Minutes of
Litchfield Budget Committee Meeting
Held on November 1, 2007
Present: B Lemire (Chairman), B Spencer (Vice Chairman), R Peeples (Selectman’s Rep.), J Harte, M Falzone, P Parker, B McCue
Absent: D Miller
Chairman Lemire called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. He acknowledged Ms. Durocher’s retirement and her service to the Budget Committee and the Town, and presented her with a plaque and flowers on behalf of the Committee. He then welcomed her replacement, new Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Howard Dilworth.
There were no members of the public in attendance.
MOTION: by Mr. M Falzone
Move to approve the minutes of the Litchfield Budget Committee meeting on October 18th, 2007 as written
SECOND: Mr. J Harte
VOTE: 6-0-1 (Mr. McCue abstained as he had been absent)
Government Buildings (A/C 4194)
The presentation on this account was deferred.
Mosquito Control District (A/C 4411.20)
The presentation on this account was deferred.
Fire Department (A/C 4220)
Selectman Peeples thanked the Fire Department for re-roofing the dog kennel at a savings to the Town. Chairman Lemire confirmed the Fire Department had donated their labor. Selectman Peeples deferred to Mr. Schofield to present his budget.
Chief Schofield stated half the budget was level funded or reduced and that overall it was less than last year.
Line item 10-342 (Software Support Contract): Mr. Harte asked why the Board of Selectmen had increased the amount for this line, and Chief Schofield explained this was for 21 licenses for auditing and compliance which he had not factored in. He confirmed the licenses include the Town Hall, Cable Committee and Police Department as the original software had been purchased through the Fire Department. Selectman Peeples explained that a separate account has not been set up as yet for these.
Action: Chief Schofield offered to obtain a more accurate figure for next week.
Line item 10-302 (Contracted Secretarial Services): It was explained the increase in this line is to obtain help for a full 52 weeks (8 hours/week).
Line item 10-341 (Telephone): Mr. Spencer queried this line and it was explained that some of the Nextel phones would be upgraded and at present they are unsure what the effect will be of reducing business with Verizon. Selectman Peeples explained what the Town has done to re-organize their telephones which has resulted in a reduction in billing and also explained what is being supplied by Verizon.
Line item 10-740 (Equipment Purchases – Computer): The Chief explained there are a couple of old computers which are starting to fail and he bought a couple of used ones to get by with, as some of their computers are being inspected externally.
Line item 10-811 (Seminars and Conventions): The Chief confirmed for Mr. Harte these costs have been moved into the Training budget.
Line item 20-839 (Property Damage Claims): Mr. McCue asked about the adjustment by the Board of Selectmen, and Selectman Peeples explained there is a $1,000 deductible for every insurance claim and they have budgeted for one claim. Chief Schofield provided examples of the money spent in this line.
Line item 20-125 (Call Firefighter Wages): In response to Mr. Spencer’s query it was explained the requested money represents 240 hours/year; 4.6 hours/week per employee. The Chief explained that Training had not been spent this year in order to manage the bottom line and pointed out this year is the first time the budget has not gone over. A discussion followed of what had been spent in previous years and Chief Schofield explained how he had worked out his figures. He commented he is finding it hard to get people to turn up for their shifts due to morale problems, citing reasons for this. A discussion followed regarding the printing of the fire log in the Hudson Litchfield News and Chief Schofield said he has made a decision not to submit the log to the newspaper in the future, as it has not always been printed in the past.
Line item 20-128 (Saturday/Sunday Shift Coverage): The Chief explained there will be 26 shifts this year and these will be phased in so that there will be coverage 8 hours per day, 7 days per week to provide better service and to obtain some relief for the firefighters. He explained that since July 1st this year’s spending is included in Call Wages (line item 20-125).
Line item 30-613 (Community Relations): It was mentioned that this item was not spent last year
Line items 40-127 & 331 (Training Wages and Classes): Mr. Harte asked for clarification regarding the figures, and the Chief explained that wages are not paid for training, only for travel to training, and that training courses are becoming more expensive.
Line item 40-740 (Training Equipment): It was explained they need to buy an overhead projector and props.
Line item 50-345 (Dispatch Service Contract): Chief Schofield explained that Hudson is now charging more, and it is no longer a flat rate. He also explained that they currently bill the Town at the end of the year. This will change and will tie into the ambulance billing on a quarterly basis.
Line item 50-631 (Portable Radio Replacement Batteries): It was explained that last year they had some batteries donated, so they will replace half of the batteries every year.
Line item 50-433 (Communication Equipment Maintenance): In response to Mr. Spencer’s query about the compatibility of the communications equipment, the Chief provided background and the current status of the equipment and pointed out they are working to improve the communications between departments. He explained they are currently using frequencies for interdepartmental communications which Manchester Fire Department has given them permission to use at present.
Line item 60-660 (Vehicle Repairs & Maintenance): In response to a query from Mr. Harte the current situation was explained and it was stated that they will encumber the money which they will be unable to use this year, which is due to one of the engines being gone for repair for longer than anticipated.
Line item 70-430 (Medical Equipment Maintenance Contract): It was explained the defibrillator contract is paid in December. The Chief stated he would like to work on a fixed cost for replacing the equipment every five years.
Line item 80-630 (Station Repairs and Maintenance): It was explained they are trying to keep the current building going.
Line item 80-641 (Septic Tank Cleaning): The Chief explained the problems with the inside drains and getting them cleaned, due to current regulations. He stated he would like to do them twice per year.
Ambulance (A/C 4215)
Chief Schofield stated he did not submit a budget this year as Hudson has not yet worked out the numbers. Chairman Lemire confirmed the Chief will need to present it to the Board of Selectmen when he has the figures.
Emergency Management (A/C 4290)
The Chief explained the budget has not yet been submitted to the Board of Selectmen. He provided an explanation of the current situation, stating that re-writing the plan is proving much more expensive and taking longer than anticipated.
Sanitation Administration (A/C 4321)
MOTION: by Selectman Peeples
Move to set a bottom line for the 2008 budget of $70,828 for account 4321, Sanitation Administration
SECOND: Mr. J Harte
VOTE: 7-0-0
The motion carried unanimously.
Sanitation (A/C 4324)
MOTION: by Selectman Peeples
Move to set a bottom line for the 2008 budget of $310,650 for account 4324, Sanitation
SECOND: Mr. B Spencer
VOTE: 7-0-0
The motion carried unanimously
Pest Control (A/C4414)
MOTION: by Selectman Peeples
Move to set a bottom line for the 2008 budget of $18,821 for account 4414, Pest Control
SECOND: Mr. B McCue
VOTE: 7-0-0
The motion carried unanimously
Selectman Peeples stated that the amount in this budget is down due to the Fire Department replacing the roof of the kennel.
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Mr. Harte stated he would distribute a running total this week for the budgets set by the Committee so far. Mr. Spencer pointed out he is concerned about deferring so many of the accounts. Selectman Peeples stated the Board of Selectmen will try to catch up.
In response to Chairman Lemire’s query about warrant articles, Selectman Peeples stated they are expecting warrants for Streets and Highways for the culvert replacements; a new fire station; and potentially one for two full time police officers. He stated there is currently a review of the Police Department taking place.
There followed a brief discussion of the agenda items for the next meeting.
MOTION: by Mr. J Harte
Move to adjourn the meeting
SECOND: Mr. M Falzone
VOTE: 7-0-0
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
NEXT MEETING
Minutes prepared by Mrs. S Maxwell