BRISTOL BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
December 14, 2009

PRESENT: Andrew Hemingway- Chairman, Dave Carr, Wendy Costigan , Barbara Greenwood, Shaun Lagueux, Ron Preble, Jo n Thouin, Ashley Dolloff, Paul Simard, Jeff Shackett, Dorcas Gordon, Dan Arseneau

ABSENT: Dan Bouchard

OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Weston, Town Manager; Christina McClay, Assessing Assistant; The Board of Selectmen; Steve Favorite

CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Hemingway called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

REVIEW OF MINUTES:
The meeting began with a review of the minutes from December 7, 2009; Barbara Greenwood made a motion to accept the minutes as amended and was seconded by Ron Preble. Motion carried with all in favor.


PRESENTATIONS:
Chairman Hemingway welcomed the Board of Selectmen and asked them to discuss their proposed budget. The members gave a brief overview of their approach to the budget and how they made their decisions.  Paul Fraser, Chairman of the Select Board, explained that they have put together a budget with honest numbers.

They met with department heads and considered each CIP recommendation carefully.  The Board is recommending 4 of the 12 CIP items. The proposed wages and the State mandated retirement benefit rates, as well as health benefits have an impact on the 2010 budget. 

There was a discussion regarding the shortfall of revenues and how the Selectmen would resolve the difference.  Mr. Thouin suggested looking again at the line 4210-141, 4210-140, and 3401-210.  It appears there may be some duplication.  Mr. Weston stated that he would research this. 

Mr. Carr stated the committee will need to cut a large sum from the proposed budget, adding that some difficult decisions will have to be made. 

Chairman Hemingway thanked the Selectmen for their work and would like to have them back when the Budget Committee has completed their proposed budget.  He would like to present a budget to the Town that both boards agree on.  Chairman Fraser said he would appreciate the opportunity to continue working together.

TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT
Selectmen Denning and Stephen Favorite presented the Transportation Enhancement that they have written a grant for.  The Town of Bristol has a good chance of receiving the funding for the enhancement of the Town Commons and correcting traffic flow and parking spaces. 

OTHER BUSINESS:
The next scheduled meeting is January 4, 2010.

ADJOURNMENT:
No further business coming before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm upon a motion by Mr. Simard and seconded by Mr. Lagueux .

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Hemingway
Recording Secretary