Town of Auburn

Budget Committee

January 12, 2012

 

 

Members present: Peter Miles (chair), Jim Headd, Judy Minakin, Al Samson, Bert Ouellette, Kathi Porter, Don Delande

 

Others present: Bruce Phillips, Nancy Pelton, Alan Villeneuve, Brian D’Amilio, Chris Trickett, Bill Herman

 

Meeting opens at 7:04pm

 

Acceptance of Minutes from January 5, 2012 meeting

 

A. Samson noted the dollar amounts had not been included in town warrants #5 and #6 and asked that they be included

 

Motion to accept the minutes as amended – B.  Ouellette          Second - K. Porter

All in favor, motion passes

 

There was a question about the ability of teacher to bank unused sick days, the procedure for that, whether or not accrued days are dispersed as a check when someone leaves, and if so how many days can be collected.  A short informational discussion about the topic followed, however no one present from the school board had a clear answer to the question

 

Town of Auburn Warrant Article: Replacement Fire Truck (Bruce Phillips, Fire Chief)

 

B. Phillips spoke about his proposal to the Selectmen concerning replacing a ten year old fire truck that is falling apart.  The truck has a hydraulic leak, problems with its electrical system and a broken body mount.  Chief Phillips is trying to get the American LaFrance Company to fix the mounts as they have broken twice, but they have been slow to respond.  Chief Phillips has proposed entering into a lease to purchase program for a new vehicle, with the first payment coming from the unexpended fund.  Following that the payments would roll into a lease purchase contract when a lease payment contract for another truck finishes.  B. Herman noted that legal counsel says the truck cannot be acquired in this fashion; one meeting cannot financially bind another meeting (?).  B. Herman said the town lawyer recommended a non-appropriations clause; the Selectmen can enter into a lease purchase with the first payment not due until 2013.  The 2013 and 2014 payments would come from the unexpended fund, and then in 2015 when the other lease is up the new truck’s lease would be rolled into it.  He added this is essentially what B. Phillips is suggesting only without the warrant.

 

A. Samson asked what the cost of the truck is; B. Herman replied $660,000, with a $100, 000 trade- in value, the cost of $560,000 would be spread over nine years, roughly $72,000 a year.  D. Delande asked what the interest rate for the lease would be.  B. Phillip responded 2.89% for nine years and 2.45% for eight years.  D. Delande asked who makes the truck.  B. Phillips replied the new truck would be from Emergency One, not American LaFrance like the old one. 

 

There was a short discussion about when the best times for the first payment, what type of truck the new one will be, and the length of time it takes to build a truck (nine months).  B. Ouellette said he would not want the town to make a payment until he knew the approval for a new truck passes.

 

B. Phillips said next year there is a good chance he will be coming into the budget committee with a pay increase request.   He feels it is time to move on and therefore time for the town to start looking for a part time Chief to replace him.  B. Phillips will be looking to increase the salary line for the purpose of this new position; he has already spoken with Adelle about adding an extra number to the salary line so it is not such a hit when this actually transpires.

 

A. Villeneuve, N. Pelton, and B. D’Amilio from the school board enter the meeting

Motion to adjourn – K. Porter        Second – B. Ouellette

 

Meeting closes at 7:25pm

 

Public meeting opens at 7:30pm

 

K. Porter brought up the topic of teachers un- used sick days again.  A. Villeneuve said he thought un-used sick days could only be cashed at retirement.  A. Villeneuve did not think someone that quits was entitled to take un-used sick days with them in the form of cash.  He also mentioned the teachers had a sick day bank that people could donate un-used days to; in addition the teachers are bound by a contract as far as when sick days can be taken in regards to extending a retirement date.  The discussion continued about banking, using and cashing in sick days.  A. Villeneuve said that there are a number of sick days allotted to each in their contract, and regardless of who donates it to the bank, every sick day has the same value.

 

At 7:37pm, a motion was made by K. Porter to open the public hearing.

 

School Warrant #2, asking for a salary increase of $48,534 and FICA increase of $9,197, totaling $57,731, was read by P. Miles

No comments

 

School Warrant #3, requesting an operating budget of $11,204,540, with a default budget of $11,263,527, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriations voted separately, was read by P. Miles

 

There was a short discussion about the lines not matching up, however it was determined the grand appropriations include what goes to the expendable trust but not the items covered one warrants #5 and #6, those items are not a part of the operating budget.  The total budget, including the appropriations would be $11,304,540.

 

Chris Trickett of the school board enters the meeting.

 

School Warrant #4, requesting $48,000 for the purpose of funding architectural and engineering fees associated with exploring the possibility of building an addition to the Auburn Village School was read by P. Miles

No comments

 

School Warrant #5, requesting $68,000 to be placed in the High School Transition Expendable Trust Fund established March 2011 for purpose of paying the costs associated with transitioning Auburn high school students from Manchester High School to Pinkerton Academy, was read by P. Miles

No comments

 

School Warrant #6, requesting $32,000 to be placed in the School Construction Expendable Trust fund, established March 2002, for the construction, renovation and expansion of school buildings and grounds, was read by P. Miles

No comments

 

Town Warrant # 3, requesting $33,740, to implement a mosquito control program, was read by P. Miles

No comments

 

Town Warrant # 4, requesting $50,000 be placed into the Town Building and Rehabilitation Capital reserve Fund, was read by P. Miles

No comments

 

Town Warrant # 5,  requesting $132,296 for road and drainage system improvements near the intersection of old Candia and Tower Hill roads, and on a portion of Raymond road  between Chester Turnpike and Dearborn road, was read by P. Miles

 

A. Samson asked what happens if the town does not receive the corresponding grant for this work?  B. Herman answered that the project would not be done, the amount of money needed by the town is 25% of the cost, and is expected to be raised by grants and surplus.

 

Town Warrant # 6, requesting $25,000 for the scraping and painting of the exterior of the Town Hall building, was read by P. Miles

There was a short discussion about paint types to be used, and the possibility of rhino siding the building.

 

Town Warrant # 6, requesting $4,786,431, with a default budget of $4,678,872, not including appropriations by special warrant or other appropriations voted separately, as the operating  budget of the town, was read by P. Miles

No comments

 

The budget was signed by the Budget Committee members

 

Motion to adjourn – K. Porter                    Second- J. Headd

 

Meeting closes at 8:05pm