Town of Veazie Budget Committee
Fletcher Municipal Building
25 March 2008
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: 6:03 PM (1803)
Present: Bill Reed (Town Mgr.), Suzanne Hart (Chair), Marilynn Bishop, Joan Perkins, Bill Hogan, Allan Thomas (CEO/Assessor), Kelly Clenchy (School Supt.), Scott Nichols (VZCS Prin.), Robert Young (Recrn. Dir.),Geo. Free (Public Works Dir.), Gerry Martin (Fire Chief), Mark Leonard (Police Chief), and J. Manter (recorder).
Department Reports
School Dept. - Kelly Clenchy & Scott Nichols discussed thee following:
- State of school budget – on course
- Status of school subsidy payment from the State – unknown
- energy costs – conversion to natural gas
- enrollment – down this year – projected to be down next year
- High School enrollment – stabilized
- Slated to receive another $224K of State Aid
- required mill rate – 7.6 last year – 6.6 next year
- New school district configuration projected for 2009
- Public Referendum necessary 7 days after Town Meeting
- Budget report – 11 reporting areas – program oriented and line item.
Fire Dept. – Chief Martin discussed these following:
- state of VZ Fire Dept. budget – on course
- new ambulance (#199) expenses
- mutual aid calls from Orono
- weather-related costs (hydrant shoveling)
- rising costs of motor vehicle fuel
- new fire engine coming – tools & equipment from Capital Budget
- costs of parts shipping and fuel up
- SCBA tanks – 15 year replacement for several
- Union contracts settled
- change of radio frequencies – next Thursday.
Public Works – Director Free discussed these following:
- weather issues – frequency of winter storms – “Winter to remember…”
- salt shed loss & replacement
- unexpected vehicle breakdowns – high parts replacement costs
- salt usage – very high (40 tons sold to Silver &Son Construction)
- early salt orders paid off
- new pick-up truck to be obtained
- compliments on snow plowing
- 4 streets will require re-construction
- state of VZ public works budget – over-budget, particularly with regard to employee overtime expenses due to frequent plowing.
Police Dept. – Chief Leonard discussed these following:
- Maine Drug Enforcement Agency owes VZ $13K
- budget – on track
- fuel budget – over by an estimated $3,000
- overtime expenses and loss of part-time officers
- feasibility of a new officer hired full time
- Waldoboro shooting incident fallout
- survey of PDs locally and State-wide: VZ lowest paid top & bottom
- increasing incidents – due to economy & drugs
- 4WD SUV type vehicle purchase same value as police car.
Recreation Dept. – Robert Young discussed these following:
- over budget for youth workers pay
- high turn-out for summer program
- scheduled 2 AM – 2 Pm; not leave single employee alone
- numbers and programs added
- ball field maintenance
- several events discussed.
Assessor – Allan Thomas discussed these following:
- no increase in house values
- Homestead exemption down 10%
- new 5-year Federal Storm water discharge permit process
- Code Enforcement – not many permit fees.
Town Finances - Town Mgr. Reed - These following were discussed:
- tax collection list – no increase of collectibles owed
- revenues and expenses report
- overall financial health: good
- revenues healthy
- callable funds worked out well
- Quarterlys – not ready yet
- revenue sharing - volatile.
School Committee Budget Presentation – tentatively set for April 7.
Minutes 22 January
Moved to approve: J. Manter
Seconded: Marilynn Bishop
Voted: 4 – 0 to approve as presented.
Adjournment: 7:20 PM (1920)
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