Town of Atkinson
Budget Committee Meeting Minutes
January 5, 2010
Attending: Jim Blackadar – Chairman, Steve Giangregorio - Vice Chairman, Dave Paquette, Valerie Tobin, Fred Thompson, Harold Morse, Bill Bennett ex-officio
Jim called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. The Board reviewed the December 29, 2009 minutes.
Steve motioned to accept the minutes as adjusted/Seconded by Dave/Unanimous 7-0
The Board established the revenue as follows:
Jim opened the discussion to determine if there were any additional adjustments to the budget. Harold had provided the Board information from Chief Murphy that there is only $560 of IT costs in the Fire budget this year and that he would like the balance reinstated to his new equipment line. The Board determined that the Computer line would need to be adjusted as well.
Jim Motioned to transfer $2,500 from line 41506.430.00 (Maint/Support/Upgrade) to line 42202.740.00 (Fire – new equipment)/Seconded by Harold/Unanimous 7-0
Jim provided a revised disposal contract number for 2010 which has an estimated amount of $554,846. The Board had established an amount of $575K. Jim also stated that there are still variables that can change (tonnage, fuel adjustment). The Board determined that reducing the amount to $570K would cover additional adjustments.
Jim Motioned to final the disposal contract at $570K/Seconded by Harold/Motion passes 5-2
Dave noted a math error in our motion for the Library the previous week of $2,000.
Jim motioned to final the library budget at the corrected amount of $355,147/Seconded by Fred/Unanimous 6-0
Valerie provided an analysis of the Atkinson, Kingston, Hampstead and Sandown police departments. The analysis was 2 part. Part one is a direct comparison of each Town’s similar expenses which included Labor, dues, training, telephone, printing, binding office supplies, new equipment uniforms and cruiser costs. The total costs for this analysis is as follows:
Atkinson $564,007
Kingston $615,407
Hampstead $627,441
Sandown $504,075
Part 2 provided miles of road, population, number of vehicles, number of arrests, number of calls and number of officers with some schedule information.
Valerie stated there were several lines to discuss for reductions to include Legal, Dues, Training, Telephone, Office Supplies & Uniforms. The Board determined that it would be better if the Department Head was present for the discussion. The Chief will be invited to the next meeting.
Valerie motioned to remove $75K from the Police Dispatch/Motion dies.
Jim asked if there were any other budgets to be discussed. Nobody had anything else to discus. Jim informed the Board that at the next meeting the Board will begin the preliminary review of warrant articles, review the MS-7, and have the Police Chief in.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2010 at 7:00 PM.
Fred motioned to adjourn the meeting/Seconded by Steve/Unanimous 5-0. Jim adjourned the meeting at 8:33 PM.
Respectively submitted,
kjb