Minutes Budget Committee/ Selectmen Joint Meeting 12/15/08, 5:00 pm
Present: Peoples, Webster, Beeson, Lovett, Devine, Rothschild, Johnson
The purpose of the meeting was to review 2009 budget proposals from several town departments. ~Relevant discussion included:
Sanitation: Per Scott and Peter, the market for recyclables has collapsed. ~In addition to increased costs of hauling and tipping fees, they do not anticipate realizing any revenue offsets. Vendors are not reflecting any economies for lowered fuel costs yet. ~Chris Devine noted that the town has a task force working on a 10-15 year “fix,” but that won’t give us any relief in 2009.
Highways: The current market price for salt is $92/ton. The town has been extended the State bid price of $65.00/ton for this year. The usage period we are now budgeting for, primarily, is the winter of ’09-’10. ~Thus it’s difficult to predict with accuracy the actual costs we’ll encounter, and prudent to budget close to current market prices. ~ Diesel costs reflect actual gallons used this year, and the best estimates of ’09 fuel costs. ~If current trends continue, we may get some relief here. Current budget figures are based on $3.15/gal. The department recommends purchase of a new backhoe as the current one has over eight thousand hours. ~A good backhoe is imperative for filling sand trucks and repairing culverts and several other maintenance functions. ~Peter Webster asked if we had considered buying a lightly used machine. ~If we do buy a new one, we should look for opportunities to get the price below $80,000 – perhaps by delaying purchase a bit. ~Also, per Peter W., we should keep some capital reserve monies for the transfer station backhoe for repairs to the old backhoe that would be ideal for the transfer station. The capital outlays proposed for repairing Burleigh Farm Rd., Merrillwood,
etc. are based on “height-of-market” estimates; actual costs could be less. Sid Lovett asked if we are paying attention to the master plan’s call for keeping some dirt roads. ~Peter F. answered yes, we maintain approximately 19 paved and 19 gravel roads at this time.
Library: Victoria Lang and Amanda Loud presented statistics showing the library has met the goals established after last year’s big budget increase, notably in traffic, circulation, and computer usage. ~The selectmen and budget committee applauded the library’s improved performance. ~Bob Rothschild asked the library board to consider funding more of its future enhancements (e.g. updating collections) through private fundraising. The 2009 capital budget proposal includes $15,000 for roof repairs and heating-plant improvements that will be accomplished in 2008. ~Victoria said she was not convinced the library needed an addition, and
wanted to see what more was possible in the current space. All recognize the shift of the library personnel’s benefits are now included in the library budget and not the personnel benefit line item in the overall budget. This cost shift and the addition of a second fulltime benefited employee is approximately $32,000.
Parks and Recreation: ~Wendy Werner presented a 2009 budget proposal which includes a modest increase for expanding summer camp from 6 to 9 weeks (+$2881 for camp staff wages), and for attendance at a national parks & rec. conference. ~It was noted we do offer some scholarships for camp attendance; Peter Webster and Bob Rothschild suggested we ask for sponsors for these, and additional, scholarships. ~Walter Johnson said that department heads, including Wendy, should not solicit contributions. However, this would be an appropriate role for the recreation board. ~Bob Rothschild suggested that Wendy and the rec. board provide a list of “deliverables” including goals for the department similar to what the library did last year. The concerts at Curry Place were discontinued in 2008 as the Squam Lakes Chamber declined to fund them. ~A proposal for Holderness parks & rec. to reinstitute a concert series will be submitted to the voters via a separate warrant article, per Walter Johnson’s suggestion. Wendy proposed a summer concert budget of $4100, Johnson suggested a sponsor or sponsors be sought to fund a portion of the concerts and the budget be reduced to $2500 as the town’s contribution.
Town Beach: no significant budget increases and no issues discussed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
The next Budget Committee meeting will be December 22, at 6:30 at the Town Hall.
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