BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES

April 9, 2007

 

APPROVED AS AMENDED:

5/14/07 jrl ___________

 

AGENDA:                   Election of Officers

Goals and Improvements

 

ATTENDING: Archie Auger (Chairman), Dorcas Gordon (Vice Chairman),

Albert “Skip” Bowie, Dave Carr, Andrew Hemmingway, Catherine Pitari, Ron Preble, Paul Simard, Jon Thouin, Richie Walenda, Tom Winn.

 

ABSENT:                    Joe Denning (Selectmen’s Representative - ill), Darla Jaquith (excused, conflict)

 

OTHERS:                    Steve Favorite (Selectman)

 

 

 

The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m.  All new and incumbent members have been sworn in.

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:  Mr. Auger turned the elections over to the secretary.

R. Preble made a MOTION, second by A. Bowie, to elect Archie Auger as Chairman and Dorcas Gordon as Vice-Chairman.  The motion CARRIED.  Mr. Auger took over the meeting once again.  It was announced that Joe Denning will be the Selectmen’s Representative.

 

WELCOME:  Mr. Auger thanked the Committee for their work this past year and introduced new member, Andrew Hemmingway.  He then asked Mr. Hemmingway to give a little of his background.  Mr. Hemmingway stated that he is 24 years old, lives on Winter St. but will soon be moving to Corey Johnston’s new home on Timber Lane.  Mr. Hemmingway is an Insurance Agent working out of Ashland; his wife is in Real Estate.  He grew up in Plymouth and his wife is from Bristol.  He proudly announced that they are expecting.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  Mr. Auger sent the correspondence around for the members to look at.  It consisted of a workshop announcement (posted in the Planning/Zoning office), Senior Citizen letter, a letter on Investments and the new hours for the Town Office.  Mr. Favorite explained that those have further been changed due to the Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Raymah Simpson.  Ms. Simpson is to have an operation on her neck this coming Thursday and will be out for probably 6 weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

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MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 5TH  AND 12TH , 2007:  Ms. Corrow had asked that an amendment be made to the Feb. 5, 2007 minutes:  page 5, Library, 2nd paragraph, add the sentence, “Ms. Corrow added that there is $2500 for Americo N.H. Reads program.”

            With this change, P. Simard made a MOTION, second by A. Bowie, to ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF FEB. 5TH AND 12TH AS AMENDED.  The motion CARRIED with 2 abstentions.

 

REVIEW OF TOWN MEETING:

            A discussion was held as to the article that passed in regard to the CIP (Capital Improvements Program) committee.  Mr. Auger asked the members to consider a possible member for the Budget Committee to recommend (including the chair of the Budget Committee or his representative and one member of the public appointed by the Budget Committee).

            Mr. Bowie stated that the sound system was terrible and needs to be addressed.  Mr. Preble agreed and added that the TV tape was as bad.  Mr. Auger said that it was okay in the audience.  Mr. Thouin suggested that a speaker be placed facing the tables as well and Mr. Bowie said that it could be behind us which should help.  Mr. Thouin also suggested that the Budget Committee and Selectmen tables should be angled so that we could see each other, also.  Mr. Preble felt that the people did not want the meeting held there.  As to using the high school auditorium instead of the gym, Mr. Favorite stated that the lights have been replaced and could be a possibility. 

            Mr. Thouin asked if there is a way of placing all ballot votes toward the beginning of the meeting so that it doesn’t hold things up waiting for that hour to pass.  Mr. Auger stated that the first three were required to be first as they were bond items.  It was not known if the other one could have been placed earlier.

            Mr. Auger felt that the meeting was mostly favorable to the Budget Committee and to the Selectmen and he thought that this was probably due to the small difference in recommendations.

Ms. Gordon felt that the grouped together article would have been better if each item had been separated. 

 

SUMMER SCHEDULE:  Mr. Auger asked if the Committee wishes to meet each month or take some time out as has been done in previous years.  Mr. Bowie felt that we changed last year as people had expressed that we were not available enough.  Last year we met each month as a result.  Mr. Simard asked that we keep meeting on a Monday as it is best with his schedule.  Ms. Pitari felt that there is negativity when we leave out meeting in some months.  Meeting at least once, gives the Dept. Heads the opportunity to having us available to them.  Mr. Auger stated that we shall leave it at the second Monday of each month and we can meet with the Departments as we did last year but we will leave out assigning people to go to their meetings.  Mr. Carr stated that they do not have meetings as they used to now that there are no commissioners.  It was stated that Ms. Corrow meets with the Department Heads monthly now.  Mr. Preble asked if it would be possible for us to sit in on these.  Mr. Auger and Mr. Favorite both thought that they are public meetings.  Mr. Auger asked the secretary to ask Ms. Corrow to e-mail the time and place of these

 

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SUMMER SCHEDULE continued:

meetings to the Budget Committee.  Mr. Walenda stated that they are going to say that the Budget Committee is not wanted there.  Mr. Preble felt that we could attend but not speak. 

 

OTHER ISSUES:

            Mr. Favorite asked if it would be possible to vote right after a department presentation as, when the deliberations are at the end, it is often said that a committee member does not remember certain things, etc.  Mr. Favorite’s second item was to let the Committee know that the Selectmen have met with the Selectmen of the surrounding towns (7) to get together on the purchasing of things like fuel, salt, etc. so as to get better pricing.  Mr. Bowie added that it was suggested that a barge be purchased by all of the towns together for the fireworks as they all get to come. 

            As to Mr. Favorite’s suggestion of voting right after a presentation, Mr. Preble stated that it would be nice to know what we shall be discussing ahead of time.  Mr. Carr said that the Budget Committee has to look at the overall picture for the whole town.  He thought that it would be helpful if the Committee received reasons for changes made.  Mr. Auger felt that it would help to get the Dept. Heads goals, strengths and weaknesses, etc. early on. 

Ms. Gordon stated that, as to the fireworks, we funded a fireworks line so could accommodate the joint purchase of a barge.

Mr. Simard stated that, when we received the proposed budget, we were given figures for a possible 3% increase.  This figure later became concrete.  This year, Mr. Simard would like to be given the number in a discussion before it is made public.  He would like the Committee to be told before it shows up in a proposed budget.  Mr. Bowie stated that there is a wage study to be done this year and felt that the figures will stem from it.  Mr. Winn felt that a copy of the minutes should go to the Department Heads and Mr. Auger explained that the confusion was on the part of the Committee, not the Department Heads.  Mr. Carr asked again if we might be able to get the various budgets, etc. the week before they come in to present.  Mr. Simard added that we would like the revenues with the expenditures.  Mr. Bowie stated that Ms. Corrow arrived late in the year and he expects that it shall improve this season.  Mr. Auger stated that we would like the expenditures-to-date and the official budget.

Mr. Thouin asked if any other changes have happened besides the two new cruisers.  No-one seemed to know for sure.  Ms. Pitari asked about the time line for bids.  Mr. Favorite stated that this is with Ms. Corrow right now.  She has been talking with Chief Skantze.  Mr. Preble stated that the Fire Department has purchased a box to go for rescues for $300. and he feels that it was a great buy.

Mr. Auger asked about the Land Use Officer.  Mr. Favorite stated that his name is Matt and he is from Plymouth. 

 

 

 

 

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OTHER ISSUES continued:

Mr. Walenda asked if the Police Chief has been hired and was told that he has not.  Mr. Simard understands that they have had 3 sets of interviews and asked who is on the committee.  Mr. Favorite stated that there are 5 people on the committee and that a lot of applicants are either getting close to retirement or have not enough experience.  Mr. Simard asked if they are clear with the EEOC and was told that they are.  Mr. Bowie asked who is filling in and Mr. Favorite stated that Barry Wingate does not leave until April 27th.  Mr. Walenda heard that we are contemplating the Plymouth police chief.

Ms. Gordon asked what the Selectmen are doing about the request to improve the Downtown as a priority.  Mr. Favorite stated that this is the reason for having the CIP committee.  He added that they have met about the street lights with PSNH.  Mr. Favorite mentioned that there is to be a swap for turning in regular light bulbs for neon light bulbs; this is to be at the transfer station.  Mr. Bowie said that he noticed that there are Christmas lights still on and we are responsible for replacing these.  Mr. Favorite stated that they are to take them down.  Mr. Simard felt that there should be a goal to look for a strategic plan.  Something to improve parking, the traffic flow, the lights, etc.  Ms. Gordon stated that this is in the Master Plan but we need a committee.  Mr. Simard is concerned about the vacancies and broken windows.  Ms. Gordon said that this is the issue.  We need another group to focus on the Downtown.  Maybe we need to hire engineers.  She felt that the CIP is the right direction.  Mr. Favorite stated that the problem is that we have too many couch potatoes.  The only business there that asked about traffic flow, etc. has been the Taste of Italy.  He has attended the Friday night affairs at the Mill and most of the people come from out of town.  Mr. Favorite attended a Work Force Housing meeting and learned that everyone is facing the same problem.  People cannot afford the housing that is available.  Mr. Favorite continued to say that they are working on the bicycle race that is to go through Bristol.  Also, they are finding it hard to get workers for the annual Art show.  Mr. Skantze is being stricter to the Life Safety codes.  Mr. Simard stated that he wanted to take his daughter to a late lunch the other day and nothing was open except for Bristol House of Pizza.  Mr. Walenda stated that, some time ago, the Selectmen went along with Freudenberg’s request to keep out any competition. 

Mr. Bowie stated that, a few years ago, there was a plan to put in antique street lights (Jeff Shackett was behind it).  When it got to the Budget Committee, Chris Stamnas convinced them to shoot it down.  Mr. Favorite stated that we have 10 1947 lights that we can sell on e-bay.  They are working on sidewalk crossings.  Ms. Gordon felt that it was because they needed to do underground work and sidewalks first.  Mr. Bowie felt that it makes sense to do underground work whenever they need to dig.  Mr. Favorite felt that it needs to be engineered.  Ms. Gordon asked if it is the Selectmen’s plan to have the CIP work on this.  Mr. Simard stated that there is $90,000 for the police plan but the plans are not together due to changes, etc.  He wondered if something like this would be appropriate to get for the Downtown.  Mr. Favorite stated that, if Bristol supplied 1/3 of the cost, they would pay 2/3rds.  Ray Burton says that we should emphasize the Newfound River and more money would be available.  Mr. Simard stated that, if you stand by the Whipple House and look down, it makes sense to move the road to straight across the parking lot and have more parking and some green space added to the Square.

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OTHER ISSUES continued:

            Mr. Carr stated that he attended an NLRA (Newfound Lake Regional Association) meeting on the Level of the Lake.  Attendees included the Fish & Game, those who control the water, a lady on lake plants and the UNH Extension Service.  Except for those who control the water stated that the Lake levels should not be up and down too much.  However, a lot of rain that falls on a Friday has nothing done until the next Monday. 

            Mr. Carr also mentioned that, last year, the Selectmen and Budget Committee heard the Department Heads presentations together.  He would like to see more of the Selectmen present at these as there were only a couple last year.

            Mr. Hemmingway asked about the possibility of bringing in a business consultant.  Mr. Favorite stated that Ms. Corrow is looking at one that she had worked with when she was in Plymouth. 

            Mr. Simard asked the status of the mica building and if he has paid his taxes.  Mr. Favorite answered that he is still two years behind.  Ms. Gordon asked if the town didn’t ease parking up for his project (8 condo apartments).  Mr. Favorite stated that they did.  He added that there are 106 parking spaces in the downtown area but people don’t want to walk.  Chief Skantze has a plan for the mica building still.  He added that the owner is now looking to buy another property.

            Mr. Preble asked about the Harris property and if we have parking there.  Mr. Favorite stated that they do not want overnight parking.  The secretary mentioned a plan that she recently found and gave to Angela Mahoney, Assessing, which seems to show an area larger than the Water Street right-of-way which is owned by the town. 

            Mr. Carr mentioned that he remembers the 1936 flood when there was water that covered West Shore Road and there was damage to the old heel factory. 

 

NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be held May 14th at 7:00 p.m.

 

With no other business, P. Simard made a motion, second by C. Pitari, to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Jan Laferriere, secretary