TOWN OF
2010 WARRANT AND BUDGET HEARING
Selectboard Present: Whitney
Aldrich (Chair); Jamie Teague, Sheldon Sawyer
Moderator, Ernie Vose called the 2010 Budget and Warrant Hearing to order at
Mr. Aldrich explained the budget
process. The Selectboard
request that the Department Heads submit their proposed budgets; this year they
were slightly under the budget figures of 2009.
The Selectboard then begins their review. Last
year the employees did not receive salary increases but were given a stipend of
$350. This year the Selectboard decided on a $.50/per
hour salary increase for all employees except for the recording
secretaries. The proposed budget for
2010 is up 2.84% over last year excluding Warrant Articles. Because the health insurance coverage was
going to increase by 19.5% they did change the plan. The employees have to pay a little more for
prescriptions but it resulted in a savings by bringing the increase down to 8%. The State mandates that towns include the Water
and Sewer Departments but they are separate utilities paid for by the users
rather than through taxes. There are some line item increases and some
decreases.
Debt Service –Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) –Interest- reflects a 0% increase/decrease as the Town did not
take out a note.
Debt Service-Principal and Interest figures are down.
The final payments on the Sewer and Landfill Closure will be made in
2010; at this point the Town will be debt free.
Board of Selectmen – Increased 8.94%: The majority
portion of this increase is due to the pay increases that also increase other
benefits. There is an increase in
Training/Seminars/Mileage as the new Administration Assistant will be attending
some seminars. Ms. Kissell
explained that when employees leave and are replaced by new employees it could
change the benefits; for example, single to family coverage. Workers Compensation increased
across-the-board.
Town Meeting Expenses – Level Funded: No
changes.
Town Clerk/Tax Collector – Increase 21.99%: Some of this
increase is for software up-grades.
Election – Increase 73.52%: There will be
three election votes in 2010; some years only one.
Accounting & Financial – Increase 3.83%.
Treasury – Level Funded: No changes.
Data Processing – Decrease of 1.02%.
Legal Expenses – Level Funded: No changes.
2010 Warrant & Budget
Hearing –
Planning – Decrease of almost 1%.
Zoning – Decrease of 29.24%.
General Government Buildings – Increase of 4.12%: Mr. Dalessio noted the 233.33% increase in the Water line. Ms. Kissell
explained that they added a sprinkler charge.
Mr. Sawyer noted that there is a maintenance figure increase for fixing
the roof.
Cemeteries – Increase of 15.51%.
Property Insurances – Decreased by 3.50%.
Advertising and Regional – Decrease of 18.72%.
Police Operating – Increase of 3.34%:
Forest Fire Control – Decreased by 9.09%.
Highways and Streets – Increase 5.68%: A big increase
is in the Storm Drains/Culverts as there have been several wash-outs that need
to be repaired.
Street Lighting – Increased by 32.08%.
Solid Waste Disposal –Recycling– Increased by 1.35%: Mrs. Teague
noted that they bring in Revenue to offset much of their Expenses. In 2009 it was approximately $175,000.
Health Agencies & Hospitals – Decreased by 10.31%.
Welfare Administration – Increased 52.98%: Mr. Aldrich
explained that the Selectboard increased the Welfare
Director’s hours and salary because the number of cases for assistance has
increased significantly.
Welfare-Vendor Payments – Increased by 8.95%.
Parks and Recreation Administration – Decreased by
0.75%.
Parks Maintenance – Increased by 224.05%. Includes in
this section is an increase to $12,000 for Repair & Maintenance due to the
condition of the bathrooms; it is a safety and sanitary issue.
Municipal Swimming Facilities – Decrease of 13.73%.
The total Parks and Recreation proposed budget
reflects an increase of 14.13%.
Library – Increase of 3.11%.
Patriotic Purposes – Increased by 27%.
Other Culture and Recreation – Increased by 54.43%. There is a
need for new shirts for the children that play basketball. $2,500 was included for Employee Background
checks.
Conservation – Increased by 11.66%: They will be
sponsoring some youngsters at a Conservation Camp.
2010 Warrant & Budget
Hearing –
Old Home Days
– Funds were included for the Old Home Days Event.
Revenues: Mr. Aldrich explained that the Revenues are
based on a good guess of what was generated in the previous year. For 2010 they are anticipating Revenues of
$1,421,117 as compared to a 2009 Actual figure of $1,781,661.
WARRANT ARTICLES:
ARTICLE 1: “To elect the necessary Town officers for
their respective terms.”
ARTICLE 2:
“Are you in favor of the adoption of Amendment #1, as proposed by the Planning
Board for the Walpole Zoning Ordinance as follows:
To
amend Article VII. Industrial District – C. Requirements by adding: “2.
The lot area shall not be less than 25,000 sq. ft. and shall have a minimum
frontage of 150 ft.”, by adding: “specific address locations in D.
Boundaries” and by adding: “E. Special Exceptions – 1.
Commercial operations are allowed by special exception from the Board of
Adjustment using the same provisions as apply to the uses permitted under Article
VI. Commercial District”. The intention is to establish missing lot
standards, clarify legal addresses and allow commercial uses in the district by special exception”. Recommended by the Planning Board.
ARTICLE 3: ”To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the total sum of Three Hundred Seventy Two Thousand Dollars
($372,000.00) for the replacement of a failed bridge on Mill Road and for the
replacement of water drainage on School Street.
The amount will be financed through the issuance of a 5.5 year bond or
note in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA33) and
to authorize the Selectboard to make any necessary
organizational decisions, issues, negotiate and regulate such bonds or notes
and to determine the rate of interest thereon.”
(Non-lapsing for Two Years). 2/3
Vote Required.
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mr. Dalessio asked if these
figures are guesses. Mr. Sawyer said they are actual quotes.
ARTICLE 4: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Three Million Three Hundred Twenty Seven Thousand Eighty
Five Dollars ($3,327,085.00) which represents the operating budget for the
general government of the Town. Such sum
does not include special or individual articles or bonds addressed below.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
This was previously discussed. There were no comments made.
ARTICLE 5: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) to be deposited in the Capital
Reserve Fund – Police Vehicle, previously established for the purchase of a
police vehicle.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No)
This Article is on the Warrant each year.
2010 Warrant & Budget
Hearing –
ARTICLE 6: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of One Hundred Fifty Eight Thousand Four Hundred Ninety
Eight Dollars ($158,498.00) for the purchase of a 2011 International model
7500, 6 Wheel Dump Truck with a plow, wing and an all-season dump and sander
body, to be used by the Highway Department and to fund this appropriation by
trading the 1999 International Truck, trade-in value of Eight Thousand Five
Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) and Twenty Two Thousand Dollars ($22,000.00) to be
taken out of the Town Highway Heavy Equipment Capital Reserve with the balance
of One Hundred Twenty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Eight Dollars
($127,998.00) to be funded by general taxation.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mr. Dalessio asked what the
impact will be to the Town if this gets voted down. Mr. Terrell said they will continue to use
the 11 year old truck with 100,000+ miles on it. If it breaks down the services may have to be
cut back. Mrs. Teague noted that some work
might need to be sub-contracted out.
ARTICLE 7: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) for the
purchase of Containment Pallets and Materials for the oil shed at the Walpole
Solid Waste Department, with said funds to come from a State of New Hampshire
Oil Grant Fund. (Non-Lapsing until
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Paul Colburn, Solid Waste Supervisor, advised that
they have done this for the past two years with the monies from this
grant. They now have the building so need
to fill it up. This is not costing the
Town anything. Mr. Vose
noted that in order to get the grant money we have to work the program.
ARTICLE 8: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to purchase a used
4WD Flatbed Truck with a Plow to replace the uninspectable
1995 1-Ton Platform Dump Truck at the Solid Waste Department.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No)
Mr. Colburn advised that this truck will be replacing
a 1995 truck that was purchased used. It
is not inspectable therefore cannot be used on the
road. Mr. Vose
noted that this department does give back to the Town in terms of revenues.
ARTICLE 9: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) to purchase a new 40
Yard Compactor Box that is needed at the Walpole Solid Waste Department as an
overflow or spare for when the existing Compactor Box is being repaired.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mr. Colburn explained that by making the change to
take the trash to
ARTICLE 10: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Seven Thousand Dollars ($7,000.00) for the purchase and
installation of a Clean Burn Model CB2500 Waste Oil Furnace to be placed at the
Walpole Solid Waste Department facility.
The purchase is
2010 Warrant & Budget
Hearing –
contingent upon receipt of
Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) from the Walpole Recycling
Action Committee. (Non-Lapsing for Two
Years).
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mr. Colburn stated that they take in about 1,200
gallons of waste oil per year. They go
through the State for this grant; no Town money is involved. There is no heat at the center except for a
small heater in the office area. With
the furnace the oil will be coming in and staying there; the maintenance will
be covered by the oil grant so it will be self-supporting. Mr. Aldrich noted that this Article has to be
worded in this manner to cover the $3,500.00.
ARTICLE 11: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500.00) for
repairs to be done on the Town Hall Roof.
(Non-Lapsing for Two Years).”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mr. Aldrich reported that the roof still leaks; it is
something that needs to be done.
ARTICLE 12: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and
appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) to pay for
the Town’s portion of the American Red Cross Rural Ride Program. Requested by Janet Warren, Executive Director
of the American Red Cross.”
The Selectboard
does not recommend this article. (1-Yes, 2-No).
Mr. Vose advised that Janet
Warren will be present at the Town Meeting to provide information on this
American Red Cross Rural Ride Program.
ARTICLE 13: “To see if the Town will vote to dissolve the
Revaluation Expendable Trust Fund established in 1989 in the amount of Eight
Hundred Seventy Two Dollars and Forty-Four Cents ($872.44) with any interest
accrued. The funds from this account
will be placed into the general fund.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mr. Aldrich explained that when the Auditors came in
they found four accounts that needed to be closed. The money will go into the General Fund and
then the accounts will be closed-out.
ARTICLE 14: “To see if the Town will vote to dissolve the
Statistical Update Expendable Trust Fund established in 2007 in the amount of
Two Hundred Eighty Five Dollars and Twenty-Two Cents ($285.22) with any
interest accrued. The funds from this
account to be placed into the general fund.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
See explanation in Article 13.
ARTICLE 15: “To see if the Town will vote to dissolve the
Landfill Closing Capital Reserve Account held by the Trustees of Trust Funds
that has a zero balance in funds.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
See explanation in Article 13. The Town still is responsible for the
monitoring tests.
2010 Warrant & Budget
Hearing –
ARTICLE 16: “To see if the Town will vote to reestablish
the Town of
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mr. Aldrich explained that several years ago a sign
was erected at the
ARTICLE 17: “Shall the town vote to raise and appropriate
the sum of Seventy Thousand Eight Hundred Forty Two Dollars ($70,842.00) to
hire a new Full Time Officer for the Police Department with a salary of
$35,000.00 per year and benefits of $35,842.00 per year. Said hiring to be conditional upon receiving
a grant for 100% of the officers salaries and benefits from the COPS Hiring
Recovery Program, said funds to be received from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2010, which awarded would provide salary and benefits for
three (3) years and require the town to fund the position awarded under the
grant the 4th year. If
approved, funding for this position will be contained in the operating budget
for the 4th year.”
The Selectboard
recommends this article. (3-Yes, 0-No).
Mrs. Teague advised that the Town applied for this
grant but it has not yet been bestowed.
In speaking with the Department of Revenue Administration the grants might
not be given until the middle of the year.
But in order to put it before the public they need to vote on it at Town
Meeting. This will be conditional upon
getting the grant. The benefit portion
was based on a family health plan and a portion is for the NH Retirement Plan.
ARTICLE 18: “To see if the Town will vote to approve the
following resolution to be forwarded to our State Representative(s), our State
Senator, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President.
Resolved: The citizens of
Mr. Vote advised that this will be presented by the
Petitioner of this Article at Town Meeting.
There were no other comments
or questions. Thirteen (13)
Moderator Vose declared this
Public Hearing closed at
Respectfully submitted, Regina
Borden, Recording Secretary
________________________
Whitney
R. Aldrich
________________________
Jamie J.
Teague
________________________
Sheldon
S. Sawyer
(Note: These are unapproved
minutes. Corrections, if necessary, may
be found in the minutes of the