Town Council Workshop‏

TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP

December 13, 2011

Things the Town Council and Town Manager won't tell you.

Present at the December 13, 2011 council workshop were Councilors, Chair Fern Larochelle,

Vice-chair Lori Pomelow, Lisa Ward, Roger Bickford, Gina Mason and Mark Lunt.

Also present were Town Manager Steve Eldridge and Town Clerk Twyla Lycette.

Also present but not allowed to speak, ask questions or make comments, was Dot Fitzgerald.

The topic was BUDGETS. An overview of the 2012/2013 budget.

The meeting began with the School Department budget.

Mr. Eldridge said in his conversations with School Superintendent Richard Green

that Mr. Green expects the 2012/2013 budget to increase by $250,000.

The school department is hoping the budget will go to referendum on May 8, 2012.

Note: We always voted on the school budget in June.

Why the early vote?

It wouldn't be because the town is trying to avoid the citizen's wishes to vote on the

town budget as we do on the school department?

Twilia said that the cost of each referendum/election is approximately $3,000.

So, voting on the school and town budgets separately would cost more money. Do it together you dummies!!!!!

Eldridge trying to save money? Really???

Mr. Eldridge said to expect the town budget to increase by $36,000 due to increases in

normal expenses, i.e. insurances, etc.

The Fire Department is also looking to increase their budget, to bring their capital

improvement plan back on track. Public Works says they will need an additional

$250,000.

I thought that by combining Public Works, Transfer Station, Solid Waste and 

Town Engineer under one manager was to save money.

Where are the savings Ryan?

Keep in mind that one mil increase is an additional $45.000 on $100,000 of property valuation.

Fern asked that each councilor to voice their opinion as why they voted the way they did.

He feels the 2011/12 budget was bare bones. He said that in spite of that some

peoples taxes went up anyway.

Note: real estate taxes increased due to the property valuation adjustment required

by the State. Remember the real estate and personal property fiasco created by

Eldridge's friend, former assessor Pat Dow?

Lori's comments were that our town roads are in deplorable condition, especially Route 196.

Road improvements should be a priority in the next fiscal year.

Does that include Scotsdale Street Lori?

Her comments were echoed by new councilor Lisa Ward.

Lisa said that although she does not pay real estate taxes, she would not want

to see a tax increase. The higher cost of gas and groceries is hurting everyone, she said.

Mike Bowie would like every town employee to receive a lump-sum, one-time bonus.

He cited the lack of pay increases and the "way they have been treated in the past"

The way to justify it to taxpayers is the 80% valuation minus the homestead

exemption, plus the fact that property values go down each year. 

I'm wondering what planet he lives on?

Even Fern had a hard time understanding that one!

He, Mike, feels a capital improvement plan is a good idea.

He said that when at the Transfer Station one day he spoke with a man who

moved here from Massachusetts. The town he lived in increases taxed by one mil

each year. The extra was designated for capital improvements. Everyone expected it.

It would seem that Mr. Bowie has a short memory. Has he forgotten the $10,000

pay increases just given to a select few department heads?

Gina Mason emphatically stated she does not want to see any increases in taxes!

We need to make cuts in the budget. She suggested making more use of Beaver park,

such as allowing overnight camping for a fee.

Mike Bowie jumped on that one. He would combine the Parks Department with

the Recreation Department. Savings would be realized by demoting Verla Brooks

as department head. She does not need to be there 24/7. He said that if there was

a problem at the Park, all wold be needed is a phone call to the police department.

they would be there in minutes. (!?) In minutes? Could it be that they are already there?

Doing what?

A change of heart Gina, who always voted yes on everything?

Note: Can you imagine the vandalism if Verla was not there 24/7?

How about combining the Police and Fire Departments  Mike?

Create one Public Safety Department.

Retiring Chief David Brooks would be a huge savings.

Fern would go to department heads to look for effectiveness, than give bonuses.

Ask them to do more with less. Mike suggested departments reduce staff.

Mark Lunt echoed the fact that roads are bad. Can we fund 100% the next fiscal year or 50%?

would support tax increases, but would have to show taxpayers "we are trying to make cuts".

Note: Mark does not pay real estate taxes either.A tax increase would not affect him.

Roger Bickford can see a tax increase of 3 mils. Just kidding he said at the looks he was given.

He fees the taxpayers cannot afford a tax increase.

Eldridge, find effectivness. Roads are important. Consolidation. Would put parks, gardens mowing under parks.

That's just moving expenses from one department to another. No savings there. Hiding money again?

Fire Department capital improvement plan not realistic.

He is expecting cuts in valuation.

Well Yah! Personal property has been removed from the former Knight Celotex plant.

 Equipment is being removed from the former Worumbo Mill buildings.

Businesses are closing left and right.

Are Development business loans to failed  businesses being paid?  

And The Family Circus Continues.