Town of Bristol

Budget Committee Minutes

August 13, 2007

 

 

DRAFT APPROVED ON:    9/10/07

 

ATTENDED:               Archie Auger (Chairman), Skip Bowie, Andrew Hemmingway, 

Ron Preble, Paul Simard, John Thouin, Richard Walenda, Tom

Winn, and Diane Marden (Secretary).

 

ABSENT:                    Dorcas Gordon (Vice Chairman), Joe Denning (Selectmen’s Rep.)

Cathy Pitari, Darla Jaquith, and David Carr.

 

 

OTHERS

PRESENT:                   Maury Campbell (CIP).

 

 

                                    The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m., meeting

was video taped for LRPA.

 

 

JULY 9, 2007 MINUTES

 

Chairman Auger asked members to review the minutes of July 9, 2007, for any error or omissions. Ron Preble stated on page 3, the last paragraph, tenth line, that the word don't should be changed to DONE. Secretary made note. Ron Preble made the motion to accept the minutes as corrected, and Andrew Hemmingway seconded the motion. The MOTION CARRIED. Skip Bowie abstains due to not being present at this meeting. Chairman Auger asked the secretary to make sure all FINAL and DRAFT minutes are posted to the website.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

Chairman Auger passed around a Budget Finance Workshop brochure for members of the Budget Committee to look review. Mr. Auger stated should anyone wish to attend to give that information to the secretary and she will forward the information to the Town Manager.

 

A memo from the Town Manger relative to a date and time change to a meeting already passed was reviewed by all members. Chairman Auger asked the secretary to have all memo’s from the Town Manager forwarded via email to all members in the future.

 

 

CORRESPONDENCE CONTINUED

Chairman Auger stated the Budget Committee had received a Grants and Assistance Booklet for committee use. Should anyone need to reference it in the future it, will be held in a file with the secretary.

 

CIP REPRESENTATIVE

 

Chairman Auger stated tonight the committee has a representative from the CIP committee. Mr. Auger explained Dan Paradis was supposed to attend to discuss this subject but is not present. Mr. Auger introduced Maury Campbell to the committee as the CIP representative who will be addressing the committee this evening.

 

Mr. Campbell stated the CIP became authorized and started sometime in 1986 that it really did not get going for one reason or anther. Mr. Campbell stated currently the CIP Committee is seeking historic information pertaining to previous budget years specifically the years' 1998-2006, and was inquiring as how to obtain this information. Chairman Auger stated he would suggest going to the Library or Town Offices to view prior Town Reports keeping in mind that the current Town Report reflects the previous year's information. Mr. Auger explained that the breakdowns in the Town Reports reflect a 1000 line budget for each year, and regular expenses and purchases can be found there. He also suggested that Mr. Campbell look at previous Warrant Articles as well for big purchase items. Chairman Auger stated approximately 3 years ago the Budget Committee had done a report on the needs of the Town, including the Fire, Police, and Library needs stating that may also be helpful. Mr. Bowie suggested speaking with David Carr as he has a lot of information pertaining to past budget issues. Mr. Campbell stated he would do so.

 

Mr. Campbell stated the CIP Committee is also trying to develop brainstorming lists from individuals to see what they would like to see done in Bristol. He explained he would like to see a list from the Budget Committee and/or the Town Manager by the end of August 2007, in order to keep on schedule. Explaining that the CIP Committee has a meeting with Elizabeth Corrow (Town Manager), on August 28th.  Mr. Campbell explained the CIP is eager to work with various groups within the Town of Bristol. Mr. Bowie suggested that Mr. Campbell get his feet wet this year, by setting a project or schedule, before taking any action. Explaining  there is a short amount of time remaining in the schedule complete any large project. Chairman Auger stated the Town Manager will look at CIP issues in September and the Budget Committee in December 2007. Mr. Campbell stated the CIP will work within the time constraints and do the very best that they can.

 

Chairman Auger suggested to Mr. Campbell to become familiar with the state laws RSA:32 Budget Committee Law, and RSA:37 and 674 or 676 of the Planning Board Law. He explained he could obtain this information at the State of NH  web site under the Laws and Administrative Rules. Mr. Campbell thanked the Chairman for this very helpful information.

 

 

CIP REPRESENTATIVE CONTINUED

Chairman Auger asked committee members if they had any questions or suggestions for Mr. Campbell. Paul Simard suggested that he look at needs' verses wants when meeting with the departments, look at the last 20 year's population growth,  per capita income growth, costs verses' benefits, the aging population, and the growth in the increased tax rates over the past 20 years. Mr. Simard suggested looking at these things for what the community can afford, and what can the community get the biggest bang out of for their buck. He stated he would like to really know that the CIP is looking at these things to find out what is best for the tax payers. Mr. Simard thanked Mr. Campbell for coming this evening.

 

Andrew Hemmingway asked if Mr. Campbell was looking for ideas about things that could be done within town, or looking for ideas to generate revenue for the town? Mr. Campbell stated some of these issues have been discussed, but some would require assurance. Mr. Hemminway continued by saying what about revenues that could be gained by putting in town docks. There may be a possibility of selling or town owned  properties, or leasing some land to a company for the purpose of keeping down the tax rate. Mr. Campbell stated he agreed and they had been considering such issues. He stated CIP needs the input of different people and groups from within the community. Mr. Campbell stated it would be nice to re-due the downtown, but at this point it is not practical or even feasible in the near future. The buildings need to be brought up to code etc, in order for these things to happen, but the CIP group does welcome all kinds of thoughts pertaining to Brisol’s future.

 

Richard Walenda stated the Selectmen want to tax everyone to death, and they do not seem interested in doing things the right way. Mr. Campbell stated hopefully these up coming discussions will fit in with the current master plan. Ron Preble asked if the CIP will be working with the Planning Board on these issues. Mr. Campbell stated they would be, but ultimately they will be looking at the CIP for its recommendations. Mr. Campbell stated it will be important to take out the personal opinions in these discussions, and taking what is important and valid ideas. He stated he is only a part of the advisory group. Explaining at this point, the group is just starting to collect data. Each member of the group is working with specific groups within the community, and bringing the information back to the entire group for review. Chairman Auger thanked Mr. Campbell for coming stating the next Budget Committee meeting will be held on Monday, September 10, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in Town Offices. Mr. Auger invited Mr. Campbell to contact him should he need to be placed on the agenda, and in the meantime Budget Committee members would compile a list of ideas emailing them to Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell exited the meeting.

 

JULY 2007 BUDGET REVIEW

 

The Budget Committee reviewed the July 2007 Budget sheets. Chairman Auger took questions from members making notes as to what to discuss with Elizabeth Corrow (Town Manger), as she could not be present at this meeting. The following line items were briefly discussed:

 

           

JULY 2007 BUDGET REVIEW CONTINUED

01-4155-260               Workers Compensation

            01-4324-366               Solid Waste Co-Op seems to be low?

 

A question was asked relative to he Committee  receiving the Police and Fire Department Mileage?

           

01-4521-120               Beach Attendants is over budget.

Any change to Salaries or have there been additional attendants hired?

            01-4711-986               Fire Department - What is the difference?

Did the old truck sell and were the funds rolled into the line item or did they receive a credit for the old truck?

            01-4902-755               Fire Energy Upgrade - Has this been completed now?

 

JULY 2007 REVENUES REVIEW

 

            01-3120-1000             Land Use Permit Fees -Has increased.

The fee schedule has changed and the rates have increased. Now they are based on flat fee plus the square footage.

01-3401-255               Ambulance Membership Fees - What times of the year are

Memberships due, as the line item is showing zero at this time. Ron Preble asked if the Budget Committee has received a list of  paying members and wanted to know at what point is it not considered mutual aid?

 

2008 PROPOSED BUDGET COMMITTEE SCHEDULE

 

Chairman Auger stated he has prepared a 2008 Proposed Budget Committee schedule that is similar to last years. He stated he does not feel this schedule will interfere with the Town Managers schedule, and should keep everything on track.

 

Mr. Bowie stated he does not see the Police Department listed on the proposed schedule. Chairman Auger instructed members to place the Police Department on the schedule for December 3.  Instructing them to look at the proposed schedule for anything that may have been missed or that may  need to be changed, stating the schedule did not need to be set tonight. Auger asked everyone to review Chapter 32, section 16 of the Budget Committee Law, and 32:5 as to the responsibilities and authority of the budget committee. All departments have the responsibility of reporting data and requested budgets one week prior to the budget committee meeting with the Budget Committee. Should anyone find any discrepancies in the schedule these concerns should be emailed to the chairman or brought up for discussion at the September 2007 meeting.

 

 

           

2008 PROPOSED BUDGET COMMITTEE SCHEDULE CONTINUED

Paul Simard stated at the last Budget Committee meeting he had some difficulty understanding the Town Manager’s interpretation of the budget process. Chairman Auger stated the Budget Committee will ask departments for their original budget as submitted to the Town Manager, to see what kinds of changes were made to better understand the Town Managers position. Mr. Walenda stated he did not expect the budget to be down, but could expect an increase. Chairman Auger stated administrative costs for the Town of Bristol should be looked at carefully this year. Mr. Simard asked members to look at this years expenditures, explaining that it is obvious that many have not yet been expended. He suggested looking at the expenditures carefully this year, as it will give the committee a guideline to the actual figures  added in last year. He explained the committee should take a good hard look at them in the upcoming budget.

 

OTHER DISCUSSION

 

Chairman Auger stated that last week the Budget Committee had been invited to attend the Selectmen’s meeting. Auger stated that the Selectmen wanted to know what they could do to assist the Budget Committee in 2007 budget process. Chairman Auger asked for comment from other members who attended the meeting. Andrew Hemmingway stated he felt the meeting was very cordial, open, and that he felt they really wanted to work and collaborate with the Budget Committee. Mr. Hemmingway stated they were very open to our suggestions, as we would welcome any from them. John Thouin stated they were not in agreement with everything but for the most part everyone was on the same page.

 

Chairman Auger stated everyone should be thinking about their ideas for the CIP Committee, send their list to the chairman who will compile the list and forward it to Maury Campbell. Everyone discussed some of their ideas, and the chairman asked them to put them in writing.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Paul Simard made the motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Ron Preble seconded the motion. All members present agreed. THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

The next meeting of the Bristol Budget Committee will be held on Monday, September 10, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the Bristol Town Offices.