RE-CONVENED ANNUAL BOROUGH & BUDGET MEETING (Draft Minutes)
May 9, 2009 ~ 9 AM at
The annual Borough meeting was reconvened
at 9:00AM by Warden
Inasmuch as the meeting was a
continuation of the previous meeting, there was no need to appoint a new
moderator and Frederick Nicholas graciously continued. Following brief procedural remarks by Mr.
Nicholas, and a call for civility in the discussion, the meeting continued with
a review of the line item modifications to the budget which ensued following
the last version which was presented and the subsequent hearing called for at
the April 18, 2009, meeting.
The
line item reductions resulted in approximately a $70,000 reduction to the
budget representative of approximately at .15 lower mil rate which would be
required to fund the budget (mil rate to be set at a later date).
Burgess
Jeff Callahan moved the budget be accepted as proposed which was seconded by
Sandy Fromson.
Discussion
followed with the following specifics noted:
Line
105-Professional Services and Line 1501 Specific Funds had been reduced by $15K
and $35K respectively, and Frank Pandolfi asked for an explanation. Warden Maranell noted that the intent of the
last meeting was to reduce General Government, hence those funds had been reduced
Archie
Leslie pointed out the intent had been to reduce 7% from the General
Government, but instead the cuts were not coming from administrative areas but
instead approximately 30% of the decrease was coming from the street repair
funds, and street repairs are wholly inadequate as it is.
Ben
Blake questioned the Warden’s salary and also his raise as the Street
Commissioner, citing that all others had been reduced by 50%. Jeff Callahan responded by saying the two
positions put the Warden on the front line, and is therefore warranted. Burgess McCreary noted that in the past the
Street Commissioner did much less, and Burgess Blair noted that the salary in
this area was reduced in 2001-2002.
Questions
regarding the funding of the
It
was noted that the $20K from the State was always for the restoration of the
cannons and money from the Tree/Parks account has been earmarked for
landscaping. The remainder, including
the electrolytic bath at Texas A&M, are from private donations, most of
which is being handled by the SVIA.
Lynn
Callahan urged prompt passage of the budget as presented, citing the huge
effort made by the Board in its preparation.
Mary
Thacher questioned the 50% reduction in the Clerk/Treasurer’s salary and was
told the job has changed now that the Administrative Assistant is a full time
employee working a 40 hour week.
Sandy
Fromson wanted clarification of the Health Insurance benefits and their cost,
and Warden Maranell said that last year this was researched rather extensively
and that the Borough uses CIRMA which provides the least expensive coverages. He also noted that the Administrative
Assistant is the one additional full time employee covered by the plan,
resulting in approximately $12,000 for each of the three employees.
Ben
Blake asked who was covered and was told the three were Roger Collelo, Sue
Cordeiro, and Barbara Perry.
Following
some additional clarification and discussion, the motion was brought to a show-of-hands
vote and carried by a vote of 32 Approvals versus 4 Disapprovals. The mil rate will be set at a future meeting
of the Board of Warden and Burgesses and it is estimated that the mil rate will
probably be lowered to 1.85.
In
other action, Item 4 called for the adoption of a highway capital improvement
plan. The motion was made by Burgess
Callahan, and seconded by Burgess McCreary, and passed unanimously on a voice
vote.
In
other business, Ingrid Fedderson asked about Long Term Storage Units
(specifically Dodson’s) and how they might be taxed to raise more revenue. It was explained that there is no means to
tax a boat registered in another state, and only the trailer is subject to
Department of Motor Vehicles registration/tax procedures.
Dan
Dyer called for greater transparency in spending and asked that more
information be included on the website.
It was noted that the Profit and Loss Report is available every month
and lists the expenses. He also asked
that the individual funds be better explained so that residents know what
happens in each of them.
John
Ackley asked that the system of notification being used at the town level which
included email blasts to residents from the police department might be
extended. He also noted that he thinks
it is easier if this is informal and comes in via email rather than for
residents to actively seek out the information.
Jeff
Callahan seconded by Joyce Pandolfi moved adjournment at 10:37.
Respectfully
submitted,