget line by line, taking questions. · Executive: Up $5,843.10 due to increases in hourly wages for Town Office Employees. It was noted that the Board of Selectmen did not increase their wages. · Elections, Registration and Vital Stats: There were four elections last year and only one election this year. This line had a decrease of $1,349. There was an increase in the Town Clerk’s Salary from $3300 per year to $3900 plus fees, the total line = $18,400. · Financial Administration: Decrease of $875 due to less cost for computer updates. Board of Assessors down $500 on the supply line and the training line. · Legal: Up $10,175 over last year’s budget. It was noted by Chairman Mann that one legal suit has been resolved and one is about to be. The Arbutus Farm matter should not take much longer. · Personnel Administration: Up $9,077 over last years due to increases in salaries and the hiring of a full time police chief (this group of accounts include benefits for employees). · Planning and Zoning: Up $350 over last year. · General Govt. Building: Down $4,685. On the Maintenance line there is $20,000 which includes money for the addition to the Highway Garage, repairs to the firehouse, maintenance of the Transfer Station and general maintenance of the town buildings. There is a slight increase in the heating and a decrease in the maintenance line for the heating and plumbing. · Cemeteries: Increase of $690. There is a decrease in some lines such as Monument repair, fence repair and mapping while there is an additional costs for signs for the cemeteries. These signs (they will try to purchase one or two this year) will be the same style as the welcome to Dunbarton signs. · Insurance: A slight variation from 2000, down $78. · Police Department: The police budget has an increase of $14,537 over last year. This is in part due to the hiring of a full-time police chief and the increase of the hourly wage for the part-time officers from $8.00 to $11.50. It was noted that the chief’s salary was only budgeted from March 1st thru the end of the year. Page #2 Minutes: Board of Selection February 1, 2001 · Fire Department: The fire department budget is up $6585 over last years budget. A new line was added this year for compensation for firefighters based on a point system. This was something that other towns have devised to give incentive for members to respond to calls. J R. Swindlehurst stated that there has already been significant interest in the department among the active members. Brian Little asked if the department can still be considered Volunteer. JR stated that it would as long as no more than $5000 was paid to a person per year. Another change in the budget for 2001 is Ambulance Service. There is now a cost for paramedic intercepts. The budget reflects a cost for this. Joe Milioto stated that Concord will now be charging for intercepts and this cost must be passed on to the recipient. He stated that most of the people taken advantage of the service are from out of town. The town can waive the cost of the ambulance if they feel the patient is unable to pay. The town will bill for this service, through the Concord Hospital, so that the town will not get stuck with the costs. Money received from this service will be placed in a special revenue fund to buy equipment for the fire department. An article will be on the town warrant this year to have the town vote on it. · Building Inspection: Budget increased by $7,126 over last year. Secretarial service was added this year and Mert Mann reminded everyone that this department generated over $21,000 last year. · Highway Department: Down $1275 from last year. · Solid Waste Disposal: Increased $10,528 over last year. Brian Little, Supervisor of Transfer Station, advised the incineration is up because of increase in volume and he figured the worst case scenario. Brian was asked about tonnage vs recycling of plastic. Brian stated that it was not cost efficient to recycle plastic because it cost more than it paid. It cost $1000 a ton to recycle and can’t grind it because they won’t take it. To get rid of it at the incinerator is only $200. Regarding C&D removal, there is no money budgeted because it is now taken by Waste Management with regular trash. · Conservation Commission: No change in their budget this year. Proposed Warrant Articles were discussed. The Selectmen will include an article for $25,000 from surplus to update the tax maps; $60,000 to rebuild the tank and body on Fire truck #1; $15,000 to cover the cost of consolidating the Town Hall and Town Office building; $10,000 for a second baler at the transfer station. The Ethics Committee will be submitting an article for acceptance of the Ethics Code, the Conservation Commission will have an article to have the town vote to approve purchasing land for conservation and there will be a couple of road closings on the warrant. Larry Cook asked how much money will be left in surplus after the above articles have been accounted for. Mert Mann stated that the town now had a surplus of $258,000 and with the above would have $148,000 left. Mert also indicated that the Department of Revenue and the Auditors have commended the selectmen for the amount of surplus that they have. Mert Mann stated that if anyone had any further questions regarding the budget for 2001, please give the town office a call or please call the selectmen personally. The Budget hearing was official closed at 8:22PM.
Larry Cook & Bret St.Claire- Conservation Commission: The selectmen discussed their proposed warrant article and asked for clarification in some of the wording. Larry stated that the words “fee interest” meant ownership. It was discussed whether or not to change the wording to make it more clearer to the voters. The closing of Whipple Road was also discussed. The selectmen will put on the warrant an article to close Whipple Road if the Conservation Commission approves. The Commission will meet this week and will Page #3 Minutes: Board of Selectmen February 1, 2001 let the selectman know what their feelings were on this matter and the matter of the wording of the article regarding “fee interest”. Larry Cook inquired as to what the selectmen have decided regarding the updating of the tax maps. The selectmen stated that this will go out to bid after approval at town meeting. Larry wanted to check out companies interested because of certain things he would like to see on the maps. 8:45 pm, J.R.Swindlehurst made motioned to adjourn,, which was seconded by Chuck, all in favor. ___________________________________________ Merton Mann, Chair ___________________________________________ Chuck Graybill, Selectman ___________________________________________ J.R. Swindlehurst, Selectman Submitted by: Janice Jelley
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