SOUTH BERWICK TOWN COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING- FISCAL 2009 BUDGET
APRIL 14, 2008
Chairman Suzanne Roberge opened the hearing at 6:30pm. Councilors present included Robert Gagne, Michelle Kareckas, Jean Demetracopoulos, and David Burke. Acting Interim Town Manager Roberta Orsini was also in attendance.
The purpose of the hearing was to receive public comment on the proposed budget for 2008/2009.
Ms. Roberge gave an overview of the proposed budget’s highlights. They include a new police officer position in January 2009, decreased hours for both the business office and transfer station, added funds to replace the audio recording system, added funds for a contingency fund, changes to the position classification plan and no transfer from the undesignated fund. Projected revenues are down by $635,411, expenditures have increased by $414,918, property growth has decreased by .29%, and the state income growth factor has decreased by .23%. The proposed municipal tax rate (excluding county and school) is $5.81.
Ms. Roberge went through the budget department by department. (If there were no questions on a particular budge, it will not be listed here).
#4125 Computer:
-Malcolm Kenney, Agamenticus Rd, questioned the repair/maintenance line. Mrs. Orsini explained that this line includes service contracts and licensing fees.
#4130 Administration:
-David Webster, Pond Rd, questioned the equipment line. It was explained that the line includes funds for a new phone/voicemail system and a sound system for the council chambers. A new photocopier in the planning office was deleted.
-Cliff Cleary, Spillane’s Hill, suggested that benefits should be included in the individual budgets, not grouped into a separate article.
-Paul Steinhauer, Hill Dr, asked if it was critical to replace the existing phone system. Mrs. Orsini explained that the current system is 10-11 years old and has been failing for the last 2-3 years. The voicemail system is not reliable and many messages are cut short or come through as blank.
-Rheinhold Holton, Emery’s Bridge Rd, asked what the $23,000 for a phone system would get us. It was explained that the entire system would be replaced; computer, circuit board, new phones, and software.
-John Rudolph, Oldfields Rd, questioned the salary and professional services lines. Mrs. Orsini explained that 1/3 of her salary is part of the administration budget, which also includes 5 hours a week for an assistant. The professional services line is for legal fees.
#4150 Tax Assessment:
-Paul Steinhauer asked about the salary line. It was explained that we share the assessing agent with North Berwick and projected revenue of $35,000 will offset the line.
#4160 Code Enforcement:
-John Rudolph questioned the salary increases in general, not specific to this budget. It was explained that the majority of increases are cost of living and some merit increases. Adjustments were made to several positions to fall in line with similar positions in similar sized towns as based on the Maine Municipal Associations annual salary survey. Ms. Roberge stated that the Council had considered changing the cost of living increase, but have historically tried to be consistent with the contract for police and dispatch.
#4171 Economic Development:
-Rheinhold Holton stated that this budget is the one that should be increased, not decreased.
#4185 Community Center:
-Paul Steinhauer asked if we are aggressive enough with our room rental fees at both the community center and town hall. Ms. Roberge stated that the fee for room rentals may be adjusted.
-David Webster, Pond Rd, questioned what repair and maintenance work was to be done at the community center and the town hall. It was explained that the town hall repairs include the furnace, elevator, electrical, brick work, and window cleaning & repairs. The community center is scheduled for painting, electrical, outside lights, and sill work.
-Norma Tutelian, Butler St, asked if the community center included the senior center and how many people enroll in the programs. Elita Galvin, Main St, stated that when she worked there, there were approximately 150 seniors paying membership dues.
#4190 Employee Benefits:
-Ms. Roberge explained that the major increases are due to FICA, Maine State Retirement, Major Medical costs, and Worker’s Comp.
-Ruth Boston, Emery’s Bridge Rd, asked what employees pay toward health insurance. It was explained that employees get 100% of single coverage paid by the town. Employees pay 20% of the cost for family coverage.
#4227 Emergency Management:
-John Rudolph questioned why a salary was added for the EMA Director in light of the budget crunch. It was explained that since 9-11 the Director has taken on a number of new responsibilities and has had to take time away from his job.
-Malcolm Kenney, Agamenticus Rd, asked how the hours have been expended. Blain Cote explained that he has spent over 289 hours training and about 170 hours working on the 2 floods.
#4230 Police:
-Rheinhold Holton asked for a breakdown on the overtime hours. Chief Lajoie explained that unlike most towns, we do not have an investigator so the officers have to do their own. This sometimes requires overtime.
-Mark Brown, Bennett Lot Rd, questioned whether new vehicles and equipment were necessary this year. He also commented that the amount for fuel was not enough. Chief Lajoie explained that PD has 5 vehicles that get rotated and South Berwick keeps its vehicles twice as long as most towns. A used vehicle was purchased last year. The department also has a no idle policy (except during storms). Planned equipment purchases include 2 body armor, portable radios, and 2 tazers.
-Cliff Cleary recommended that more mutual aid be sought.
-David Webster, Tamarack Dr, stated that if PD needs an investigator then we should have one. He also commented that in the private sector budget cuts often mean that employees pay more for their benefits.
#4240 Dispatch:
-David Webster, Tamarack Dr, asked if any of the increase was due to adding services for Eliot. Ms. Roberge stated that Eliot has decided to stay with Kittery. We do share with Berwick at a 60/40 split.
-John Rudolph suggested that it would make sense to revisit the idea of a regional dispatch. Ms. Roberge stated that a major equipment upgrade was just completed. She added that the Chief is still looking into contracting dispatch services to other towns. (This comment and response occurred during the discussion on the highway budget later in the meeting).
#4310 Highway:
-Nick Tsakiris, Emery’s Bridge Rd, asked what the cost of living increase was. 2.6%. He added that he doesn’t see how a cost of living increase can be justified.
-Bill Straub, Brattle St, asked where the regional maintenance facility could be found in the budget. It was explained that it is shown in the revenues.
-Rheinhold Holton commented on winter snow removal; stating that his road didn’t need to be plowed every half an hour. He questioned the increase in salt; adding that because of the over usage of salt his well had to be replaced. He recommended that the amount for snow removal be adjusted down.
-Bill Page, Wild Rose Ln, questioned the column of items not expended from the current budget. It was explained that these figures are as of December 31st and some items are not paid out until the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Page also asked how the budget process works moving forward. It was explained that after the public hearing the Council would meet in a workshop on Tuesday to discuss the comments made tonight. A final proposed budget would be presented to the voters at the town meeting in June.
-Dick Tetu, Hooper Sands Rd, stated that the plow trucks are out too early and too often.
-Pat Robinson, Brattle St, asked if the tree removal included pruning. She stated that a number of trees simply need some professional care and may not have to be removed.
-David Webster, Tamarack Dr, questioned why there is an increase for signs. Ms. Roberge stated that new signs have to be erected because of traffic ordinance changes.
#4325 Town Garage:
-David Webster, Pond Rd, questioned the large decrease in repairs/maintenance. It was explained that the waste oil furnace was replaced last year.
#4330 Transfer Station:
-Paul Steinhauer suggested that more revenue could be made from recyclables by using charitable organizations to help. Mrs. Orsini stated that liability issue would arise by people, especially children, volunteering at the transfer station.
-Cliff Cleary asked if the public would have any input on the proposed pay-per-bag program. Ms. Roberge stated that there would not be a public hearing; there will be public educational sessions.
-Dick Tetu stated that the employees could do a lot of the maintenance.
-John Rudolph asked if the budget includes the same days and hours of operation. Ms. Roberge stated that the budget reflects a cut in the hours: Wed 7-6, Fri 7-12, Sat 7-6, & Sun 7-12.
-Rheinhold Holton stated that closing one whole day during the week would be ok, but not Saturday or Sunday. Ms. Roberge stated that Sundays always presents a staffing issue. Mr. Holton also stated that he would rather pay $10 for the transfer station permit than go to pay-per-bag.
-Maynard Hanson, Brattle St, expressed his concerns with a pay-per-bag system, and the potential for an increase in road side trash.
#4470 Library:
-Elita Galvin questioned the amount for subscriptions for the Library and other departments.
#4510 Social Services:
-Lewis Newsky, Emery’s Bridge Rd, stated that it seemed foolish to pay someone $50,000 a year so that they can distribute $18,000.
CIP Debt:
-Ms. Roberge stated that currently there are three maturing debts, 2008, 2010, and 2015.
-Mark Brown questioned if this was the right time to purchase the St. Michael’s property.
-Gretchen Straub, Brattle St, stated that the budget was a normal budget; except it is over the LD1 limit by about $900,000. She stated that the town has, in the past, collected enough money to add extra funds to the “escrow” account. This practice stopped a few years ago, but should be reinstituted by policy. Mrs. Straub also urged that the town move forward with the purchase of the St. Michael’s property.
Capital Improvements:
-Rheinhold Holton expressed his concerns with what projects will or won’t be done. Terry Oliver stated that improvements will be made to Thurrell Rd, the end of Great Hill Rd, finishing Willow Dr, and some miscellaneous shimming and paving around the worst sections of town.
-Paul Steinhauer asked what the library reserve account was. It was explained that money has been set aside each year for several years toward the building of a new library. The $50,000 for the reserve account would cover the bond payment.
-Cliff Cleary asked what work would be done be done on sidewalks. No new sidewalks are scheduled, only repairs to the existing walkways.
Revenues:
-Mrs. Demetracopoulos stated that there has been an overall decrease in revenues of $635,000. Vehicle excise tax is down, building permits are down, and state revenue sharing residuals are at zero. The bright spot is that recycling sales have increased significantly.
-Audrey Fortier, Rodier Rd, asked how much the total cost of getting rid of the former Manager cost. The buyout was $102,000 and total legal fees are not yet available. Ms. Roberge explained that it was estimated that last year $300,000 would be ‘returned’ to the undesignated fund. However the $102,000 buyout of the Manager’s contract combined with the overage for snow removal means that there may not be any money ‘returned’ to the general fund for last year.
-Joe Rousselle, Old South Rd, received clarification that of the projected 18% increase in taxes, 7% is the town and 11% is the school.
-Fred Wildnauer, Witchtrot Rd, asked where our investment interest comes from. Bank accounts.
-Cliff Cleary asked how much money would have to be cut to bring the budget below the LD1 cap. Ms. Roberge explained that the amount is not readily available. She added that the state and municipal revenues are down and that is an area that really needs to be worked on.
The hearing was closed at 8:32pm.
Attest:
Barbara Bennett
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