Town of Pittsfield
February 18, 2008
Budget Committee
Members attending: W. Case, L. Deane, G. Gilman, F. Hast, C. Keuenhoff, A.
MacLellan,
R. Morse, L. Okrent, J. Prue, H. Schoppmeyer, L. Small (Select Board rep), M.
Vaughan,
L. Vogt (School Board rep)
Members absent: W. Abbott
Meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM by Chairman Keuenhoff.
Minutes of the February 14,2008 meeting were accepted as corrected.
Voting began on the Town Budget beginning with the Warrant Articles:
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten
Thousand
($10,000) for the purpose of creating a Forest Management Plan, said sum to
come from
the Town’s unreserved fund balance. (Recommended by the Budget
Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (There is no tax
impact on the tax rate.)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by L. Small
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 3. Shall the Town adopt the provisions of RSA 72:28, II & IV for an optional
veterans
tax credit of Three Hundred Dollars ($300) and replace the standard tax credit in
its entirety?
(Recommended by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of
Selectmen)
(Assuming 192 residents are eligible the estimated gross tax impact is $0.12)
Moved by H. Schoppmeyer Seconded by L. Deane
Motion Adopted 9-0 (3 members abstaining)
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to be added to the Municipal Building Reserve Fund
previously established.
(Fund balance is $82,650 on 12-31-07) (Recommended by the Budget
Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated gross tax
impact $0.16)
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Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Okrent
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to create an expendable trust fund under
the provisions of RSA 31:19a, to be known as the Property Acquisition and
Redevelopment Fund for the purpose of acquiring, directly and supplementing
grant funding, and redeveloping land and buildings to enhance the long term
economic growth and stability of Pittsfield, and to raise and appropriate the sum
of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) for the Fund and further to appoint
the Selectmen as agents to expend. The Selectmen are directed to conduct a
public hearing prior to expending from this Fund. ( Recommended by the
Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated
gross tax impact $0.32.)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by A. MacLellan
MotionAdopted 12-0
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to create an expendable trust fund under
the provisions of RSA 31:19-a, to be known as the Municipal Buildings Repair and
Maintenance Fund for the purpose of timely and effective repairs to any Town
owned building in Pittsfield, and to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($50,000.) for this fund; and further to appoint the selectmen
as agents to expend. (Recommended by the Budget Committee)
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated gross tax impact $0.16.)
Moved by L. Okrent Seconded by L. Small
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One
Hundred and
Ninety Three Thousand Dollars ($193,000.) for the purpose of purchasing and
equipping a pre-owned fire department ladder truck and to authorize the
withdrawal of One Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand Dollars ($193,000.00)
from the Fire and Rescue Apparatus Reserve Fund created for that purpose.
(Reserve Fund balance is $198,004.50 on 12-31-07) (Not Recommended by the
Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Selectmen)
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan
MotionLost 4 – 6 with 2 abstentions
At this point Committee members left the Warrant Articles and went to line items
in the
Town Budget to accommodate those Town Department Heads who were
present to answer
any questions by committee members.
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4130 Executive $89,423
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4140 Elections $70,531
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Okrent Motion Adopted
4150 Financial Administration $114,159
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion Adopted
4152 Reval. of Property $19,000
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion Adopted
4153 Legal $15,000
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion to amend withdrawn
Motion Adopted
4155-4159 Personnel Admin. $129,826
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4191 Planning & Zoning $11,114
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4194 General Gov’t Bldgs $29569
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4195 Cemeteries $ 250.
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion Adopted
4196 Insurance $42,000
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Okrent Motion Adopted
4197 Advertising & Region. Assoc. $ 7,139
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion Adopted
4199 Other General Gov’t. $47,300
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion Adopted
4210 Police Department $767,242
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Asopted
4210-4213 Police Other $ 24,039
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Okrent Motion Adopted
4215 Ambulance Service $282,832
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion Adopted
4219 Ambulance/Fire Shared $71,469
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4220 Fire Department $ 120,610
Moved by L. Small Seconded by R. Morse Motion Adopted
4240 Building Inspection $ 60,473
Moved by L. Small Seconded by W. Case Motion Adopted
4290 Emergency Mgmt & Forest Fire Suppression $5,660
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4311-4319 Highways & Streets $768,633
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Vogt
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Moved by H. Schoppmeyer to add $4000 to the Snow Removal line. Seconded
by
R. Morse. Motion Adopted
Moved by F. Hast to add another $1000 to the Snow Removal line. Seconded by
W. Case. Motion Adopted
Final figure of $768,633 Adopted
4324 Solid Waste Disposal $159,182
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane Motion Adopted
4339 Hydrant and Dam Fees $121,657
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane Motion Adopted
4414 Animal Control $8664
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4441-4444 Welfare $130,058
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane Motion Adopted
4520 Parks & Recreation $30,500
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
4550 Library $61,000
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane
Moved to amend by H. Schoppmeyer to figure of $62,301
Seconded by W. Case
Voted 5-5 with 2 abstentions………Chairman Keuenhoff voted in the affirmative
Amendment passed
Vote on amended motion of $62,301
Vote 5-5 with 2 abstentions………Chairman Keuenhoff voted in the affirmative
Motion Adopted for $62,301
4583 Patriotic Purposes $4250
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane Motion Adopted with 1
abstention
4611 Conservation Commission $650
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane Motion Adopted
4651 Economic Development $1.00
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Okrent Motion Adopted
4721 Interest Long Term Bonds $7,000
Moved by L. Small Seconded by W. Case
Moved to amend, by F. Hast- Seconded by H. Schoppmeyer- to increase figure
by
$1000 to $8000. Motion Lost 8-4
Original motion with figure of $7,000 Adopted
4326 Waste Water Treatment $364,437
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Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane Motion Adopted
Capital Outlay
4901 Land Purchase $24,879
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Deane Motion Adopted
4902 Current Cruiser Lease $28,116
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast Motion Adopted
Computer Replacement $18,150
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan Motion Adopted
Back to the Warrant Articles:
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty
Thousand Dollars ($30,000.) to be added to the Fire and Rescue Apparatus
Capital Reserve Fund previously established. (Reserve Fund balance is
$198,004.50 on 12-31-07) (Recommended
by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen)
(Estimated gross tax
impact $0.10)
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty
Six Thousand Dollars ($46,000.) to be added to the Department of Public Works
Dump Truck Capital Reserve Fund previously established. (Fund balance is
$65,776.74 on 12-31-07) (Recommended
by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen)
(Estimated gross tax impact $0.15)
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One
Hundred Thirty Five Thousand Dollars ($135,000.) to purchase a new dump truck
replacing the 1997 Ford N850 truck and authorize the withdrawal of Sixty Five
Thousand Dollars ($65,000.) from the Department of Public Works Capital
Reserve Fund. The balance, Seventy Thousand Dollars
($70,000.) to come from the unreserved fund balance. ( by the Budget
Committee)
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated gross tax impact $0.05)
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of
Fifteen Thousand
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Dollars ($15,000.) to be added to the Department of Public Works Grader
Capital Reserve Fund previously established. (Fund balance is $1,762.78 on 12-
31-07) ( Recommended by
the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen)
(Estimated gross tax
impact is $0.05)
Moved by L. Small Seconded by M. Vaughan
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of
Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.) to be added to the Department of Public
Works Loader Capital Reserve Fund previously established. (Fund balance is
$96,464.97 on 12-31-07) (Recommended
by the Budget Committee ) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen)
(Estimated gross tax
impact ($0.05)
Moved by F. Hast Seconded by L. Deane
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.) to be added to the Department of Public Works
Backhoe Capital Reserve Fund previously established. (Fund balance is
$43,420.78 on 12-31-07) (Recommended
by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen)
(Estimated gross tax
impact $0.03)
Moved by F. Hast Seconded by L. Deane
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.) to be added to the Sidewalk Tractor Capital Reserve
Fund previously established. (Fund balance is $11,300.60 on 12-31-07)
(Recommended by the
Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated
gross tax impact
$0.03)
Moved by F. Hast Seconded by L. Deane
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.) to be added to the Small Highway Truck Capital
Reserve Fund previously established. (Fund balance is $43,548.37 on 12-31-07)
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(Recommended by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of
Selectmen) (Estimated gross tax impact $0.03)
Moved by F. Hast Seconded by L. Deane
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three
Thousand and Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.) to be added to the Parks and
Recreation Capital Reserve Fund previously established. (Fund balance is
$8,047.09 on 12-31-07) (Recommended
by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen)
(Estimated gross tax
impact $0.01)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by F. Hast
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two
Thousand and Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.) to repair the Dustin Park Band
Pavilion and authorize the withdrawal from the Parks and Recreation Capital
Reserve Fund previously established. (Fund
balance is 8,047.09 on 12-31-07) (Recommended by the Budget Committee. )
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen)
Moved by L. Small Seconded by F. Hast
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten
Thousand, Five Hundred and Seven Dollars ($10,507.00) and to authorize the
withdrawal of Ten Thousand
Five Hundred and Seven Dollars ($10,507.00) from the Salt Storage Facility
Capital Reserve previously established to finish construction of said facility.
(Fund balance is $256,598.82 on 12-31-07 with $246,091.82 encumbered leaving
an unencumbered amount of $10,507.00)
(Recommended by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of
Selectmen)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by L. Okrent
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixty
Two Thousand Dollars ($62,000.) for the purpose of ambulance repair, to fund
eight hours of the forty-eight
hour work week and any ambulance overtime or on-call personnel budgeted
line items, paramedic intercepts, and for the replacement and repair of
ambulance equipment, and to authorize the withdrawal of that sum from the
Ambulance Replacement and Equipment Special Revenue Fund previously
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created, with no amount to be raised by taxation. This article is designated as a
special warrant article and the appropriation shall not lapse until adjournment
of the 2009 Annual Town Meeting. (Fund balance on 12-31-07 is $446,718.67)
(Recommended by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of
Selectmen)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by H. Schoppmeyer
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.) for the purpose of purchasing and
equipping an ambulance to replace the 1998 Unit 1 Ambulance, and to
authorize the withdrawal of that sum from the
Ambulance Replacement and Equipment Special Revenue Fund previously
created with no
amount to be raised by taxation. (Fund balance on 12-31-07 is $446.718.67)
(Recommended
by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (There
is no impact
on the tax rate)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by F. Hast
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500.) for the purpose of replacing the flooring
of the small and large meeting rooms of the Town Hall and to install hardwood
flooring, said sum to come from the Town’s undesignated fund balance.
(Recommended by the Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of
Selectmen) (There is no impact on the tax rate)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by L. Okrent
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to establish a Capital Reserve Fund under
the provisions of RSA 35:1 for the purpose of Computer System Renewal and
Replacement and to raise and appropriate the sum of Twelve Thousand and
Five Hundred Dollars ($12,500.) to be place in this fund. (Recommended by the
Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated
gross tax impact $0.04)
Moved by H. Schoppmeyer Seconded by M. Vaughan
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to approve the cost items in the collective
bargaining agreement reached between the Board of Selectmen and the
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Pittsfield Town Employees NHFT Local #6214, AFT, AFL-CIO which calls for the
following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level:
YEAR ESTIMATED INCREASE
2008 $39,863.15 2009 $35,318.77 2010 $38,324.49
and further to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Nine Thousand, Eight
Hundred, Sixty Three Dollars and Fifteen Cents ($39,863.15) for the current fiscal
year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in
salaries and benefits over those of the appropriation at current staffing levels
paid in Fiscal Year 2007. (Recommended by the
Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen.) (Estimated
gross tax impact
$0.13)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by H. Schoppmeyer
Motion Adopted 11-1
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to approve the cost items in the collective
bargaining agreement reached between the Board of Selectmen and the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local #633 of New Hampshire, which
calls for the following increase in salaries and benefits at the current staffing
level:
YEAR ESTIMATED INCREASE
2008 $19,698.24 2009 $7,124.76 2010 $5,090.56
and further to raise and appropriate the sum of Nineteen Thousand, Six
Hundred,, Ninety Eight Dollars and Twenty Four Cents ($19,698.24) for the current
fiscal year, such sum representing
the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits over
those of the appropriation at current staffing levels paid in Fiscal Year 2007.
(Recommended by the
Budget Committee) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated
gross tax impact $0.07)
Moved by L. Small Seconded by L. Vogt
Motion Adopted 12-0
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three
Million
Six Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand One Hundred and Thirteen ($3,665,113) to
fund the Town Budget and Capital Outlay as recommended by the Budget
Committee. Said sum does not include the sums contained in special or
individual articles of this warrant. (Recommended by the Budget Committee)
(Recommended by the Board of Selectmen) (Estimated gross tax
impact ($0.98) (The Town tax portion of the total tax rate of $23.92 is $7.42.)
Moved by R. Morse Seconded by M. Vaughan
Motion Adopted 12-0
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Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three
Hundred
Dollars ($300) to be added to the Animal Control Budget (2008) of Five
Hundred Dollars
($500.) to pay for Humane Society costs to drop off a cat. Cost for one is Thirty
dollars ($30)
(Submitted by Petition) (Not recommended by the Budget Committee)
Moved by H. Schoppmeyer Seconded by L. Vogt
Motion Lost 1-11
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five
Thousand
Dollars ($5000.) to be paid to the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield to help
defray the
Sixteen Thousand Dollars ($16,000) said church expended for municipal clock
repairs during August 2007.
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by L. Okrent
Motion Adopted with 2 abstentions
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to create an expendable trust fund under
the provisions of RSA 31:19-a to be known as the Town Clock Maintenance Fund,
for the purpose of repairing
and maintaining the municipal clock and to raise and appropriate the sum of
One Thousand
Dollars ($1000.) for this fund. (Submitted by Petition) (Recommended by the
Budget Committee)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by L. Okrent
Motion Adopted with 2 abstentions
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to accept the following Trusts:
a. Foss Family Pittsfield Town Scholarship Fund — $1,000,000.00
b. Florence D. Batchelder Scholarship Fund — $54,907.15
c. Frank & Virginia Charron Lot 2,500.00
For perpetual care of Mt. Cavalry Lot #169
d. Berkson-Carbon Lot 5,000.00
For perpetual care of the lot specifically located in the Floral Park
Cemetery Section 1 of the 1876 Extension adjacent and to the
northwest of the lots owned by Willis E. Leavitt and Ives G. Sargent.
Excess funds may be used to care for adjacent lots.
(Recommended by the Budget Committee)
Moved by M. Vaughan Seconded by G. Gilman
Motion Adopted 12-0
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Committee members are asked to sign the forms at Town Hall on Wednesday,
Feb. 20, 2008.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.
Joan M. Prue, secretary