Town of Pittsfield
Budget Committee
February 7, 2007
Members Present: W. Case, L. Deane, C. Dustin, G. Gilman, C. Keuenhoff,
L. Okrent, M. Paradise (School Board rep), J. Prue, H. Schoppmeyer, L. Small
(Select Board rep), M. Vaughan.
Members absent: E. Bahr
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM by Chairman Dustin.
The minutes of the January 24, 2007 meeting were approved as corrected.
Mary Paradise presented the school Warrant Article IV which includes the cost
items from the collective bargaining agreement between the Pittsfield School Board and
the Pittsfield Teachers Association. Increases for the year 2007-2008 amount to
9.76% in salaries; for 2008-2009 a 5% increase; and for 2009-2010 a 5% increase.
Insurance caps are also increased for all three plans for all three years.
Under this agreement the starting salary for the first year of the contract would be
$27,978, for year 2 – $29,015, and for year 3 – $29,932.
The tax impact for the entire school budget would be approximately $2.60 if everything
in the budget passes as presented.
The Town Warrant Articles not previously given to the committee were then discussed.
Article 4 – to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $810,740 for
the purpose of implementing the Septage Pretreatment Project and to authorize the
issuance of bonds or notes will be open for discussion at a Public Hearing on February
20, 2007.
Article 14: To raise and appropriate $230,000 for purchase of a grader for the public
works department……….this has previously been for $105,000 for leasing the grader.
However the Select Board felt that purchasing the grader was a wiser choice than leasing.
Article 16: To establish a Shaw Road Bridge Capital Reserve Fund and to raise and
appropriate $65,000 to place in this fund.
Article 17: To create an expendable trust fund known as the Police Department Drug
Awareness and Education Fund and to raise and appropriate $10,000 for this fund.
Article 20: To create an expendable trust fund known as the Economic Development
Initiative Fund and to raise and appropriate $25,000 for this fund.
Article 21: To approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement
reached between the Board of Selectmen and the Pittsfield Town Employees which calls
for an increase of $41,087.00 in salary and benefits. This represents a 4% increase.
Article 22: To approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement
reached between the Board of Selectmen and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
which calls for an increase of $9,937 in salary and benefits.
Total tax impact of Town Budget would be $1.07 added to the School Budget totals
about $3.67.
This committee will meet on Monday, February 12, 2007 to vote on the Town Budget
and will meet again on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 to vote on the School Budget.
Public Hearing is tomorrow evening, February 8, 2007. All members are encouraged to
be in attendance.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Joan M. Prue, clerk