TOWN OF DUNBARTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES OF MEETING

Feb. 5, 2004

Present: Chuck Graybill

J.R. Swindlehurst, III

Steve Kennedy

Janice VandeBogart, Town Administrator

7:00 p.m. Chuck called the meeting to order.

Chuck motioned to accept the 2004 Town Warrant as written (see attached), and noted that Article 7 has been increased by $5,000 to $20,000. J.R. seconded the motion and noted that zoning articles were missing. The motion carried. Chuck asked if there was any discussion. Steve and J.R. indicated that they were neutral on some articles and were looking to the Town to make a decision. Steve indicated that he was neutral on the Road Agent and Transfer Station articles. It was noted, however, that it is customary for the Board to approve or disapprove articles and was, in fact, required with money articles. Chuck indicated that he was neutral on articles 8 and 10, but thinks the Board should take a position on purchasing the Vaal property and felt the Board would be remiss not to take a position. Steve suggested voting on each article. J.R. said he was in favor of all articles, but had mixed feelings.

Steve motioned to add a footnote(*) to Building Permits, Income from Departments and Sale of Town Property line items on the Anticipated Revenue for 2004 (see attached) page, as follows: *Please refer to the increase fee schedule in the Town Report. Chuck seconded the motion. The motion carried.

J.R. motioned to grant a 90 day extension to REDML Development, LLC (Robert and Dorothy Perry). Steve seconded the motion. The motion carried.

7:15 p.m. Tom Gleason, re: conducting his business from his residence

Tom brought in a court decree, authorizing him to run his business from his home. Steve and Chuck said that was not an issue. Steve indicated that the Board assumed the green truck belonged to him and that the State said Tom needs to pump the tank, but that the State didn't say who would pay. He also stated that not pumping would be grounds for the property to be deemed inhabitable and an eviction. Tom brought in a letter he wrote to the Board, in which he stated that he felt the Board's action was inappropriate (see attached).

7:30 p.m. Budget Hearing on Proposed 2004 Budget (see attached)

Chuck called the meeting to order to discuss the Town Warrant for 2004, stating that this meeting is not to discuss 2003 results. Chuck reviewed the significant changes to the line items in the 2004 budget and invited those in attendance to ask questions by raising their hands. The Executive line is up 12.3% to $84,019, due to an increase in part time office staff. Elections, Reg. and Vital Stats is up by 8.5% to $33,200 due to an increase in the Deputy Town Clerk's hours. Financial Admin. is up 23.1% to $88,017, due to higher audit services costs resulting from fixed asset accounting required on fixed assets, including buildings, furniture, and roads. The Board is monitoring the Town of Northwood, which has recently undergone the same thing. The Assessing Dept. is higher by 19% to $25,050, due to Compton French.

Legal is down by 32.5%, which was attributable to the budgeting in 2003 for a suit, which was settled. Ron Slocum questioned why the money wasn't going to budgeted again, since he had heard of another potential suit. Chuck responded that the Town has had its share of suits and the Board feels there is enough money to cover potential suits. Personnel Admin. is up by 35.5%, which was due to higher fringe benefits, Social Security and retirement plan costs and one more full time employee (who works for 22 hours for the Police Dept. and 18 hours for the Building Dept.), and a 3.5% across the board salary increase. Chuck indicated that this item is actually higher, but $14,000 of costs were transferred to the Police Dept. Planning and Zoning shows a 152.3% increase to $127,816. which reflects an increased number of hearings. Chuck also indicated that the the Town is now collecting 100% of fees. John Trottier asked whether site plan reviews were included in engineering costs, and Chuck responded affirmatively. Chuck commended Ken and Barbara for doing an excellent job. Government Buildings is down by 10.7% to $36,770, due to less building maintenance costs. Cemeteries is up by 88.2% to $14,380 due to increase mowing costs and fence repairs, as well as premarkig the new section of the Center Cemetery, at a cost of $4,500. Chuck also mentioned that the Highway Dept. will be putting a road system in the Center Cemetery. No change was noted in Insurance. Police is up by 55.7%, which reflects a full year for Master Patrolman, Chris Connelly, and a change in the method of paying retirement, as well as the purchase of computer software for police line ups. The Fire Dept. shows an increase by 14.1% to $64,315 and noted that it was due to the point quota system (there were 203 calls in 2003, at $4/call), mutual aid compact dry hydrant repairs and $1,000 payment to the Chief. Chuck indicated that the point quota system is working very well and there is a lot of enthusiasm for it. He complimented the Chief. Chuck also noted that there is $15,0000 in the ambulance fund and it is growing.

Building Inspection is up by 12.2% to $58,050, which is due to additional hours for Barbara, 30 hours/week for Ken, 12 hours/week for Harvey and 25 hours/week for a new person. Chuck indicated that Ken is required to attend all ZBA and Planning Board meetings and is handling "planning responsibilities", including coordinating with attorneys on potential lawsuits. New furniture is also contributing to the increase.

Highways and streets showed a minimal increase by 1.5% to $433,640, due to a chipper purchase for $20,000, which is needed to cut trees cut on the sides of roads. Chuck indicated that work in 2004 will include: Black Brook Rd.- Faustini corner, the curve at the entrance to the pond on Gorham Pond Rd., a top coat at the Recycle center, from Goffstown town line, north to where the culvert was replaced last year on Twist Hill Rd., site work at the Town shed for a new salt shed and replacement of culverts on Rangeway, Long Pond and Tenney Hill roads. Ron Slocum asked why there was such a discrepancy between expended and budgeted for 2003. Chuck attributed it to higher revenue from leasing/buying vehicles on the revenue side. Steve explained that this was a dedicated revenue stream, which can lapse to the general fund and be returned to the taxpayers.

Solid Waste Disposal is up by 8.6% to $178,805, due to higher maintenance costs and a cover for the new truck. Chuck thanked Woody Bowne for his exceptional work, and noted that survey results concur. Chuck mentioned that Woody was instructed to "band aid" equipment, to keep costs down, since the school budget is significantly higher.

Parks and Rec. is down by 9.6% to $78,290.

The overall increase is by 14.5% to $1,520,349.

A discussion took place between Town residents and the Board regarding Building Inspection fees, Transfer Station employees, and the Police Dept.

Chuck then reviewed articles 4-8 on the Town Warrant (see attached). A discussion on the proposed increase in Transfer Station days open to the public from 2 to 4 took place, and its effect on commercial haulers.

Chuck indicated that the budget increase, including all warrant articles except for #2 (the purchase of the Vaal property) would mean an increase of $377,135. He noted that $129,000 would come from surplus, $150,000 to offset taxes and that $98,135 would come from taxes. He stated that, overall, there would be an increase to the tax rate by $1.05 - $1.10.

8:50 p.m. Chuck moved to adjourn the Public Hearing and the Board meeting, which was seconded by Steve. The motion carried.

_____________________________________________________________________

Chuck Graybill, Chairman

_____________________________________________________________________

J.R. Swindlehurst,III, Selectman

_____________________________________________________________________

Steve Kennedy, Selectman

Respectfully Submitted,

Joanne Johnson