Allenstown Budget Committee

Minutes – 6/6/2002

Members Present: David Eaton, Gene Vallee, Jennifer Morin, Colin Egan, Robin McAfee, Sandy McKenney, Carol Angowski, Tom Irzyk

Excused Absent: Don Bergevin, Henriette Girard, Karen Gendreau, Gabby Daneault

Others Present: David Jodoin

Dave Eaton called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.

Dave indicated that he had letters of resignation from Jesse Rodger and Lois Gagne. Between working and school, Jesse just cannot make the meetings and Lois is now a full-time police officer in Allenstown. Gene asked if it was a law that prohibited Lois from being on the committee. David indicated that only part-time employees can be on these committees.

Sandy made a motion to accept the letters of resignation, Gene seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Colin suggested that the board send a letter to Jesse and Lois thanking them for there time with the Budget Committee. Colin made a motion that letters be sent, Gene seconded. Jennifer stated that it should be part of the by-laws. Carol volunteered to write the letters. The motion passed unanimously.

Tom Irzyk indicated that there were no changes from the last school expense reports. When the close of school comes, then the report will be finalized, then the next report will be more complete.

Gene asked David if the Town was over budget on any lines. David indicated that it had been a mild winter so, the salt, sand and overtime budgets for the Highway Department was in good shape.

Carol asked why the Executive Department was over in postage. David stated that they filled the postage meter. He also indicated that the balance in the repairs and maintenance of the building will be used up. The electrical service at the gazebo must be moved. The poll snapped during the winter and it will cost about $700 to repair, it will also cost approximately $200 to fix the lights out front of the Town Hall. Some of the windows also need to be repaired. If there is any money left then the floor behind the photocopier will need to be repaired.

The Fire Department part-time payroll is in line. The brush fire season has not arrived yet, so this may change.

Health Officer/Animal Control Officer – this line is at $557. Last year the Budget committee removed the salary line and placed this amount under supplies because the kennels were supposed to be done. This project was completed in 2001, so that salary line will end up going over this year, but will be covered by the supply line.

Jennifer said that she thought it was readjusted. David stated that it is all the same line. So as long as it is not overspent, it should be fine. Dave asked if there currently was an animal officer. David stated yes, it is Scott Eaton, who is also a part-time fire officer.

Carol asked what was repaired in the Civil Defense budget, David indicated that this was a generator. The maintenance agreement invoice was for January to December 2002.

Colin asked which vehicle the animal control officer was using. David stated that it was a cruiser. The legal council is looking into whether the animal control officer is legally allowed to use a police cruiser. The Chief was looking into getting a used pick-up truck for the animal officer to use since there is an expendable capital reserve fund that could be used.

Colin asked about the Fire Chief’s truck was in for repairs. Was it fixed? David indicated that it cost a little over $1,000 to fix the truck. The fuel pump went, it cost approximately $800 to have it repaired. This truck has been an expensive project. The Selectmen have decided that no more money will be put into the truck. Jennifer if the Town was paying to put gas into the truck. David indicated that the Chief fills up the truck with diesel at the Highway Garage. A running log is kept by each Chief of the fuel used in each vehicle.

Jennifer asked about the Park and Recreation budget, David stated that he had not seen any invoices to him for billing. She also asked about the salary line, was it the amount paid to Tammy before she left? Has any money been spend on the Renaissance Project, not yet. Colin asked if the recreation building was being used at all, Jennifer stated that the building is being vandalized. David stated that someone who needed to do community service, had gone down with Jim Rodger and cleaned up the brush, vacuumed the inside of the building, the canteen was moved to the Highway Garage. There are still some roof problems at the building.

Dave stated that he thought it was planned to get the roof fixed. David indicated yes it was, but no one wanted to go down and do it. Al found someone who gave them a quote. He gave a quote of $2,400. David submitted the bill to the insurance company, there is a $1,000 deductible, the Town received a check for $1,400. The person never comes to do the work. Now the quotes are over $3,000.

Currently working on the lease agreement for the Highway Department Garbage Truck. It will be approximately $17,000 per year.

The parking lot of the fire station has been paved and there is $3,200 left over. This will help cover the cost of a fence.

Dave indicated that he had written letters to all the department heads regarding the Budget Committee subcommittee for each department.

The committee then reviewed the minutes of the April 18, 2002 meeting. Gene made a motion to accept the minutes as written, Tom seconded. The motion passed with 2 abstaining votes (Colin, Sandy).

Colin indicated that he had reviewed the web page and found some errors. He sent an e-mail to Art Houle and copied members of the committee and volunteered to help with the web page. Some of the corrections have been made and he has not heard anything.

Jennifer asked if it would be a good idea to place an article in the Banner regarding the two openings on the committee? The committee felt this was a good idea. Anyone interested could fax a letter to the Town Hall. Colin stated that he could put it in the Banner and the Concord Monitor.

Dave updated the committee on the Master Plan meeting. There will be a survey handed out June 22, 2002. The committee is looking for volunteers for subcommittees. The subcommittees will be History and Culture, Population and Economics, Housing, Natural Features, Community Facilities, Transportation (Police and Fire), Existing and Future Land Use. These meetings will not begin until September. There will be one meeting each month for about four months.

Residents are asked to return their surveys by July 17. It will take until September to get all the data tabulated. Sandy indicated that the surveys would be handed out at each home. The envelopes will be stuffed on June 20 and 21. Art, Dave and Jim will coordinate the distribution.

Tom asked what types of questions were being asked. Sandy indicated they are asking how many adults are in the home, household income, what type of services would you like to see in Town, etc.

Colin asked if the surveys would be coded or numbered. Sandy said no.

Tom shared some of the latest State data as far as funding is concerned. Currently Allenstown spends $1,253 less per year than the New Hampshire average to educate each student. The Allenstown’s expenditure per student is the 12^th lowest in New Hampshire. Just to come up to the State standard, we are $800,000 short. Allenstown student to teacher ratio is the 7^th highest in the state.

We are also 4.5 times less than the average spent on improvements and facilities. We currently have the 10^th lowest starting teacher salary in New Hampshire. Allenstown’s average teacher salary is $4,000 lower than the New Hampshire average and the number of teachers having an advanced degree is 3 times higher in the other towns.

Carol asked if it was taken into consideration the size of the Town, the tax basis, etc. We can’t compare ourselves to Bow, Manchester, etc. Tom agreed that there is a lot to consider. Colin asked where the information had come from. Tom indicated that it had come from the State.

Carol stated the Department of Education has a website and all this information is on it. Tom stated that the State average cost per student is about $6,800 and Allenstown is just under $5,500 per student.

Gene stated that if counties funded the schools it would be better. Tom stated that it had been discussed and Governor had not agreed. Tom stated that a county makes a huge difference on how you can fund things. Our county is a rich county and it would benefit everyone.

Gene asked if any areas had been overspent, Tom indicated that no each line item has been right on the line. We are currently looking at some surplus spending for a handicapped access to the playground, and handicapped accessibility to the bathrooms at ARD.

It was all things that the Town was in violation of and with everything being voted down, we were warned by the auditor to become compliant.

Carol if they were going back to the drawing board as far as the facilities is concerned. Tom said they were going to try again.

The next meeting was set for Thursday, September 19, 7 PM at the Town Hall.

Tom made a motion to recess, Carol seconded. Meeting was recessed at 7:57 PM.