Town of Atkinson

Budget Committee Meeting Minutes

January 11, 2007

Mark called the meeting to order at 7:46 PM. The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to review the proposed warrant articles and discuss. The Board will not vote to recommend or not recommend any warrant articles during this meeting. The Board will vote on the warrant articles at the Public Hearing on January 16, 2007.

Mark read all the money related warrant articles and the Boards discussions are documented below:

Brian informed the Board that he was a member of the Library Task Force appointed by the Selectmen to review options for the library. Brian stated that the Task Force has determined that a one-story library will meet the needs of the Town and will save approximately $500,000. He also stated that this will be the 3^rd time the voters of Atkinson will have an opportunity to approve a new library in the past 10 years. The cost savings are due primarily to going from two to one story building, removing the associated elevator and a reduction of approximately 1,000 square feet. Paul T. added the financing rates at this time are favorable. Paul S. stated that the Selectmen will determine the length of the bond (10, 15 or 20 years) and anticipated an impact on the operating budget of approximately $150,000 annually which equates to 15 cents per $1,000 on the tax assessments. The proposed library will be fully furnished.

This warrant article is in accordance with the Fire Department’s Capital Improvement Plan for obtaining vehicles.

Both Paul T. and Brian are in favor of this article. There is a master plan in process for the use of these funds. The Board also noted that there are several warrant articles this year to withdraw funds from the fund.

No funds will be raised and appropriated for this article. The town receives approximately $95,000 annually from the Cable Company via franchise fees. Approximately half is used to fund ACTV the balance is for this capital reserve fund. Paul S. stated that the Selectmen may not submit this article and instead, allow the balance of franchise fees go into the General Fund due to the uncertainty of school funding issues.

No discussion by the Board.

This warrant article will provide an exhaust system for the back half of the building. The front half currently has an exhaust system. Currently the vehicles in the back half are exhausted using hoses.

Previously discussed by the Board.

The Board determined that the wording needed to be corrected and that the -does not include the top coat… portion needs to be removed from both warrant articles. The board also determined that the article does not cover the complete cost of the road since the top coat is still included in the operating budget. Paul S. will fix the wording.

Dave had mentioned the last time a warrant article was put forth for an Elderly Affairs vehicle the town voted it down. Mark noted that the wording needed to change from Police to Elderly. Brian informed the Board that this department essentially operates as a wash. The annual donations, on average, equal the operating budget for the department. Chief Consentino, joined the meeting and informed the Board that he is still collecting donations for the van and that the actual number can be changed at deliberative session. He also stated that he plans to offset the annual 4-year lease payment of $6,750 by $3,000 from the donation account. The Chief also explained the escape clause is in all municipal lease agreements in the event monies are not appropriated in following years for the vehicle, the town can get out of the lease.

To replace the toddler playset at Tyke Towers – No Discussion.

This will finish the fence that was already installed last year.

This warrant article, if it passes, would increase the cost to the Town, but does not provide for any funding. Mark researched the situation and determined that there are 2 options:

Brian informed the Board that the purpose of this warrant article was to ensure that the best possible option for our communications issue is presented. He stated concerns of once a tower is built in the center of town, it will be there for a long time. Jim informed the Board that he’d sat in on several of the tower meetings and that the purpose of that task force was to find the best, and most cost effective, solutions to the communications issues. He also stated that several other options were reviewed, but were considered too expensive. It was also determined that the $15,000 is an estimate and that the true cost of this type of study could be less or more.

The Board was provided a revised warrant article, which the Board determined to be clearer than the previous draft reviewed. It was also determined that a credit card will be issued for the purpose of buying tickets. The Board is not sure if there is still a requirement for this warrant article.

If adopted, it will have some impact on the operating budget.

This has been tabled by the Selectmen. No discussion.

Mark informed the Board that Ruth Sawyer initially donated this land in 1978 with the intent that the land would be used for some type of municipal building or purpose. Brian stated that there have been several informal reviews of the land, but a professional survey will determine exactly what we have on that property and then we can better evaluate a use.

Mark informed the Board that all the minutes are posted on the website and he thanked Don Roberts for all his hard work. He also stated that he intends to put the budget on the website as well. Dave stated that he might want to limit the budget to the index.

Respectively submitted,

Kjb