Town of Pittsfield
January 16, 2008
Budget Committee
Members present: W. Abbott, W. Case, L Deane, G. Gilman, F. Hast, C. Keuenhoff,
A.MacLellan, R. Morse, L. Okrent, J. Prue, H. Schoppmeyer, M. Vaughan. L. Vogt
(School Board rep).
Member(s) absent: L. Small
Others present: Scott Brown, Chairman of the School Board; Tobi Chasse, Director of
Student Services; Dr. John Freeman, Principal of Pittsfield Elementary School; Leon
Kennison, Town Administrator.
Meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by Chairman Keuenhoff.
Minutes of the January 2, 2008 meeting were accepted as written.
Leslie Vogt explained the school revenue and said that we should realize the revenue that
comes from outside of Pittsfield should not be overestimated as this could cause a large
increase in the tax rate. The estimated tax increase was $2.70, but because of
Unexpected revenue at the end of the year, the rate was only increased by $1.10.
The projection for the upcoming year is again at about $2.70.
Scott Brown stated that the assessed value of the town is about $310 million, one of the 5 lowest
towns in the state. This impacts the tax rate as the proposed budget is divided by the assessed
value which then equals the tax rate. The state gives more money through Catastrophic Aid to
towns with a lower per capita income and to towns with increased spending on special
education.
Scott Brown also gave figures about SB2 which is expected to be a Warrant Article in the town
election. Out of 243 towns in the state, 69 have SB2. 63 schools voted for SB2 before
2000, and 6 schools have voted for it after 2000. Several towns have attempted to remove
themselves from SB2 but have been unable to do so. Scott will get the report printed out
for members of the committee for our perusal at the next meeting.
In reply to a question about the SAU spending, last year Pittsfield contributed 47% of the
budget and Barnstead contributed 53%.
Leon Kennison handed out some minor budget changes. Members also received a Draft of the
Town Meeting Warrant Articles.
In brief:
Article IX.$100,000 to be added to the Economic Development Initiative Fund
Article X. To create a Municipal Buildings Repair and Maintenance Fund and to put
$50,000 into this fund.
Article XI. $195,000 to purchase a fire department ladder truck.
Article XII. $30,000 to be added to the Fire and Rescue Apparatus Capital Reserve Fund
Article XIII. $? Amount to be added to Public Works Dump Truck Capital Reserve Fund
Article XIV. $15,000 added to the Public Works Grader Capital Reserve Fund
Article XV. $15,000 added to the Public Works Loader Capital Reserve Fund
Article XVI. $10,000 added to the Public Works Backhoe Capital Reserve Fund
Article XVII. $10,000 added to the Public Works Sidewalk Tractor Capital Reserve Fund
Article XVIII. $10,000 added to the Public Works Small Highway Truck Capital Reserve
Fund
Article XIX. $3,500 to Parks and Recreation Capital Reserve Fund
Article XIXb. $2,500 to repair Dustin Band Pavilion
Article XX. $Withdraw $10,507 from salt Storage Facility Capital Reserve Fund to
finish construction of the facility.
Article XXI. $44,000 for ambulance repair, to fund eight hours of the 48 hour work week,
and for replacement and repair of ambulance equipment.
Article XXII. $$6,500 to replace flooring of the small and large meeting rooms of Town Hall
Article XXIII. Collective Bargaining Agreement for Town Employees – no settlement reached
Article XXIV. Collective Bargaining Agreement for Teamsters, Local #633 – no settlement
reached
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 7PM at the Town Hall.
Chairman Keuenhoff asked that the Board of Selectmen please have budget items to this
committee by November next year. It is very difficult for members to receive the figures on
the same day that they will be discussing them since they have no time to go over the line items
before the meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Joan M. Prue, secretary