Budget Committee - Minutes (Final)
TOWN OF EPSOM
BUDGET COMMITTEE
DECEMBER 1, 2016
Present: Marylou LaFleur-Keane, Chairman; Dave Fiorentino, Vice Chairman; Gary Kitson, Water District Representative; Virginia Drew; Joyce Heck; Hugh Curley, Selectmen’s Representative; Ralph Weeks; Joni Kitson; Mary Frambach; Penny Graham; Bill Yeaton, School Board Representative
Not in Attendance: Joanne Randall
Other Attendees: Nancy Wheeler; Chief Wayne Preve; Glenn Horner
Dave opened the meeting at 6:45 PM.
Minutes of November 29, 2016
The minutes of November 29, 2016 were reviewed and amended.
Virginia motioned to approve the minutes of November 29, 2016 as amended, Joni seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
Glen Horner discussed the proposed budget for the ZBA. He noted that there have been about 10 cases a year the past few years. He has reduced the budget by about 20% with the legal fees being dropped 10%; training was also reduced.
Dave asked if there were 12 or 13 cases would there be enough money in the budget. Glenn thought there should be enough funds to cover 12 cases depending upon the number of abutters. Glenn noted that the costs are covered by the applicant.
Virginia asked if there are new members would they be going to training. Glenn thought there would be, he noted that not all members attend trainings.
There were no further questions for Glenn.
Police Department
Marylou asked if members had reviewed the e-mail from Chief Preve with information regarding grants received by the Police Department.
Chief Preve noted there are not a lot of increases in his budget discussing the increases. He noted the increases in his budget and the lines that were reduced. He has requested $34,500.00 in the vehicle line. Chief Preve indicated that the Board of Selectmen made some adjustments to the budget. He is assuming they put $18,600.00 in the vehicle line with the assumption $15,000.00 in the 2016 budget would be encumbered. Funds were put into the Part-Time Line with the hopes to be able to employee a part-time officer.
A discussion occurred regarding the Town employing a part-time officer. The Equipment line would have to be increased by $2,200.00 for equipment for this officer. Chief Preve cautioned that a part-time officer is able to leave at any time. Purchasing a bulletproof vest was discussed with Dave asking if they could use a vest the officer might have from another town. Chief Preve discussed the issues with using another town’s equipment.
Chief Preve noted the standards have been lowered to enter the Police Academy. This is due to issues with recruiting officers throughout the State.
Chief Preve discussed he has requested pay raises for the officers. The BOS has put 75-cents an hour in for their raises.
Hugh noted he did not have an issue with taking $2,200.00 from the part-time officer salary line and adding it to the equipment line.
Virginia is concerned with the reliability of having a part-time officer. Chief Preve noted many retired officers will work part-time, especially so they are able to work details. He discussed towns that have part-time officers and the issues those towns have with part-time officers.
Joni asked if the part-time officers are trained the same as the full-time officers. Chief Preve noted the differences in training. He also noted they can only work 1300 hours a year. Bill asked the cost of sending an officer to the Police Academy. Chief Preve discussed the equipment and salary payments made when someone is attending the Academy. He estimated the cost at $30,000.00. Chief Preve noted the officer is supposed to give the Town a 3-year commitment upon successful completion of the Academy.
It was discussed that a person has to be employed by a town to be able to attend the Police Academy. Chief Preve discussed the process to hire someone; indicating it is a costly process.
Virginia asked the number of typical hours he puts in each week. Chief Preve noted he starts at 6:30 AM and leaves at 4:30 PM. It would be additional if he gets called out or there is training he attends. He is actually at work 50 to 60 hours a week. This does not include telephone calls he takes during his off hours.
Moving the funds into the equipment line was discussed.
Virginia motioned that $2,200.00 be moved from the Part-Time Line to the Equipment line, Ralph seconded the motion.
Chief Preve discussed taking the funds from his Fuel Line rather than the Part-Time Line. Chief Preve noted that overtime is an issue having to cover 19 weeks of vacation for the officers. This time has to be used within the year before the person’s anniversary.
The motion failed on a vote of 2 yes and 9 nos.
Virginia motioned to take $2,200.00 from the Fuel Line and move it to the Uniform Line, Joni seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Ralph asked why an officer who is on a detail is not available to handle an emergency, but has the vehicle running. Chief Preve noted it is for the lights. Ralph noted with LED lights a vehicle could sit for an hour without the vehicle running. Virginia noted there is reimbursement for this. Chief Preve discussed the costs of a detail.
Hugh asked about using the Morrison Fund for dispatch software. Chief Preve noted he has spoken with a dispatch person and they would meet with Hugh if he wanted to review the software. Chief Preve noted it is still in the discussion stage.
Chief Preve completed his presentation.
Dave motioned to adjourn, Virginia seconded the motion. The motion passed. Marylou adjourned the meeting at 7:48 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsy Bosiak
Recording Secretary