Selectmen's Minutes
TOWN OF LYMAN 2011 BUDGET HEARING - FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Minutes prepared by Town Clerk Carol Messner
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Lyman, in the County of Grafton, and the State of New Hampshire, qualified to vote in the Town affairs:
You are hereby notified to meet at the Town Hall in said Town on TUESDAY, the EIGHTH day of MARCH 2011; polls to open at ELEVEN O'CLOCK in the morning and will not close before SIX O'CLOCK in the evening in said Town Hall, to act on Article 1, the remaining Articles to be considered at SEVEN O'CLOCK in the evening.
Article 1. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
On Tuesday, the 8th of February 2011, there was a Budget Hearing held at the Lyman Town Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Jim Trudell Selectman Chairman. He thanked all for coming. Others in attendance were the other Selectmen, Steve Moscicki and Bruce Beane, as well as Administrative Assistant, Donna Clark and Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Carol Messner.
The audience of 8 people viewed the "2010 Net Appropriation - Actual" "2011 Budget Summary - Proposed" on the overhead projector. Trudell began by noting that the estimated amount of taxes to be raised in 2011 @ $351,321 will be $16,977 over taxes raised in 2010 @ $334,344. This takes into consideration all estimated revenue, grants, donations and bonds. It amounts to approximately $.29 per thousand more in the tax rate. The school increase has been estimated at 2%. The first year of the two-year correction to fix the school's undercount of Lyman students is reflected here.
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Four Hundred Ninety Dollars ($347,490) to defray Town charges for the ensuing year. (Majority vote required) (Recommended by the Selectmen)
Trudell displayed the "2011 Proposed Budget as of February 3, 2011" on the overhead projector showing the 2010 budget, 2010 expenses and proposed 2011 budget. The individual warrant articles total a $4,170 decrease from the 2010 proposed budget. Trudell went line by line down through the figures. Any elaboration of importance is noted here. Financial Administration: All employees were budgeted a 3% increase in wages except the Town Clerk/Tax Collector was budgeted a 5% increase as that hourly wage seemed a bit low. Resident, David Simpson asked how salary is determined to be low and was told a listing of ranges is available to Selectmen. Trudell had asked Messner and Clark each to submit a list to the Selectmen of their accomplishments, knowledge gained, experiences and listing of classes taken in the last 2 years which he displayed saying he wanted residents to be aware that the employees were advancing for the town. The bookkeeper position (Clark) budgeted for the 3% increase plus an additional hour added as the work cannot be finished in 4 hours per week. Cartographic Associates continues to update the maps and charge an annual $1,000 maintenance fee. There is one election in 2011. Personnel Administration: The town offers 2-person insurance coverage for 4 employees. The premium decreased by 1% this year. D. Simpson asked if 80/20 coverage had been explored and the cost per employee. Last year employee co-pay was increased, deductible was increased, the emergency room co-pay was increased and the prescription cost to employees was increased. As the policy was downgraded last year and employee costs were increased and since the premium was reduced this year they did not explore the option but they will. Single coverage is $7,112, two-person is $14,223 and family is an upgrade at $4,978 paid by the employee. The policy is an HMO thru a Local Government Center pool. A four employee town does not wield a lot of power, he said. A recommendation by resident Mark Chain to check pool rates with Lisbon and Landaff will be investigated. General Government Buildings: In 2010, the shingle roof was replaced with a metal roof and the water tank was replaced. In 2011 the plan is to vinyl side the front of the building and install outdoor lights in both parking lots. D. Simpson questioned if the generator had been finalized and was answered that the funds have been set aside but that there are a couple last items to complete. It is a 20KW generator. We will pay just under $20,000 and will receive just under $10,000 from a grant. They plan to continue with the same cemetery maintenance company as other options proved much too expensive. The increase in budget of $500 is to begin repairing some of the stones. Other Insurances: Unemployment compensation benefits were increased from 26 weeks to 99 weeks so premiums nearly quadrupled. This is still less expensive than self-funding or participating in the State's program. Again it was suggested by M. Chain to compare rates with a Lisbon, Landaff, Lyman pool. Ambulance: Lisbon Life Squad was included in a warrant article in 2010 based on their ability to arrive more quickly than Ross Ambulance. They are presently a first-responder but they should begin transporting and will begin with one town as a trial. Therefore, the transporting fee is not included in our budget rate. D. Simpson noted that their rate increased nearly $400 in our first year of contract and questioned how many times the service had been used and the average time of arrival. That information will be available by the time of Town Meeting. Part of the Fast Squad cost increase was explained by saying that the state had mandated the purchase of a heart monitor which will be expended over 5 years and our portion is 21% of the first year's cost. Resident Craig Simpson asked if costs will be increased once Lisbon Life Squad begins to transport and was answered that it was very probable. The Life Squad is called out for more emergencies and fires than Ross is called out for thus the disparity in price between the two. Emergency Management: Lyman resident, Michael O'Brien has been hired as our new Emergency Management Director. He will work with Paul Hatch from HSEM, attend classes and be paid quarterly. Sanitation: We pay 21% of costs and get 21% of revenues (approx. $26,000 this year). It pays to recycle. Health: Trudell displayed the list of the 2011 Health Agency Appropriation Requests, their requested amounts and the number of Lyman residents assisted by them in 2010. Burch House is new. D. Simpson noted that the number of those served had in most cases decreased but that the Senior Center request had gone from $400 to $850 in 3 years. Debt Service: Loans are for the grader, the dam and the 10-wheeler. This is the last year for grader payments. Interest payments are down.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand One Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($267,125) for maintenance, expenses, salaries, supplies, equipment and street lighting for the Highway Department for the ensuing year. (Majority vote required) (Recommended by Selectmen)
M. Chain asked if the town had contacted DOT about improving State roads in Lyman and was told that is an ongoing and constant request. Road Agent, Tom Smith and Road Crew, Scott Stuart are budgeted for a 3% increase based on a 40 hour week, 200 hours of OT for Tom and 120 hours OT for Scott. Attention will be paid to grading, gravel, calcium chloride, roadside mowing, culverts and ledge pack on Skinny Ridge. D. Simpson asked why OT hours are increasing. The decision was made to pay OT for a 2 hour minimum if the men are called out to look at any situation. Stuart's OT was decreased. Trudell said he believes we have great people each doing a tremendous job and we don't want to give the farm away but we don't want to lose them. Summer paving & repairs budget is up to insure enough material is on hand. The price on diesel fuel may go up so that is a worry but we should be able to cover an increase between the 2 line item amounts. We have used a fair amount of sand this year with all the snow and will stockpile more to insure adequate reserves next year. Overall budget is up $15,000. The phone at the town garage includes direct TV not internet. A conversation of the broadband antennas being installed in Lyman by NCIC and the internet access via EZ-North ensued. They have only 3 customers up and running and will surely work to have many more connected in to the system to offset their costs. The town is not involved in this service except to grant them access to their antenna via the highway garage property.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) to be placed in the existing Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required) (Recommended by the Selectmen)
The audience viewed the 2011 Equipment Replacement Plan. It showed current highway equipment and the replacement plan based on adding $50,000 per year to the Highway Equipment Capital Reserve Fund. In 2010 we purchased a new CAT backhoe to replace the 1988 backhoe. This left a $55,000 fund balance. By adding to this fund annually the town should be able to maintain good equipment without borrowing. Insurance paid for a $40,000 motor in the 2007 10-wheeler so it's like a brand new truck again. The loan on the grader has a maturity date of 2011 and the 10-wheeler a maturity date of 2014. The total balance left to pay off all loans, (grader, 10-wheeler and dam) totals $157,808 which "is not bad at all" said Trudell.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Thousand Dollars ($8,000) to be placed in the existing Property Revaluation Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required) (Recommended by the Selectmen)
Trudell said the State requires a revaluation and update every five years and 2010 was the year for Lyman. The update cost $27,000 of the Capital Reserve Fund leaving us with a balance of $32,503.93. A full valuation may be needed in 2015 at twice the cost of the statistical update. Selectmen recommend that we continue to add to this fund.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) to be placed in the existing Building Repair & Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund. (Majority vote required) (Recommended by the Selectmen)
Trudell explained that we began this fund last year and it would be wise to add to it each year to cover maintaining the Town Hall building. It would be nice to be able to work on the Grange but we would need to look for a grant for that and not use taxpayer dollars.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200) to support Lisbon Main Street, Inc. (Majority vote required) (Recommended by the Selectmen)
This is a new request for 2011 by a private, not-for-profit organization working to revitalize Lisbon Main Street. Some of the organization volunteers are Lyman residents. They sponsor the Lilac Festival, summer concerts and the Farmer's Market.
Article 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to enter into a lease of access way with Northern Community Investment Corporation for a period of 5 years, with 5 potential extensions of 5 years each, for a total possible lease term across and through property owned by the Town on the northwesterly side of Dodge Pond Road (Tax Map 210, Lot 6) for the purpose of providing ingress and egress by vehicle or on foot to access lands and premises leased by Northern Community Investment Corporation from James M. Trudell and Donna M.L. Trudell for the purpose of the installation, operation, maintenance, repair, improvement, upgrade, or replacement of radio transmission equipment located upon the Trudell property for the transmission and reception of broadband signals. (Majority vote required)
Trudell said he receives free internet in exchange. The agreement will be revisited every 5 years to determine extension. There is a one year agreement in place right now.
Article 9. Polling hours in the Town of Lyman are now 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Shall we place a question on the state election ballot to change polling hours so that polls shall open at 11:00 am and close at 7:00 pm for all regular state elections beginning September 9, 2014? (Majority vote required)
Messner said that this Article is an attempt to correct the town's operating polling hours at the state level. The town voted these hours in 1999 but we need to put the question on the state ballot to complete the process.
Article 10. To transact any other business that may legally come before the Meeting.
Trudell thanked all for coming, mentioned the dates of the town meeting and the school meetings and closed the hearing at 8:10 pm.
