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Town of Bristol

Budget Committee Minutes

January 14, 2008

APPROVED ON: 1/21/08, as amended & Reopened and amended on 1/28/08

ATTENDED: Archie Auger (Chairman), Dorcas Gordon (Vice Chairman), Skip

Bowie, Ron Preble, Richard Walenda, David Carr, Andrew

Hemmingway, Tom Winn, Jon Thouin, Catherine

Pitari, Joe Denning (Selectmen’s Rep) and Diane Marden

(Secretary).

ABSENT: Paul Simard and Joe Denning were not present at this meeting.

There remains one vacant position on the committee.

OTHERS PRESENT: Elizabeth Corrow (Town Manager), Steve Favorite

(Selectmen), Lt. Lewis (BPD), Chief Clark (BPD), Chief

Skantze (BFD), Bruce Van Derven (Selectmen), Paul

Fraser (Selectmen), and Rick Alpers (Selectmen). There

were also other observers in the audience from the Fire Department.

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m., and the meeting

was video taped for LRPA.

Minutes of January 7, 2008

Dorcas Gordon made the motion to accept the minutes of January 7, 2008. Andrew Hemmingway seconded the motion. Chairman Auger asked for discussion, omissions, or changes to the minutes. Changes were made to page 1 (spelt to spelled), page 2 (who to which and capital to capita), page 5 (Lake Auto to Lake Street Auto), page 6 (Monica Bare to Monic Bear), and page 8 (Parity to Paradis and Dorcus to Dorcas), page The minutes of January 7, 2008 were accepted with the above amendments. MOTION CARRIED.

BOS Budget and Known Money Articles

Town Manager, Elizabeth Corrow explained there have not been a lot of changes to the Budget some things have slightly increased or slightly decreased but the majority of the budget did not change. Ms. Corrow handed out the budget packets explaining she would go over the individual line items that have had changes within each Departmental Budget.

Executive Office

Ms. Corrow stated line item 01-4130-331 entitled EX Telephone & Internet Service has slightly increased based on the 1 year contract had expired, and now we must have a year to year support for these services. Ms. Corrow stated line item 01-4130-550 entitled EX Advertising/Printing also increased because the actual 2007 had an increase so this line item has been changed to $6,500. Ms. Corrow explained there is also an increase in line item 01-4130-560 entitled EX Meetings/Memberships/Training which is based on current memberships and regional training. Ms. Corrow stated line item 01-4130-810 entitled EX New Equipment was slightly cut by the BOS and is now $1,511 less than she had requested last year. Ms. Corrow stated in this line item they were looking for two (2) New Computers for the Assessing Clerk, and one for the Assessor. The next computer to be replaced will be the Planning and Zoning Secretary’s computer. We do anticipate purchasing a couple of microphones, some sort of sound system to improve the taping of the meetings.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions from the budget committee members. Rich Walenda asked why the Town Manager salary had increased? Ms. Corrow stated all the salaries in the budget have been calculated for the upcoming year. Ms. Corrow stated her salary is based on a contract from October to October stating in her contract she has a 4% increase that occurs part way through the year. Chairman Auger commented that computers have gone done in price, and asked if any of the $5,097 includes software or other things? Ms. Corrow stated software is included, a first year warranty, installation, and the transfer of files. Ms. Corrow explained the computers being replaced also run powerful software such as BMSI and CAMA systems. Mr. Auger stated so the line item is not just the computers it is also the software, and this may raise some eyebrows based on it not being clearly identified as computers and software. Ms. Corrow thanked Mr. Auger for pointing that out.

Office of Town Clerk

Town Manager Corrow explained there have been no changes made to the Town Clerk’s budget since their presentation at the budget committee meeting. Chairman Auger asked if anyone from the budget committee had any questions relative to the Town Clerks Budget?

Financial Administration

Ms. Corrow explained under the Financial Administration Budget nothing has changed since they too had presented their budget. Ms. Corrow explained some of the items in this budget are also relative to the Tax Collector and Town Clerk’s Office stating they are clearly marked as you look down them. Chairman Auger asked for questions from budget committee members?

Financial Administration Continued

Andrew Hemmingway asked why line item 01-4150-121 entitled Temp. Assessing Clerk is not funded this year opposed to last year? Ms. Corrow stated some things happened this year that was not anticipated such as an employee had taken ill. Then we used the line item to pay an employee to cover that persons position while out sick. Dorcas Gordon asked if the ballot machine was placed under Capital Items? Ms. Corrow explained it was placed under the Capital Items.

Property Reappraisal

Town Manager, Corrow stated the additions to this budget consist of the Land Use Enforcement Officer line item 01-4152-190 was added last year and the Clerk (shared) line item 01-4152-195 was added this year. The Clerks position is 20 hours per week. A part time person covers the office a couple days per week, and works for the Fire Department the other days as a part time employee. This helps alleviate problems within the office, and it is extremely helpful. Jon Thouin asked if this person works 20 hours for the Fire Department and 20 hours in this position does it constitute a full time position? Ms. Corrow stated it does, but at this time she feels the Clerk position does not warrant a full time position on its own. It is a lot easier to keep a shared position between departments, than to keep someone part time. Chairman Auger stated that in 2007 we had budget $174,000, and we did not come close to spending that. Ms. Corrow explained that is because we did not have a Land Use Enforcement Officer last year until part way through the year. Mr. Auger stated he understands that explaining that it may be necessary to speak about that when presenting it to taxpayers. Ms. Corrow stated that was an excellent point.

Legal

Andrew Hemmingway asked Ms. Corrow why line item 01-4153-320 entitled Legal General had increased by $1,000 over last years actual? Ms. Corrow explained she does have something that may be a pending litigation, but should we need it will be there. Dorcas Gordon asked if it made better sense to group the line items together under Legal General? Ms. Corrow stated either way is fine.

Personnel Administration

Town Manager, Corrow stated line item 01-4155-265 entitled Employee Drug Testing Program she would like to implement throughout all departments. Ms. Corrow explained initially it was mandatory of the water, sewer, and highway departments because they hold CDL licenses. Ms. Corrow explained it has been listed in this budget so the entire town can come aboard and be tested. Ms. Corrow handed out an information sheet explaining how drug and alcohol abuse can effect the workplace.

Personnel Administration Continued

Chairman Auger asked if this has been some sort of a problem in the past. Ms. Corrow stated not that I know of, but it seems to make sense to test everyone. Joe Denning stated there have been problems in the past many years ago with these types of things. David Carr asked if there are any discounts available in insurance rates for implementing such a program? Ms. Corrow stated she did not know but thought that it was an excellent question. Richard Walenda asked who would be controlling the testing? Ms. Corrow stated an independent company will be doing the testing. Selectmen Van Derven stated it is more of a liability without the program than with it.

Ms. Corrow moved onto line item 01-4155-270 entitled Downtown/Economic Development Program. Ms. Corrow handed a handout to the Budget Committee members explaining the role of the person who would fill this position. Ms. Corrow continued explaining they want to start working on the downtown area not only lighting, layout and cosmetic things but to bring people into the downtown area. Ms. Corrow stated she did look into a Main Street Program for the downtown and found Bristol is just not ready for that at this point. Ms. Corrow stated they wanted to start small and by doing something. So they decided to bring in businesses to offset the costs of Old Home Day, start a Summer Series Concert Program, and do all of this through a sponsorship program. Ms. Corrow stated originally Old Home Day had been run through the TCC books, and it should really be on the Towns Books. So she has included funding here to hire a person to work on these things who can find funding, sponsorships, who can set up programming, and Old Home Day events. Ms. Corrow stated this will offset the costs associated with Old Home Day, and she hopes that the account will grow bringing more to the community by promoting the community. Ms. Corrow explained it is not a lot of hours but it is a start at $20,000.

Ms. Corrow stated this ties in with the next line that would be to cost share a Grant Writer with the Town of Hill. Ms. Corrow explained the cost of the grant writer will be shared 50/50 with Hill, and allow both communities to benefit from it by looking at projects within each community. This person could also work with the Downtown/Economic Development Program. Andrew Hemmingway asked how you measure the effectiveness of a Grant Writer? Ms. Corrow stated that is a good question. Mr. Denning explained after the first project the Grant Writer should be paid for, and if not they are not doing their job. Mr. Denning explained it is really not a difficult process as it is time consuming, and knowing the job. Mr. Hemmingway asked if they were paid by commission? Mr. Denning stated usually by the job.

Planning Board and Zoning Board

Town Manager Corrow stated the Planning Board and Zoning Board do not have a lot of changes within their budgets. Ms. Corrow stated the Planning Board did spend over the budget amount this year on line item 01-4191-320 entitled PB Legal, and did increase line item 01-4191-620 & 625 entitled PB Office Supplies and PB Postage.

Planning Board and Zoning Board Continued

ZBA wanted to have line item 01-4192-812 entitled Meeting/Memberships that they did not have last year otherwise this budget remained the same.

Tax Map

Elizabeth Corrow explained that line item 01-4193-390 entitled Tax Map Update Fee was not expended this year due to an employee illness, but was supposed to be used to update the tax maps using 911 data. Ms. Corrow explained these funds were kept in the budget to get this done this year. Chairman Auger asked if these are done by Cartographic’s? Ms. Corrow stated that is correct. Mr. Auger asked if anyone had any questions on the Tax Map account? No questions were asked.

General Government Building

Town Manager Corrow stated line item 01-4194-190 entitled GGB Radio Site budget is new this year. Ms. Corrow explained in the past there has been a little bit of money in this account, but this year we had someone going to the site to charge batteries, to make sure it is plowed, and cleaned out. Ms. Corrow continued to say that $3,000 of this is for that person's wages, and the rest consists of maintenance, batteries, chargers, gas, oil, and generator upgrade. Ms. Corrow explained they have been looking at other options for the site whether or not there should be a cell tower on that site in order to upgrade the facility. Ms. Corrow stated until those things are worked out this is a very small budget to keep the site maintained. Catherine Pitari asked if the site is maintained weekly? Ms. Corrow responded stating it is visited at least once weekly currently. Skip Bowie asked why line item 01-4194-111 entitled GGB Maintenance Custodian has decreased? Ms. Corrow explained that person is shared by a few departments such as in Town Office’s, plowing during the winter months, working at Kelley Park in the summer months, and the position is kept at 34 hours in order to keep the position part time. Ms. Corrow stated currently the situation is working out well.

Andrew Hemmingway asked why 15 of the 18 line items in the GGB budget were under the actual in the 2007 budget, and he would like to know why they have been almost doubled in the 2008 proposed budget? Ms. Corrow explained that last year the gentleman who was in the position of Maintenance Custodian half way through the year had an accident and was not working. This person then had another accident, and during this time frame we waited for him to return to work. During this large chunk of time, no one was doing the work, so the budget line item did not get used up. We then decided to use another employee and share his duties with another position to get the job done. Ms. Corrow stated Electricity was under but Heating was over slightly.

General Government Building Continued

Town Manager Corrow stated line items 01-4194-431 GGB Radio Site Maintenance and line item 01-4194-432 GGB Safety Committee Repairs both have funds carried over from the previous year because the work has not been done or completed. Ms. Corrow stated anything that has been purchased in the month of December 2007 is still outstanding, and she is waiting for the bills to come in so they can be expended. Mr. Hemmingway asked about line item 01-4194-815 entitled Public Communications wondering why the large increase? Ms. Corrow explained that is where most of the increase is in this budget, but it is offset by 100% Franchise Fee Revenue.

Public Communications line item 01-4194-815 Discussion Continued under

General Government Buildings

Ms. Corrow explained the franchise fee was adopted by the Board of Selectmen, and the revenues from this does offset 100% of these costs. Otherwise, it would be a decrease in this section of the budget. Jon Thouin asked what exactly is the Franchise Fee? Ms. Corrow explained Bristol has been paying $7,119.44 through general taxation to Lakes Region Public Access to broadcast our committee meetings. Instead of continuing to pay that through the budget we are now adopting a franchise fee that is applied to the cable television subscriber's bill. Ms. Corrow stated we had adopted a 5% franchise fee that is directly collected from those having cable television (not internet), and then Metrocast Cablevision every quarter mails us a check that is then deposited. Ms. Corrow stated the funds are then gross appropriated in order to spend the funds. We are then trying to upgrade some of our equipment with these funds, and trying to fund live broadcasting with these funds.

Ms. Corrow continued explaining instead of going through Lakes Region Public Access for this service and trying to get into a congested program schedule. We would then do the broadcasting ourselves in house. Ms. Corrow explained this opens up a large variety of things that can be done such as controlling our own program times, and also opens the possibility of doing some fund raising with the Downtown Economic person she spoke of earlier, as well as bringing in revenue from other communities. The ideas are endless and a variety of things can be done once in place. The more money raised the more money that can be reinvested. Skip Bowie stated he has a problem with this because the tax payer has no say in this franchise fee? Ms. Corrow stated a public meeting was held, and not everyone has cable television so they are paying through taxation. Ms. Corrow stated this way it goes on the cable bill, and allows people to become involved through the Local Public Access station.

Chairman Auger commented that the maximum rate the town has to cover is 5%, and he is wondering why a lower percentage was not chosen? Ms. Corrow stated they ran the numbers to all the varied percentages, and then looked at what it would cost to run our own programming. There were lots of reasons why the 5% was chosen because first the percentage can only be changed a couple of times during the life of the contract.

Public Communications line item 01-4194-815 Discussion

General Government Building Continued

Changing the Franchise Fee more than once, we felt would upset the taxpayers, so we chose the percentage that was needed to fund our own programming. Ms. Corrow stated there are other ways to make revenue from using our own system. Rather than changing the rate every time we needed too to implement something new, we chose the 5%. This allows us to fund the equipment, set up live broadcasting, set up programming, and to do some additional work in the audio of the programming. Bruce Van Derven explained the initial costs may seem to be high, but in the long run the revenue could be substantial. Once the revenue begins to accumulate it will be an asset to the community.

Chairman Auger asked if anyone has looked at what it would cost to start up using general taxation rather than using a franchise fee? Ms. Corrow stated she does know the conversion, but that it seemed to make more sense raising the funds through the franchise fee rather than general taxation. Mr. Van Derven stated either way it is to better the community. Mr. Auger stated his point is to make sure what ever is being paid is coming out of individuals of the town equally rather than through select groups. Andrew Hemmingway stated that long term it will generate revenues from other communities, and maybe then the franchise fee could be decreased. The overall benefit to the community outweighs the cost. Mr. Auger asked the Board of Selectmen to look at this more closely to make sure it comes in at the least cost to the taxpayers. Richard Walenda stated Bristol needs to get away from helping other communities. Ms. Corrow stated the letter has already gone out, and she believes they are already collecting the funds. Andrew Hemmingway commented that he is excited about this, and thinks that is a great idea.

Budget Committee took a 2 minute recess.

Cemeteries

Town Manager Corrow stated the Cemetery Trustees are actually requesting $1,500 so that someone can mow the cemeteries. Ms. Corrow asked if that worked out all right. Chairman Auger stated it did work out for the better. The line item 01-4195-650 entitled Town Cemeteries Appropriation needed to be increased from $750 to the requested $1,500. Ms. Corrow stated that Homeland Cemetery was also funded this year.

Insurance

Town Manager Corrow explained that line item 01-4196-480 entitled INS Property/Liability has increased. Ms. Corrow stated $2,000 is kept in the account as a contingency because of the $1,000 deductible. Andrew Hemmingway commented that the deductible is extremely low, explaining the higher the deductible the lower the plan. This is a pretty good municipal plan.

Regional Associations

Ms. Corrow explained these line items were level funded at the requested amounts.

Other General Government

Richard Walenda asked what happened to the money that was to go back into the general fund. Ms. Corrow stated that did go back to the fund, and was not used.

Police Department

Chairman Auger stated relative to the next few budgets there are a lot of salaries involved, and he would like to skip over the salaries at this time, and just go over the line items. Ms. Corrow stated the only thing that changed within the Police Department Budget was line item 01-4210-810 entitled PD New Equipment in which the camera was cut. They were able to buy the camera with funds available this year.

Fire Department

Ms. Corrow reviewed the Fire Department Budget with the Budget Committee. Ms. Corrow stated after the last budget committee meeting the Board of Selectmen did have a chance to go back and cut some items from the budget. Ms. Corrow explained the Selectmen cut $6,600 from line item 01-4220-190 entitled FD Call Payroll, line item 01-4220-293 entitled FD Uniforms was cut by $1,500, and line item 01-4220-345 FD Computer Expense was cut by $2,000. These items were cut in order to implement the pay study this year by increasing the salaries.

Dorcas Gordon stated it looks as if the Board of Selectmen asked for additional funds for training, and then it appears to be cut? Ms. Corrow stated the initial request was higher, then it was cut, then juggled again to accommodate the salaries, and now is slightly increased. David Carr asked why wages for 2007 were over by $20,000? Ms. Corrow explained there was a person who was out for an extended period of time, and the overtime was used towards filling in the position.

Chairman Auger asked why the Fire Department needs double the amount in training this year? Chief Skantze explained that three (3) employees have come to him for additional training certifications, and this is an approximation of the cost for that training, and covers the monthly training of all department employees. David Carr asked if these individuals replace others or if they are additional employees? Chief Skantze stated the goal of the department is to bring the numbers up to thirty (30) call people. Mr. Carr stated the department has had a 21% increase in calls and asked why the department would possibly need to grow more than that? Chief Skantze commented that the department has grown over the past ten (10) years, not only in the number of calls, but the number of employees needed to operate its daily functions. Richard Walenda commented that the department needs to stop serving other towns.

Fire Department Continued

Ms. Corrow stated other lines that were cut include line item 01-4220-390 entitled FD Alarm was cut by $1,000, line item 01-42200-391 entitled FD Training was cut by $2,000, 01-4220-4432 entitled FD Station Maintenance was cut $1,500, line item 01-4220-561 entitled FD Fire Codes & Standards by $100, line item 01-4220-625 entitled FD Postage was cut by $100, and line item 01-4220-668 FD Tires was cut by $1,000. Total of all cuts made since the last budget hand out was $93,095, if you look at budgeted column comparing it to the selectmen’s column there have been significant cuts made to the Fire Department.

Forestry

Town Manager Corrow stated no changes were made to the Forestry Budget.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Forestry Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Crossing Guards

Town Manager Corrow stated no changes were made to the Crossing Guards Budget.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Crossing Guards Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Emergency Management

Town Manager Corrow stated no changes were made to the Emergency Management Budget. Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Emergency Management Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Highway Department

Town Manager Corrow stated no changes were made to the Highway Department Budget. Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Highway Department Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Highway Projects

Town Manager Corrow stated the Highway Projects line items were cut. Ms. Corrow explained 01-4312-390 entitled Resurfacing Road was cut by $8,078, and line item 01-4312-392 entitled Road Reconstruction was cut by $26,717. The Road Reconstruction of Baton Road, Mountain Road, and Profile Falls was scheduled to be paved but were cut instead. Ms. Corrow explained the Department Head made the choice between his truck and paving these roads. Ms. Corrow explained he chose to get the truck as the roads could wait, because he did not want to go outside the boundaries of his vehicle replacement schedule.

Streets and Bridges

Town Manager Corrow stated no changes were made to the Streets and Bridges Budget.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Streets and Bridges Budget? No questions were asked by committee members. Ms. Corrow commented that she probably should have put a bit more money in this line item primarily because the line item was over spent this year.

Rubbish Disposal

Town Manager Corrow stated no changes were made to the Rubbish Disposal Budget.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Rubbish Disposal Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Fire Betterment

Town Manager Corrow stated no changes were made to the Fire Betterment Budget.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Fire Betterment Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Health

Town Manager Corrow stated that some funds were added to line item 01-4411-690 entitled Health Officer Expenses is for Water Testing bringing this line item to $200. Chairman Auger asked for questions on this budget? No comments or questions were asked.

Humane Society

Ms. Corrow stated no changes were made to the Humane Society Budget.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Humane Society Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Health Agencies

Ms. Corrow stated explained the changes to Health Agencies consisted of line item 01-4415-354 entitled NH Association for the Blind which a new request this year and was not funded, and line item 01-4415-356 entitled the American Red Cross that was also a new request that the Selectmen decided to fund. Ms. Corrow stated we saw a direct benefit to giving to the American Red Cross verses the NH Association for the Blind.

Welfare Administration

No changes were discussed.

Welfare Services

Town Manager Corrow explained this budget has increased due to the food line item, and fuel. Ms. Corrow stated this was the only changes in this Budget. Chairman Auger asked for questions, no questions were asked by Budget Committee Members.

Recreation

Ms. Corrow stated there are no changes this year to the Recreation Budget.

Beaches

Ms. Corrow stated the Beach attendants received some extra hours this year. Other than that there are no changes.

Kelley Park

Ms. Corrow stated no changes were made to the Kelley Park Budget.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Kelley Park Budget? No questions were asked by committee members.

Library

Town Manager Corrow stated the Library Budget is completed and done by the Trustees explaining it is as it was when they had presented the budget to the committee.

Patriotic

Ms. Corrow stated this is the Budget where she had spoken about the Downtown Economic Program funds that would come from two of these accounts in these line items. These would include Old Home Day, and Summer Concert Series. Chairman Auger asked if any bands have been contacted as of yet? Ms. Corrow stated a lot can be spent on bands or even a little. Mr. Auger suggested contacting some military bands that would hold these events free to the public. Ms. Corrow agreed that there are definitely some good military bands that may be available for events such as this.

Conservation Commission

Ms. Corrow stated their budget went down from last year, but otherwise the budget is the same.

Historic District Commission

Ms. Corrow stated they wish to attend more meetings and training events. There is a carry over on for some signs that did not get completed this year, but otherwise the budget remains the same.

Social Services

Town Manager, Corrow stated line item 01-4652-571 entitled LR Community Services Council was new this year, and it was not given a budget.

Social Service Continued

Ms. Corrow explained line item 01-4652-575 entitled GENESIS was level funded, line item 01-4652-577 entitled CADY was decreased by $2,000, and line item 01-4652-578 entitled Mid State Health was decreased by $1,000. Chairman Auger stated LR Community Services Council was not funded? Ms. Corrow stated it was not funded basically because not much is known about them. Rick Alpers stated Mid State Health is the one that confused him, because it is the first time we have had a doctor's office make a request like this. Selectmen Alpers stated it seems they would be required to do a certain amount of probono work each year.

Principle L/T Debt

Town Manager Corrow stated the new items in the budget this year are line item 01-4711-989 entitled Central Street Bond Payment and line item 01-4711-990 USDA Rural Development Loan (water/sewer). Dave Carr asked how many years the town has to pay on the Rural Development loan? Ms. Corrow stated thirty (30).

Interest L/T Debt

Ms. Corrow stated if there is a principle payment then an interest payment usually coincides with the loan. Chairman Auger stated the more items added to principle under the long term debt, the more we pay out in interest.

Debt Service

This item was not discussed.

Grants

Ms. Corrow stated once we get the grant writer going hopefully these lines will contain funds. Everyone chuckled.

Capital Projects

Town Manager, Corrow stated line item 01-4901-720 entitled Borough Road Bridge (Town Match $110,000) explained everything had to be gross appropriated for. Ms. Corrow stated the town of Bristol’s share is $1,100,000, and that means $110,000 is our tax rate impact although the entire amount must be gross appropriated.

Ms. Corrow stated line item 01-4901-737 entitled Central Street Bridge Construction has increased because the bids came in higher than expected. This line item is $20,000 that is Bristol’s share of the project, and New Hampton is doing the same.

Town Manager, Elizabeth Corrow discussed line item 01-4901-765 entitled Town Inventory -GASB34 explaining it is to do a fixed inventory of the town's assets allowing them to use the information on financial statements. This amount is for $12,000. Chairman Auger asked who would be doing this service? Ms. Corrow stated she would hire someone to do the inventory. Mr. Auger stated the school was also going to be going through this process and he was wondering if any thought had been given to trying to get some sort of a discount. Ms. Corrow stated this has not been discussed but is a great idea.

Ms. Corrow stated that line item 01-4901-766 entitled Smith River Grant (Town Match $60,750) consists of a gross appropriation of $245,000. Ms. Corrow explained line item 01-4901-768 entitled Transfer Station Improvements is to start redesigning the Transfer Station for more recycling efforts. Ms. Corrow stated there is a recycling committee who has been working on that. Richard Walenda asked if the intention was to increase recycling in copper, brass, aluminum, steel, and items of this sort? Ms. Corrow stated she does believe the Recycling Committee is trying to address these issues. Andrew Hemmingway stated it is a great idea, but currently they need the space to do so.

Ms. Corrow reviewed line item 01-4901-769 entitled Police Building & Historic Town Hall Project (100,000 yr. #1 and $200,000 bond pmt. Yr. #2) which was present last week and this too is the gross appropriation. Ms. Corrow stated she has contacted Rural Development to try to get a lower interest loan. This would be spread over thirty years.

Town Manager, Corrow explained that line item 01-4901-770 entitled Fiscal Year Change was not approved by the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Corrow stated too many things need attention, so this item was put off this year. Ms. Corrow stated line item 01-4901-771 entitled Downtown Improvements Plan is $10,000 that is to create a layout. Dan Paradis is working on getting funding for a Design Cherrette by utilizing a Plan NH Grant. Ms. Corrow stated they are looking at getting a special consideration through Rural Development to add to this fund to move the project along.

Ms. Corrow stated line item 01-4901-772 entitled Library Building Improvements was cut back to $30,000. This is meant to be set aside for future years, but this year it is there to do some of the work.

Capital Equipment

Ms. Corrow explained that line item 01-4902-760 entitled Police Cruiser has been cut by the cost of one (1) police cruiser $28,000. Line item 01-4902-750 entitled Police Radar Trailer is a 50/50 grant that is only costing the town $7,000. Ms. Corrow explained line item 01-4902-770 entitled Ballot Counting Machine requested by the Tax Collector. Catherine Pitari made the comment that the machine will now cost $1,000 more than it would have last year had we approved it at that time.

Town Manager, Corrow stated line item 01-4902-771 entitled Highway 6 wheeler Truck is a $125,000 piece of equipment, but the cost will be spread out over two (2) years. Ms. Corrow stated line item 01-4902-774 entitled Fire Department Breathing Apparatus has been cut from 6 units to 3 units. Ms. Corrow explained that line item 01-4902-775 entitled Kelley Park Tractor was cut because we would like to see them work on the fields and hold off on the tractor.

Ms. Corrow reviewed line item 01-4902-765 entitled Fire Department Ladder Truck Replacement is also gross appropriated, but will not effect the tax rate this year. Ms. Corrow stated it has not been finalized yet as to it being a lease payment or bond payment, but it is going to be over the course of five (5) years. Ms. Corrow stating it looks as if the most desirable price will be over a leased purchase. Andrew Hemmingway asked why the Fire Department is going from a 100’ ladder truck to a 75’ ladder? Ms. Corrow stated it allowed them to save some money, while at the same time getting the equipment they need. Chief Skantze stated it will only change the way the position the vehicle at the scene of a fire. Ms. Corrow stated under line item 01-4902-766 entitled Tools and Equipment Fire Department New Purchase was cut to $11,100. Dave Carr asked why these items were shifted from the Operating Budget to the Capital Equipment? Ms. Corrow stated it was changed over based on CIP criteria of having items' $2,500 or over under the Capital Equipment as opposed to in the Operating Budget.

Ms. Corrow explained that line item 01-4902-758 entitled Fire Department Radio Equipment was cut back to $10,540.

Capital Reserves

Town Manager, Corrow stated under line item 01-4915-710 entitled Sewer to Lake Reserve these funds are seen every other year, and have just been moved under this item for accounting purposes to set it aside. Jon Thouin asked if the water/sewer tank project has been postponed? Ms. Corrow stated the tank was postponed at this time.

General Fund Totals

Ms. Corrow explained the total in the general fund is $4,817,219 although the gross appropriation is $9,611.349. Ms. Corrow stated that is so all the projects are appropriated properly including anything that has a financial impact.

General Fund Totals Continued Discussion

Chairman Auger asked for any questions on the bottom line of the budget? Ms. Corrow explained the proposed budget has a projected $1.27 is the estimated impact to the towns tax rate that was level funded last year. The municipal portion was flat lined at $4.96 per thousand.

Chairman Auger asked what part of the salaries consumes that portion of the budget increase? Ms. Corrow stated that $149,587 is the portion consumed by salaries and FICA and Medicare is included in this figure.

Town Manager, Corrow stated some of the benefits this year went down depending on the employee within certain departments. Ms. Corrow stated the cost of medical did go down this year. Ms. Corrow stated everything being proposed this year is in the Budget, and the Board of Selectmen have no additional things to add to the Budget. Chairman Auger asked which items will be in Warrant Articles? Ms. Corrow stated she could not tell exactly which items will be in each Warrant Articles as they have not been written yet. Ms. Corrow stated they will work on Warrant Articles just as soon as they can and get them to the Budget Committee, but she can say they will be separate from the operating budget. Ms. Corrow stated she is not aware of any Petition Warrant Articles, but there will be nothing further from the Board of Selectmen.

Water/Sewer Budgets

Ms. Corrow stated no changes were made to the Water/Sewer Budgets.

Chairman Auger asked for any questions relative to the Water/Sewer Budgets? No questions were asked by committee members.

Salaries

Chairman Auger wanted to take some time to discuss Salaries. Ms. Corrow stated the wage study has changed since last week. Ms. Corrow explained that the majority of the changes have occurred in the Fire Department where each job was place one level below those stated last week. Ms. Corrow explained because of the changes to the Fire Department the salaries have decreased $15,625.61. Mr. Auger asked what had been dropped? Ms. Corrow stated we dropped grades.

Chairman Auger stated the changes should have been on the spreadsheet sent to Budget Committee members subsequent to the meeting. Ms. Corrow stated the changes were sent out via email when she had gotten them. Mr. Auger stated he does not want to appear before taxpayers without the current information. Ms. Corrow stated the Budget Committee had the correct information, the only change that occurred was in the Fire Department Salaries.

Salaries Continued

Tom Winn asked why only the Fire Department? Ms. Corrow stated they had gone back to review the pay classification study after listening to what was talked about at the last Budget Committee Meeting, and spent a lot of time looking at the numbers. The Fire Department Employees were still in for a larger increase in salaries. We were striving for both internal equity and market equity, internal equity among the positions, and market equity amongst the surrounding communities. The Board really wanted the implementation of the study to go through, so when reviewing the other communities it was determined that these positions could be brought down a level while still maintaining the marketable equity with the surrounding communities. Therefore, the positions were taken down a level to making it competitive with other towns, and reduce the impact and costs within the Fire Department Budget.

Ms. Corrow stated the Fire Department is still in line for additional increases, but this agreement was made as sort of a compromise. Tom Winn stated some of the other Salaries is similar to those of the Fire Department, and those positions were not touched. Dorcas Gordon stated Donnetta Haley stated sometimes these studies can be phased in over time? Rick Alpers stated they had discussed doing that, but when doing that the problem has a tendency to compile leaving us to catch up the differences.

Richard Walenda stated the Local Government Center had no idea what they were doing, and feels it was a waste of money. Rick Alpers stated they were very happy with the study and the information it provided. Mr. Alpers expressed her speaking skills were not what was expected but the information was very accurate. Chairman Auger stated she generally does not have to speak to groups. Ms. Corrow stated it was a combination of things.

Chairman Auger stated he was disappointed with the towns used or selected for the study without the consideration of the tax base. Selectmen Alpers respectfully disagrees with Mr. Auger stating they worked many hours to work on the study and compiled a lot of information to get the job done. Mr. Alpers stated they had changed out a few towns subsequent to determining the wage scale. Chairman Auger stated should someone ask him at the Public Hearing to support the salaries he will have to say he can not. Mr. Auger stated he could not because it does not match reality stating the jobs in Bristol are not that far behind other communities. Chairman Auger stated take a look at the economy in and around the State, how can you justify over $6 to one individual per hour in some instances. Selectmen Alpers stated we would be doing a 3% increase each year had it been that they were being paid correctly in the first place. Mr. Alpers stated you can not solely base a person’s pay on simply assessed value. Tom Winn asked the Chairman to let Mr. Alpers finish explaining before interrupting him. Chairman Auger asked that Mr. Alpers look at the economy nation wide stating he feels it is an insult to ask taxpayers to pay such a large increase in salaries. Mr. Auger stated he believes the employees deserve the pay raises, but he can not justify them with the economy the way it is.

Salaries Continued Discussion

Selectmen Bruce Van Derven explained it was a very difficult task for the administration to make these adjustments work throughout the entire budget. The Selectmen feel passionate about the study, and everyone feels they will make what ever concessions they need to get onboard with the study. Mr. Van Derven explained the study tries to implement some value behind its employees by creating an environment for our employees, and to create a morale that keeps the employees working for the Town of Bristol. Mr. Van Derven stated we have had employees who stick around for the training, and then move onto other towns for better pay. This happens year after year. Those who have stuck around for this study have been given hope. The Selectmen worked the numbers over and over again, and determined we could make some concessions within the Fire Department this year in order to bring the study to light for everyone.

Tom Winn stated he does not know how anyone can live with two departments who deal with life safety, and yet have a large discrepancy in pay. Mr. Winn stated you pay a crossing guard $10.00 per hour, and an EMT $12.00 per hour where is the reasoning behind this. Dorcas Gordon stated she does not necessarily agree to give a 2.5% COLA to all employees and a 1/3 raise across the board. Chairman Auger stated training, quality of service, etc., and is not what the Budget Committee is challenging here. Selectmen Alpers stated we have spent a number of hours working on this, and to throw it away would be an injustice. Tom Winn asked if Mr. Alpers had a plan in mind in order to implement the study? Chairman Auger stated he thought it should be implemented over a number of years maybe over 2-4 years. Jon Thouin stated did not think a good job was done on the study externally and internally, some salaries were scheduled larger than others, some small were small, some were be very large. He too would like to see it spread out over time, and is concerned about the morale of the Town Employees.

Chairman Auger stated once labor grades have been established and made public, and when changes are made, it does not inspire confidence. It appears to be a smack of manipulation to accomplish a goal. Selectmen Alpers stated the Board of Selectmen is not manipulating anything, and they will not lose the publics trust of his careless use of words. What the Board of Selectmen did was review the budget, made cuts where necessary, and reviewed the Wage Classification Study appropriately without any kind of manipulation whatsoever. Mr. Alpers stated the Board of Selectmen has a time frame as well to review the budget to makes its recommendations before coming to the Budget Committee. Chairman Auger stated if you had listened to what I said “it smacks of manipulation” asking him to think about it.

Lt. Lewis of the BPD expressed his concerns regarding employee morale explaining that the FD Personnel have been severely under paid based on inaccurate job descriptions for a number of years. The morale issue is that a number of these employees can not afford to pay their bills, know they should be paid more, but who have an invested interest in the community. These FD people have been waiting for their raise, the PD is fortunate enough to have gotten an excellent Chief of Police, and our morale continues to rise

Salaries Continued Discussion

Mr. Lewis stated if you do not manage your employees properly, or take the attitude if they do not like it they can move on, it's just adding to the problems. Lt. Lewis stated it costs us $32,000 to train a new employee over a year. When you lose that employee the town is in the hole $32,000. Tom Winn stated if this discussion is going to just come down to dollars and cents everyone is dead wrong. Mr. Winn stated these are valuable employees, who have valid careers, and he feels it is wrong not to pay them what they are worth.

Town Manager, Corrow stated to phase the Wage Classification Study in over a two (2) year period it would reduce the cost of salaries by approximately $70,000. Ms. Corrow stated the thing that is concerning is that everyone here to night is here now, and some of you may not be next year. Next year may come, and taxpayers may decide not to vote for salaries at all.

Town Manager, Corrow continued saying now where does that leave the employee who has been promised a pay increase. It leaves them waiting, still unable to pay their bills, and trying to get through this process once again. There is always that fear that people are unable to support the salary increase, and not one size fits all. Ms. Corrow stated she understands not everyone agrees with the Towns that were chosen. This is a valid study, a lot went into completing it, and it is used to bring back equity. The employees participated in the study, and she too is worried about morale as well. People are working together as a team, and they really do care about their colleagues. Paul Fraser asked where the senses of things were for the Budget Committee? Mr. Fraser asked if the Selectmen were to go over the Budget again making more cuts, if at that time the Wage Classification could be supported? Chairman Auger stated that is something he is unable to answer as it would be the opinion of the entire budget committee not just himself. Chairman Auger stated to Selectmen Alpers that smacking means looks like. Mr. Alpers thanked him for the definition.

Dorcas Gordon stated she personally she would like to see the implementation of the study to be gradually done over a period of time. A Fire Department employee sitting in the audience stated the members of the Fire Department have been waiting for pay increases for a number of years now, and morale is dissipating. Chairman Auger stated he agrees these people need a pay increase, his concern is with the taxpayers being unable to afford the increases. Selectmen Van Derven stated he does not believe this will fly if the Budget Committee does not support the Wage increases. Mr. Van Derven stated the Selectmen are willing to continue to work on the budget in order to arrive at making not only the employees happy, but the tax payers as well. There are two (2) items in this town that need to happen the Police Station and the Salaries for employees. These two issues have been discussed for over 10 years now. Here we have two groups working on the Budget, and trying to arrive at the same place. Chairman Auger stated he will not ask the Budget Committee to vote, but should they wish to express their opinions they may do so at their own will.

Salaries Continued Discussion

Chairman Auger asked Ms. Corrow for a copy of the revised labor grades for the Budget Committee to review. Andrew Hemmingway stated he is in agreement with talking with the Board of Selectmen further about the salaries. Dorcas Gordon stated she would like to discuss salaries further. Mr. Hemmingway asked why the committee is unable to talk about it now. Mr. Auger stated it is 10:20 p.m., and some may want to sleep tonight. Jon Thouin stated he wished to discuss salaries further. All members agreed to speak about salaries with the Selectmen at the next Budget Committee meeting on January 21, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. Selectmen Van Derven asked if it would be appropriate to maybe put aside a CIP project? Chairman Auger stated he would look at anything present to them by the Board of Selectmen. Dorcas Gordon stated if the leadership of the town wants to go back to cut more than she encourages them to do so.

Chairman Auger reminded everyone that over $20 million will be presented in the School Department that is higher than the Warrant Articles. Mr. Auger wanted everyone to keep these things in mind, and look at things carefully before making their decisions.

Chairman Auger thanked everyone present for their attendance stating it was not his intent to make people upset this evening but sometimes that happens in this process. The next meeting of the Budget Committee will be held on Monday, January 21, 2008.

Adjournment

Skip Bowie made the motion to adjourn at 10:40 p.m. Ron Preble seconded the motion. All members present agreed. MOTION CARRIED.