SelectBoard Minutes - January 15, 2008



Selectboard Budget Meeting Minutes
January 15, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Vern Stone, Sydney Veysey
Bob Hodge, Naomi LaBarr
Guests: Debra Kingsbury

The 2008 Highway Fund budget was discussed and the following noted:
a.. No crack sealing was done in 2007 but need to be scheduled for 2008.
b.. Bob is getting prices on guard rails for South Vershire Rd.
c.. The grader will need new blades.
d.. The backhoe/loader will need a new valve bank and 1 new piston on the loader cylinder.
e.. Cost of a mower rental for 2 weeks vs. a year was discussed. Bob will check on prices.
f.. A pole trimmer should be budgeted under other equipment.
g.. Many hand tools are needed in the parts and supplies line item.
h.. Paving costs for 2007 were subsurface work on South Vershire Rd; needs paving in 2008.
i.. The Selectboard will apply for a Class 2 paving grant in 2008 for Eagle Hollow Rd.; the town's share should be included under special projects.
j.. No large culverts are needed so there will not be an application for a structures grant. The Parker Rd. culvert will be replaced in 2008 under the grant received last year.
k.. Bridges by the town garage and on South Vershire Rd will need attention in the near future.
l.. Budget line items for the trucks should be raised; $2,000 per year per truck covers greasing and cleaning at 2 hours per week. Parts and labor rates for repairs are more expensive. Truck 2 needs new tires for next winter.
m.. Truck 1 should be replaced. Bob will meet with Vern to go over the quotes for a new truck.
n.. Pagers for the highway crew were discussed. Syd will investigate prices for pagers.

The 2008 General Fund was discussed and the following noted:
a.. No big expenses on the packer truck are expected; it needs a new radio.
b.. 2007 animal control expenses included the rabies vaccine for Chad.
c.. Assistant Clerk/Treasurer line item increased to $5000 due to extended hours and pay increase.
d.. Debra asked the town clerk and the treasurer salaries to be listed separately and a range stated for the positions so that someone without experience running for these positions would know what the compensation would be. Discussion followed.
e.. The 2007 insurance budget of 36,000 was a bad number last year. Expenses in 2008 were approx 47,500 and that did not include health insurance for a third person on the road crew. Estimated costs for 2008: dental insurance $1450, liability/workers comp $18700, Section 125 costs $626, health insurance $40100. Total budget suggested = $60,000.
f.. Property tax assessment on Mangala Shri Bhuti is ongoing; legal expenses should stay the same at $2000.
g.. Listers requested their expenses to remain the same and increase the salary line item to $7000 due to extra time needed in 2008.
h.. 2007 road signs expenses included house numbers; this can be decreased in 2008.
i.. Selectboard salary was over budget due to Vern being paid for 1 full year instead of 10 months. 2008 budget will remain the same and Vern should then be paid for 10 months.
j.. The second telephone line should be kept for a fax/lister phone line. This line item should be changed to read "telecommunications" and include email $180, internet $960, telephone $1800, and check scanner fees $325.
k.. Garage maintenance included a new salt shed in 2007. Other 2007 garage expenses were $12,100. 2008 proposed budget is $12000.
l.. Office expenses in 2007 included new lighting and break-in repairs; this budget can be kept the same.

Fund appropriations included in the General Fund budget were discussed:
a.. Cemetery Commissioners have not yet submitted their request.
b.. The Planning Commission is not requesting any funds for 2008.
c.. The Town Center normal operating expenses were approximately $11500. Other one-time expenses included a new well pump and miscellaneous expenses from the renovation. The Selectboard previously approved a grant for the restoration of the windows at a matching cost of $5350. Debra wants the match listed as a separate article. Naomi noted that the grant has already been accepted by the Selectboard. Discussion followed. The Town Center committee will attend the next meeting to discuss other items they feel should be budgeted for in 2008.
d.. Recreation Fund: no new items or expenses expected in 2008.

Articles for other special funds were discussed:
a.. Capital Equipment: new ton truck
b.. Capital Projects: new heating system for the town office to replace the electric heat.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Naomi LaBarr, Vershire Town Clerk/Treasurer