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Warner Board of Selectmen Work Session
Meeting
opened at In
attendance: Selectman David E. Hartman – Chairman Selectman
Richard A. Cook Selectman
Wayne Eigabroadt Absent:
None Recorder
of the minutes is Mary Whalen Others
present: Laura Buono –
Town Administrator Jim McLaughlin - Rebecca Courser
– 1. Mr.
McLaughlin explained that the OFBC met with Christopher Closs and Ed
Mical. During the meeting it
was agreed that something needs to be done with the roof at the Mr.
McLaughlin also recommended appointing Ed Mical as a member of the OFBC.
Ms. Buono will speak to Mr. Mical about the appointment.
2. General
Business Chairman
Hartman spoke of Mr. Roy Champagne which expressed through a letter
received by the Assessing Clerk his displeasure about flagged cellar
holes that are located on his property.
The Warner Historical Society will be sending a letter of
explanation to the property owner. The
property owner has removed all the flags.
The reason behind the property owner’s agitation is because a
Conservation Commission member contacted the State about an upcoming
logging operation on the resident’s property, when the State was
contacted it was indicated that the operation should be watched closely.
The Selectmen discussed the proposed allegation that the
Conservation Commission member made.
Ms. Buono will send a letter to the Commission asking that such
allegations be brought before the Selectmen first.
Selectman Eigabroadt asked the Board if there are any concerns
about the logging operation without a bond. Selectman Cook does see the
need for an additional bond. 3. Capital Budget $50K
Conservation Commission – Selectman Cook recused himself.
Selectman Eigabroadt said the funding will depend on the out come
of the budget. $33,330
Police Cruiser – $25K
Bridge Maintenance & Repairs – Selectman Cook is not sure this
item is needed because work could be done in conjunction with road
projects. Selectman
Eigabroadt said both the State and Federal are under scrutiny for the
number of bridges that are red listed.
Some of the town’s bridges are red listed due to signage.
Selectman Eigabroadt confirmed that the reserve would be for
bridge replacement. Ms.
Buono added the reserve would also be for repairs and maintenance.
Selectman Cook is in favor of cutting this cost based upon the
road project decision. Highway
Road Construction Projects – bonding has been briefly discussed and
researched. Bonding 1.5
million for 10 years would cost the town 139k per year.
Bonding the road projects would help keep the tax rate even.
The Road Committee has established five priority road segments as
well as the cost per mile. The
Director of Public Works will measure the segments in order to determine
a total cost. Selectman Cook
does not see the economics in borrowing 1.5 million and paying 2 million
to borrow it. Selectman Cook
does not feel that a bond for 10 years is a long enough commitment to
involve new residents. Ms.
Buono recommended funding $200K this year using the following year to
fine tune the road projects as well as the bonding issues.
The Selectman agreed it would be wise to utilize the extra time
to present a solid plan to the voters.
Traffic
Light at Exit 9 – this involves the purchasing of easements,
relocating the park & ride and traffic light installation.
Selectman Eigabroadt feels that there needs to be definitive
answers for the voters before asking for any funding, also RAW
Investments accepted the task of having their engineer re-design the
park & ride as well as submitting the plan to the State for
approval. The Selectmen
agreed that the request for $57,500 cannot be justified at this time. Highway
Equipment Capital Reserve - $110K is being requested for a 550 pick-up
and a dump body. Ms. Buono
did obtain lease information; for $180k lease amount in three years
almost $16K is paid in interest @ $65+K per year, for 4 years there is
about $21K interest @ $50+K per year.
Chairman Hartman believes the Director of Public Works obtained a
dump body from the Town of Property
Revaluation – requested is $50K, Ms. Buono said if the Selectmen
needed to lower the bottom line the $50K could be lowered to $25K this
year and increase the amount to $50K for next year. Cemetery
Expendable Trust - $5K Fire
Department Equipment – no funding, Selectman Cook recommends funding.
The reason there was no funding is because a new vehicle was purchased
this year, $65K is slated for 2009 and there after for 5 years.
There is $58K in the reserve, $300+K is needed by 2014.
Selectman Eigabroadt said not funding this year will help keep
the bottom line stable. (Ms.
Buono informed the Selectmen that an additional payroll needs to be
added because of the leap year) Transfer
Station - $69K for scales; Selectman Eigabroadt said what is normally
required is actual literature with quotes.
In the CIP $22K was proposed for 3-years to purchase the scales
in 2010 with the balance going toward paving the parking area and
expansion. Ms. Buono asked
if the Transfer Station Facility Committee is addressing the scales.
There is currently $10K in reserve for expansion.
Selectman Eigabroadt recommends deleting $37K for expansion and
$10K for paving and apply $22K for scales, the Board agreed.
Selectman Cook recommends calling the fund Transfer Station
Equipment. Chairman Hartman
reminded the Selectmen that the lease expires in December and funding
needs to be considered for next year.
The cost to purchase the property is approximately $110K, the
Selectmen recommend funding $50K this year. Ms.
Buono said the capital and operating budget combined increases by 4.39%
increase. Selectman Cook
asked what the percentage would be if the capital budget was reduced by
$50K, Ms. Buono said adding the $50K to the operating budget the
percentage would be 2.81%. Chairman
Hartman and Selectman Eigabroadt discussed the $50K for Conservation
Commission and both agreed to leave the capital budget as it stands.
Ms.
Buono discussed an upcoming vacant position at the Highway Department,
the position needs to be determined as either one full-time position or
2 part-time positions, and benefits may need to be budgeted. Motion
to adjourn at David
E. Hartman – Chairman
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