Selectboard Budget Meeting Minutes – January 8, 2018

NEWFANE SELECTBOARD

BUDGET MEETING MINUTES

January 8, 2018

 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Marion Dowling, Shelly Huber, Christopher Williams, Mike Fitzpatrick, Gary Delius (via telephone)

OTHERS PRESENT:   Shannon Meckle, Melissa Brown

 The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Marion Dowling, Chair.

AMENDMENTS/ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

A motion was made by Gary Delius and seconded by Christopher Williams to amend the agenda to “REVISIONS TO EXPENDITURES” and to add Highway Crew Pay Increases to the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

 HIGHWAY CREW PAY INCREASES

 A motion was made by Mike Fitzpatrick and seconded by Christopher Williams to increase highway crew hourly wages by $.50 per hour for Fiscal Year 2019.  The motion carried unanimously.

 REVISIONS TO GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

 Shannon went over revisions to General Fund Expenditures, outlining the additions to the Special Appropriations line items.

 Special Appropriations: Discussion ensued regarding Newfane Anew’s request for an increase from $1,000 to $2,000.00 Shannon outlined the answers to the Board’s questions from the last budget meeting.  A motion was made by Mike Fitzpatrick and seconded by Christopher Williams to approve the request for $2,000.00.  The motion carried with Christopher Williams, Mike Fitzpatrick, and Marion Dowling in favor; Shelly Huber opposed; and Gary Delius abstaining.

 A motion was made by Gary Delius and seconded by Mike Fitzpatrick to approve the Special Appropriations division in the amount of $93,514.00.  Gary noted that this is an increase of $2,219.00 from last year. The motion carried unanimously.

 Windham Solid Waste Management District: Shannon reported that the WSWMD budget and proposed assessments passed on Thursday night and that Newfane’s assessment would be $15,100.00  Discussion ensued regarding what services would be provided for that amount.  A motion was made by Gary Delius and seconded by Christopher Williams to approve the Windham Solid Waste Management assessment in the amount of $15,100.00. The motion carried unanimously. 

Road Maintenance: Shannon reviewed changes made to the Road Maintenance division of the budget, adding a line item for Road Materials to cover new material needed for compliance with the General Roads Permit law.   A motion was made by Christopher Williams and seconded by Mike Fitzpatrick to approve the Road Maintenance division in the amount of  $421,000.00. The motion carried unanimously. 

Equipment Repair: Shannon reviewed changes made to the Equipment Repair division of the budget, adding funds for a repeater for the new radio system.  A motion was made by Mike Fitzpatrick and seconded by Gary Delius to approve the Equipment Repair division in the amount of $58,500.00. The motion carried unanimously.

Total Town and Highway Expenses:   A motion was made by Shelly Huber and seconded by Mike Fitzpatrick to approve the Total Town and Highway Expenses in the amount of $1,387,935.  Mike made mention of the increasing costs. The motion carried unanimously. 

GENERAL FUND REVENUE

After review and discussion, a motion was made by Mike Fitzpatrick and seconded by Christopher Williams to approve the General Funds Revenue in the amount of $1,387,935.00. The motion carried unanimously.

HIGHWAY PLOW ROUTE ISSUE

The Board discussed policy for employees plowing their own properties with town equipment.  After discussion, a motion was made by Mike Fitzpatrick not to maintain any road that is not a legal town road and that only highway employees who live in the town continue to have permission to plow their driveway.  The motion was seconded by Christopher Williams. The motion carried unanimously. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Regarding a land dispute, a motion was made by Mike Fitzpatrick to enter into Executive Session  to discuss pending or probable civil litigation, because premature general public knowledge would clearly place the public body or a person involved at a substantial disadvantage. The motion was seconded by Gary Delius. The motion carried unanimously. 

The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:02 p.m.

A motion was made by Mike Fitzpatrick and seconded by Christopher Williams to enter into regular session at 7:16 p.m.  The motion carried unanimously.

A motion was made by Gary Delius and seconded by Christopher Williams to authorize the Town Attorney to answer the summons based on his guidance and advice.  The motion carried unanimously. 

NEXT MEETING

The final budget meeting will be held January 22, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

ADJOURN

A motion was made by Gary Delius and seconded by Mike Fitzpatrick to adjourn at 7:20  p.m.

The motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully Submitted,

Shannon Meckle