Budget Committee - Minutes (Final)
Approved Marylou Keane 1-12-2017
TOWN OF EPSOM BUDGET COMMITTEE JANUARY 10, 2017
Present: Marylou LaFleur-Keane, Chairman; Dave Fiorentino, Vice Chairman; Gary Kitson, Water District Representative; Virginia Drew; Joyce Heck; Hugh Curley, Selectmen’s Representative; Joni Kitson; Mary Frambach; Penny Graham; Bill Yeaton, School Board Representative
Not in Attendance: Ralph Weeks; Joanne Randall
Other Attendees: Nancy Wheeler
Marylou opened the meeting at 6:30 PM.
Minutes of January 5, 2017 The minutes of January 5, 2017 were reviewed and amended.
Dave motioned to approve the minutes of January 5, 2017 as amended, Virginia seconded the motion. The motion passed with one abstention.
Nancy discussed that she had given the Committee the MS-7. She also gave the Committee a 2017 Estimated Revenues Sheet and reviewed some of the lines on it with the actual figures received for 2015 and 2016.
Nancy noted that 2015 was a good year for the collection of Current Use Taxes. She discussed how the tax was determined.
Virginia asked about Occupancy permits. Nancy noted the fee is rolled into the building permit fee. Nancy discussed when permits are required. You are able to remodel the interior of a building without a permit. If an addition or other new outside construction occurs on a building, then a permit would be required.
Hugh asked where the funds for the Police Department State Grants were shown. Nancy noted that they are not shown on the revenue sheet, but are put into the detail fund to offset the expenditures.
Virginia asked about the fees for Swimming Lessons. Nancy noted that money goes directly to the Red Cross and does not go through the office.
Marylou asked when the Budget Committee had to sign the Budget, etc. for posting. Nancy noted it had to be complete by January 30th. Nancy noted she would have it ready for signing by January 21st.
Virginia asked what line 01-4130.1-315 (Selectmen’s Professional Services) was spent for. She noted that she was trying to find funds as she would like to increase the pay for the bookkeeper of the Trustee of Trust Funds due to the amount of work that position requires.
Hugh discussed the money was used in 2016 for a title search on a parcel of Town owned land. He noted that some environmental work may need to be completed this year.
Virginia discussed she would like to move $600.00 to cover the salary increase. The amount required to increase the salary was discussed and determined.
Virginia motioned to move $484.50 from Line 01-4130.1-315, Executive/Selectmens Office Professional Services to the Trustee of Trust Funds Line 01-4130.4-130, Gary seconded the motion.
Marylou asked for discussion.
Hugh discussed the revisions made in the past asking if there is as much work to the position. Marylou noted the responsibilities of the bookkeeper for the Trustees and the reports that had to be generated. It was also noted that more funds are being created that have to be managed.
Virginia discussed that she looked at the various positions and the responsibilities within the town.
Marylou called for a vote, the motion passed with one abstention.
Gary asked about the increase in the Uniforms Line for the Highway Department and if the employees are required to wear them. Hugh noted that if the Town prescribes uniforms they have to be worn for safety. Hugh thought it would be determined by the work being done. Gary asked if the “Town of Epsom” would be on the uniforms, Hugh noted that it would be.
Penny noted there is $1,200.00 on the uniform line. Hugh did not know if it would be a shirt or a jacket purchased. Gary noted that steel toed shoes are also included in this line.
Bill asked the amount of the default budget. Nancy noted the default budget was $3,312,160.00. This is $36,060.00 less than the proposed budget.
Joni asked if Nancy had the amount to be returned to the Town for 2016, Nancy did not, but guessed it could be approximately $100,000.00.
The lines in the Highway Department budget were discussed with some lines being over spent and other lines having funds remaining.
Nancy discussed the amounts in the Executive/Selectmens Office Professional Services line and the various lines in the Trustee of Trust Funds budget lines.
Marylou reminded members the Public Hearing was Thursday.
Dave motioned to adjourn, Mary seconded the motion. The motion passed. Marylou adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsy Bosiak, Recording Secretary