Budget Committee - Minutes

TOWN OF EPSOM

BUDGET COMMITTEE

JANUARY 14 and 19 2016

Present: Marylou LaFleur-Keane, Chairman; Dave Fiorentino, Vice Chairman; Mary Frambach; Gary Kitson, Water District Representative; Penny Graham; Joyce Heck; Tracey Stephens; Bill Yeaton, School Board Representative; Hugh Curley, Selectmen’s Representative; Virginia Drew; Joni Kitson; Ralph Weeks

Not in Attendance:

Other Attendees: Dr. Gail Paludi, SAU 53 Superintendent; Karen Guercia, SAU 53 Assistant Superintendent for Special Education; Patrick Connors, Epsom Central School Principal; Don Harty; Jan Santosuosso, Epsom Teachers Association; Luci Weeks; Terry Riel; Tim Riel, Bob Paine, Ken Brown; Debbie Sargent; Nick Reid, Concord Monitor Reporter; Al Bush; Nancy Heath; Stephanie Calvin, ESSA; Amy Martel; John Carignan; Harvey Harkness; Richard Frambach; Wayne Preve, Police Chief; Stewart Yeaton, Fire Chief; Chris Pepin; Nancy Claris

January 19, 2016

Epsom Fire Station Meeting Room

Continuation of the Recessed Meeting

7:00 PM

All members of the Budget Committee were present. As there were many members of the public Present there was no attendance taken for the public.

Don Harty, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen conducted the Selectmen’ public hearing for Warrant Article 1. The Budget Committee members listened to and participated in the Selectmen’s public hearing (see minutes of the Selectmen’s public hearing). The public hearing for the Selectmen closed at 9:05 PM with Marylou reconvening the recessed meeting.

Warrant Article 1 Shall the Town raise and appropriate the sum of seven hundred ninety-eight thousand three hundred eighty-one dollars (798,381.00) to construct a Town Office building, including but not limited to site work, septic, water and parking, and authorize the issuance of not more than seven hundred ninety-eight thousand three hundred eighty-one dollars (798,381.00) of bonds or notes for that purpose in accordance with the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33), and to authorize the Selectmen to issue and negotiate such bonds or notes and to determine the rate of interest thereon, and further to raise and appropriate the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars (13,500.00) for the Bond Counsel fee and first year’s interest payment? (3/5 ballot vote required) [Passage of this article shall override the 10 percent limitation imposed on this appropriation due to the non-recommendation of the budget committee.] This is a Special Warrant Article and its appropriation is in addition to the operating budget.

Marylou indicated there would be no public discussion as it had been heard at the Selectmen’s public hearing.

Marylou asked if there was any new Budget Committee discussion.

Gary noted that when Chris Bowes spoke he noted the range to design and construct a new Town Office building it had a limit of $675,000.00. Gary noted that Norm Yeaton, a member of the Town Office Committee voted against the proposal as it did not meet the conditions of the Charter.

Hugh noted that the proposal was over by $60,000.00. He noted the figure was $738,000.00. He noted the Warrant Article was about the project presented and he did not see how the amount mattered.

Dave noted the amount was itemized.

Virginia noted she had received more calls regarding this article than how $10,000,000.00 was being spent in the School Budget. She noted the biggest issue was giving money for the Town Office. She did not embrace this article, but she has concerns regarding the continued use of the Town Office.

Penny noted she still had questions about the downstairs not being finished. She noted the Town could not count on grants and many of them have matching funds required. Penny noted that regarding the money from the undesignated fund, Keith Cota was wise in stating the Warrant Article should be for the total amount.

Joyce noted that the current proposal for the Town Office included money from the undesignated fund and thought both proposals should have the same considerations. She thought there should have been two Warrant Articles presenting both proposals with use of the undesignated funds. Due to this she is voting against the proposal.

Marylou noted the Town would have had to have two committees. Hugh asked what would happen if both proposals were to pass.

Nancy Wheeler noted the bond would require 60% of the votes to pass and both proposals would have to have a majority 3/5 vote.

Further discussion ensued regarding this proposal.

There being no Budget Committee discussion, Marylou closed the Budget Committee discussion period.

Ralph moved to recommend Article 1 for the Town of Epsom, Dave seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 7 yes and 5 nos.

Marylou will send a reminder regarding the school deliberative session and to have members go to the office to sign the Warrant for the Town Warrant Articles.

Hugh motioned to adjourn, Ralph seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Marylou adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy Bosiak

Recording Secretary