Warner Board of Selectmen

Meeting Minutes

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Chairman Hartman opened the public session at 11:45 a.m.

In Attendance:   Selectman David Hartman – Chairman, Selectman David Karrick, Jr., Selectman Clyde Carson,
Town Administrator Laura Buono  

Others present:

1. 2011 Operating Budget Highlights

Selectmen’s Budget

o             Increase in computer costs is for software maintenance and new equipment.

o             Four Newsletters are budgeted.  Selectman Carson recommends 6 Newsletters and establishing a schedule. 

Finance Office

o             6.7% increase is due to increased office hours.

Tax Collector

o             A $1,000 error was found in the salary line which needs to be added in the 2010 budget.  

The Town Administrator will present different health insurance options for the Selectmen to choose from such as a higher co-pay, higher employee contribution etc.   

Selectman Karrick made a motion to move $1,000 from the contingency fund to the Tax Collector salary line.  Selectman Carson seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed.  

Legal

o             The Selectmen discussed the current court case (Azmy) and the expected expense in 2011, plus two anticipated similar cases.  The 2011 budget amount is $7,000.  

Health Insurance

o             28.6% increase due to an employee being added and there is also a potential for another employee in the Highway Department.  

The Director of Public Works has provided a date that he will be retiring.  Selectman Carson wonders if it is essential to have the Transfer Station Foreman report to the Director of Public Works instead of directly to the Selectmen.  The Board discussed advertising for the Director of Public Works position with the proviso that there is an in-house candidate.  

Town Hall

o             Interior painting has been budgeted.  The Board decided to remove the painting from the operating budget and add it to the capital projects for the Town Hall.

o             Mileage was reduced to $800.  

Old Grade School

o             The budget includes money to begin replacing fire alarms and extinguishers.  

Cemeteries

o             The addition of the Pine Grove Cemetery is self funded for at least 3-years.  

Police Department

o             The Board discussed the condition of the front lawn area at the Police Department.  The slope is eroding away where there is a lot of rocks and gravel exposed.  Selectman Carson said if funds are being solicited from the Men’s Club and the Fall Foliage Festival they should be placed in the Beautification Fund so the Selectmen can use them as they see fit for either at the Police Station or the Statue etc.     

Fire Department

o             New and Replaced Equipment line includes radio repairs and replacement of pagers.  Selectman Carson said if the Town is going to present a warrant article to buy new radios and equipment why not add the expense to the warrant.   The Town Administrator said if the Board moves forward with the warrant then the money can be pulled out of the operating budget and added to the warrant.  There are other options if the warrant fails.  Selectman Carson would like more clarification on the equipment and radio maintenance lines. 

o             The Town Administrator will ask about the status on the interior painting.   

2. Adjournment

At 1:40 p.m. a motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  

Board of Selectmen  

David E. Hartman - Chairman
David Karrick, Jr.
Clyde Carson  

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Whalen

Recording Secretary