OK town government junkies! Here's your homework for the next ten days before the town meeting! Study it carefully! We may have a quiz before the meeting! Seriously, these minutes of the February 13 Warrant and budget Meeting contain more specific information about town operations than almost anything else you can read. If you send specific questions or comments, I'll take them up with the Selectmen for their answers before the meeting. Or you can raise them at the meeting yourself. CCB
TOWN OF WALPOLE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
WARRANT AND BUDGET MEETING
February 13, 2006
Selectmen Present: Sheldon Sawyer, Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller
Ernie Vose, Moderator, called the Public Hearing on the proposed 2006 Warrant and Budget meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Notices were duly posted and published.
Mr. Vose turned the meeting over to Mr. Sawyer to present the proposed budget. If there are comments or questions, this is the time for discussion.
Mr. Sawyer announced that when the bottom line is reached the Board of Selectmen do not expect a big change in the tax rate. There is a 6.34% increase but when we get to the Articles, if they pass, we still will be spending less money than last year. He began a line-by-line review of the Expenditure Comparison for the year ending December 31, 2005. The difference between the 2005 budgeted and 2006 recommended figures were included as well as detailed Budget Worksheets. Following are some of the accounts discussed and their increases or decreases.
Expenditures:
Executive – Increase $3,846 – this is basically salaries;
Tax, Election, Registration, Vital Statistics – Increase $7,621 – there will be three elections
this year;
Financial Administration – Decrease ($5,332) – In past years there was $10,000 in this account
for assessing services but this year they entered into a contract so it is a Warrant Article;
Legal Expenses – Increase $15,000 – Legal expenses are going up; when people hire a lawyer
the Board of Selectmen quite often have to hire one as well;
Planning & Zoning – Decrease ($1,570) – Last year a Capital Improvement Plan was done
through the Southwest Region Planning Commission as the State required it but it will only be used if the voters want to impose impact fees; this was the ground work.
General Government Bldg – Increase $3,692 – This includes heating;
Cemeteries – Decrease ($1,000) – This is basically for the mowing contract. The Board of
Selectmen cut out tree work;
Other Insurances – Increase $3,785 – There are insurance coverage increases;
Regional Associations – Increase $138 – This is for the Southwest Region Planning Commission
and the Southwestern Community Services;
Police – Increase $10,914 – The increase covers salaries, gas, ammunition, etc. Chief Hewes
brought to their attention the fact that the Town was low in their salary range compared to some other towns. We would like to keep our trained people here.
Police Special Detail – No increase – The Police do flagging for contract jobs, etc. The figure in
2005 Actual is what we paid out but the town makes money and we will look at the Revenues. The town made about $24,000 over the expenses;
Emergency Management – Increase $2,000 – Last year we had flood damage and there is still a
lot of work to be done. A Hazardous Mitigation Plan was included and some money for radios;
Highways & Streets – Increase $94,709 – This includes salary and health insurance increases.
The Main Street project was done last year but this year money was included for the curbing. $4,000 was added for employee uniforms as all of the other towns are doing this.
Highway Bridges – Decrease ($10,000) – Hopefully, the town won’t have to do any bridge
repairs this year;
Highway Street Lighting – Increase $3,000 – An increase because of electric rates;
Solid Waste Disposal – Increase $42,150 – This account was cut in other years but the town gets
a substantial amount of Revenue so that offsets some of the expenses. Another part-time person was approved and an extra purchase of bags.
Health Agencies – This will remain the same. It includes funding for the Fall Mountain Food
Shelf, Monadnock Family Mental Health, Home Health Care Expenses, Southwestern Community Services, The Community Kitchen, Walpole Meals on Wheels, and Fall Mountain Friendly Meals – they do a good job for the Town; one new request was received this year – see Article No. 22.
Welfare Administration – Increase $252 – This account is difficult to predict – the Welfare
Officer tries to find other assistance for some people;
Parks & Recreation – Increase $5,450 – Some supplies have increased. They want to do more
landscaping and maintenance. The employees are part-time.
Library – Increase $4,830 – A small increase mainly because of the hours and salaries.
Other Culture & Recreation – Increase $1,000 – This account covers the Age In Motion class,
Senior Citizens, Hockey, Soccer, and Basketball Programs and Sports Insurance.
Conservation – Increase $530 – Postage went up;
General Fund Totals – 2005 Budgeted $2,486,330; 2005 Actual $2,899,847; 2006 Recommended $2,644,056; Difference between 2005 Budgeted and 2006 Recommended $157,726.
Total General Fund Including Special Articles – 2005 Budgeted $2,949,211; 2005 Actual $3,326,654; 2006 Recommended $3,010,412.
The Water and Sewer Departments are through user fees. They do not anticipate any big projects this next year.
Water Department – 2005 Budgeted $195,526; 2005 Actual $206,271; 2006 Recommended $152,111; Difference between 2005 Budgeted and 2006 Recommended ($43,415).
Sewer Department – 2005 Budgeted $228,025; 2005 Actual $277,399; 2006 Recommended $215,307; Difference between 2005 Budgeted and 2006 Recommended ($12,718).
Total Budget Appropriated – 2005 Budgeted $2,909,881; 2005 Actual $3,383,517; 2006 Recommended $3,011,474; Difference between 2005 Budgeted and 2006 Recommended $101,593.
Total Budget including Special Articles – 2005 Budgeted $3,372,762; 2005 Actual $3,810,324; 2006 Recommended $3,377,830; Difference Between 2005 Budgeted and 2006 Recommended $5,068.
Revenues:
Every year the Board of Selectmen have no idea of what the Revenues will be. If the surplus gets too high they can use some of that to offset the taxes.
Yield Tax – Estimated $10,000 – This is for timber cuts;
Excavation Tax – Estimated $4,000 – This is for gravel excavation;
Penalties and Interest – Estimated $40,000 – This is tax liens and interest;
Business Licenses & Permits – Estimated $25 – The town has one junk yard;
Motor Vehicle Permits – Estimated $600,000 – For vehicle registrations;
Building Permits – Estimated $50 – For Building Permits;
Other Licenses, Permits, Fees – Estimated $21,451;
Other Federal Grants & Reimb – Estimated $-0- - This would be revenues from FEMA;
Shared Revenue Block Grant – Estimated $69,635 – Miscellaneous;
Meals & Rooms Tax Distribution – Estimated $120,000 – Through the State of NH;
Highway Block Grant – Estimated $119,314 – This is based on the number of miles of roads –
there are about seven miles of State Roads in the Town;
Water Pollution Grants – Estimated $305,592 – This is federal money – interest goes down each
year;
Other State Grants & Reimb – Estimated $4,000 – Railroad Tax & reimbursement for the Fire
and Highway Departments;
Income from Departments – Estimated $105.620 – From the Police and summer programs;
Solid Waste Revenue – Estimated $142,000 – This depends on the market prices;
Sale of Municipal Property – Estimated $6,000 – Cemetery lots;
Interest on Investments – Estimated $30,000 – Deposits in the Public Deposit Investment Pool;
Rents of Municipal Property – Estimated $5,300 – Town Hall rentals;
Police Department – Fines – Estimated $500 – Fines;
Insurance Dividends & Reimb – Estimated $-0- - The Town is not sure because the Board of
Selectmen entered into a new program this year;
Other Miscellaneous Revenue – Estimated $115 – Miscellaneous
Interfund Operating Transfers in –SD – Estimated $42,210;
Transfer from Trust & Agency Funds – Estimated $10,000.
General Fund (Less Property Taxes) – 2005 Budgeted $1,816,518; 2005 Actual $2,205,612; 2006 Estimated $1,635,811.
Water Administration – 2005 Budgeted $167,400; 2005 Actual $169,892; 2006 Estimated $163,635.
Sewer Department – 2005 Budgeted $234,325; 2005 Actual $221,084; 2006 Estimated $223,973.
Total Budget Appropriated – 2005 Budgeted $2,218,243; 2005 Actual $2,596,588; 2006 Estimated $2,023,419.
Mr. Sawyer advised that the tax rate for the town portion should be close to what it was a year ago. The school tax will then be added to it.
James Aldrich moved to accept this proposed 2006 Budget as presented at this meeting. Seconded by Mr. Watkins. With all in favor, the motion was approved.
WARRANT ARTICLES:
Mr. Sawyer advised that the first Article to be discussed at this meeting is No. 9. The first eight (8) Articles deal with the election of Town officers, Planning Board Amendments, changes to the Zoning Ordinance and Article 8, the operating budget. They will be voted upon on March 14th.
ARTICLE 9: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($130,000) for the purchase of a 2006 International Six Wheel Dump Truck with Tenco Side Dump Body – Plow and Wing for use by the Town Highway Department to replace the 1997 International Dump Truck; and to fund this appropriation by trading in the 1997 International Dump Truck (trade in value of $15,000) with the balance to be funded by general taxation.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article) (Majority vote required)
Jim Terrell advised that by the time the dump trucks reach 8 years or so they start to cost money for repairs.
ARTICLE 10: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500) for the purchase of a Hydraulic Road Broom ATTACHMENT for the Loader.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer explained that the present broom keeps getting welded as it keeps breaking down.
ARTICLE 11: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fourteen Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($14,200) for a 10 foot wing for the Loader.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
There was no discussion on this Article.
ARTICLE 12: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Three Hundred Ninety Nine Dollars ($8,399) for the purchase and installation of five (5) Overhead Doors for the Old Town Shop.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approves this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer said last year the town put a new roof on the Old Town Shop. They would like to keep up-grading the building; fix it up so the Highway and Water Departments can share it.
ARTICLE 13: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) for curbing on Main Street.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer explained that they intended to put in the granite curbing last year but then the floods came.
ARTICLE 14: “To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000) for work to be done on the Old Keene Road Bridge #182/064. This will be the first of a three year warrant article to complete the project. When the project is complete the State will inspect, and when approved will reimburse the Town 80% of the total cost to repair the bridge.” (This article is non-lapsing)
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
This bridge is by Mill Road and the Old Keene Road. The Town will get 80% reimbursement from the State. This is an on-going project and the third year the Town is dealing with it. The engineering is all done. Mr. Sawyer advised that this is a three year appropriation of $80,000.
ARTICLE 15: “To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Six Thousand Dollars Four Hundred Forty Seven Dollars ($26,447.00) for the purchase of a 2006 Dodge Charger Cruiser ($23,947) and detailing, lettering, etc ($2,500), to be used by the Walpole Police Department, and to fund this appropriation by withdrawing Sixteen Thousand Four Hundred Forty Seven Dollars ($16,447.00) from the Capital Reserve Fund Police Vehicle and the balance to be funded by general taxation.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
There was no discussion on this Article.
ARTICLE 16: “To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($10,500) for the purchase of three (3) Motorola XTS 3000 radios, and to approve the funding by general taxation if a Grant cannot be obtained.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
It is expected that these radios can communicate with the other services. Mr. Watkins questioned if these radios will have the capability of communicating with everyone else as there have been problems in the past. Jim Terrell explained that they do not like to put the Police Departments on for privacy purposes but will be able to talk to other service providers and Highway Departments.
ARTICLE 17: “To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($5,400) to replace a thirty-year old furnace and inadequate duct work at the Bridge Memorial Library. This replacement and improvement repair will be funded by general taxation.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer advised that the “thirty-year old furnace” will be changed to “twenty-year old furnace” but that should not make much of a difference.
ARTICLE 18: “To see if the Town will dissolve the Walpole Recreation Park Trust Fund in the amount of $6,591.21 with said funds to be placed in the general fund.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article)
Mr. Sawyer explained that this is the correct way to handle this; it is carried over into Article 19.
ARTICLE 19: “To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of Fourteen Thousand Eight Hundred Ten Dollars ($14,810) to repair cracks and install a new color coat on the tennis, basketball courts and walkway areas at the Recreation Center. With $6,591.21 coming from the general fund (warrant article 18) with balance to be funded by general taxation. ($8,218.79)”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
There was no discussion on this Article.
ARTICLE 20: ”To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) for repairs to the North side at the Town Hall.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Miller noted that the pillars are in good shape but repairs to the north side are needed. They hope to take care of the emergency bars also.
ARTICLE 21: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty Three Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($23,600) for the mandatory Statistical Update to be done by Granite State Assessing Services, and to fund this article by taking Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) from the Statistical Update – Expendable Trust Fund, with the balance to be funded by general taxation. ($13,600)”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer reported that the Board of Selectmen made a decision to switch from Avitar to Granite State Assessing Services. The Statistical Update is to bring the assessed values up to 100%. After a town goes below the 90% level the State likes them to do a Statistical Update. They use the sales data of the properties sold during the year. Mr. Miller noted that recently houses have been selling for more than the assessed value.
ARTICLE 22: “To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000 for Our Place Drop In Center in Bellows Falls. (Our Place is used by the Walpole Welfare Department)”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer advised that the Town’s Welfare Department has used Our Place for assistance and Elaine Moore recommended this Article.
ARTICLE 23: “To see if the Town will vote to establish an Old Home Day Fund and allow any donations to be kept in this fund as well as any budgeted monies from the town. Old Home Days committee shall be designated Agents and shall keep the necessary accounting. The Trustees of Trust Funds shall administer this fund.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer explained that with a Capital Reserve Fund the monies can only be taken out through a vote of the Town. If this separate fund is established the Old Home Days committee can put monies in and take it out. Next year the voters will probably be asked to put some money in this account.
ARTICLE 24: “To see if the Town will dissolve the Old Home Day Fund with any said funds in the account to be placed in the general fund.”
(The Board of Selectmen Approve this Article) (Majority vote required)
Mr. Sawyer noted that this should be changed to the Capital Reserve Fund shall be dissolved with said funds to be placed in the Old Home Day Fund.
ARTICLE 25: “To see if the Town will vote to increase the Optional Veterans Tax Credit from Property tax in the Town of Walpole from the current amount of $100.00 to $250.00. Effective with the tax year beginning April 1, 2006, as provided in RSA 72:27-A & 73:28. (This is a PETITIONED Article)
James Aldrich explained that in accordance with the RSAs this amount could be up to $500.
Mr. Sawyer announced that the voters are hereby notified to meet at the Town Hall, 34 Elm Street, Town of Walpole, on Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 8:00 A.M., to act on Article 1 – 3, which are the Articles to be voted on at the polls. Polls at the Walpole Town Hall and at North Walpole St. Peter’s Church will open at 8:00 A.M., and will remain open until 7:00 P.M.
Following the counting of the ballots, the meeting will be recessed until Saturday, March 18, 2006, at 1:00 P.M., at the Town Hall, at which time the balance of the Articles will be acted upon.
There were thirteen voters present at this meeting.
Mr. Sawyer adjourned this meeting at 8:26 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Regina Borden, Recording Secretary
THESE ARE UNAPPROVED MINUTES. CORRECTIONS, IF NECESSARY, MAY BE FOUND IN THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 23, 2006, SELECTMEN’S MEETING.